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When sending SMS messages, characters like curly quotes (“ ”), em dashes (—), or accented letters (é, ü) can trigger Unicode encoding — drastically increasing your segment count and cost.
This tool replaces those characters with their closest GSM-safe alternatives, so your messages stay clean, efficient, and compatible with global carriers
Instructions:
1. Paste your original message in the box above.
2. Click “Convert” to generate a GSM-safe version.
3. You’ll see a summary of the changes, character replacements, encoding type, and estimated segment counts before and after.
4. You can also customize the replacement map as needed.
What is GSM encoding in SMS?
GSM encoding is a standard character set used in SMS messaging to reduce message size and cost. It supports 160 characters per message. If you stick to GSM characters, you can send more text per segment and avoid unnecessary fees.
Why do Unicode characters cost more in SMS?
Unicode characters trigger a different encoding system that reduces the max characters per SMS to just 70 per segment. That means a single message could be split into multiple parts — doubling or tripling your costs instantly.
Which characters are not GSM compatible?
Characters like curly quotes (“ ”), em dashes (—), accented letters (é, ñ, ü), emojis, and symbols outside the basic Latin set are not GSM-compatible. These will trigger Unicode encoding unless replaced.
How can I check if my message is GSM or Unicode?
You can use the Unicode to GSM Converter above to paste in your message. It will show you exactly which characters are problematic, replace them, and calculate your SMS segment count before and after.
How do I reduce SMS costs when sending marketing messages?
Always check your message for Unicode characters before sending. Stick to plain text when possible, and use tools like this to convert and clean your messages. This alone can cut your SMS bill significantly. Check out our guide on slashing SMS Costs here.
Can I send emojis in SMS?
You can, but they will always trigger Unicode encoding and reduce your character limit to 70 per message. If you’re running large-scale SMS campaigns, it’s often better to avoid them or use MMS.
