Privy bases our text message cost on the number of segments used for each message — when you hear the word “segments”, you might think of the ones you build for your Email and SMS lists, but SMS message segments are different. This article will explain what message segments are, and how they impact the number of SMS credits you use each month.

What is an SMS Message Segment?

An SMS Message Segment is a unit of measurement that mobile carriers use to charge for text messages. They typically have a character maximum of 160 simple characters. Messages with special characters, such as emojis, have a character maximum of 70 characters.

MMS Segments

If you’re sending an MMS message (a text message including an image), your message segment has a character maximum of 1,600 characters.

Multi-Segment Messages

If your SMS message exceeds 160 simple characters, it will be split into multiple segments. Once your message contains two or more segments, the maximum number of characters decreases to 153 per segment. If your SMS message contains an emoji and exceeds 70 characters, it will be split into multiple segments. Once your message contains two or more segments + includes emojis, the maximum number of characters decreases to 67 per segment.

How does this impact message cost?

Sending text messages in Privy requires a plan with SMS Credits. The amount of SMS Credits used to send your message is dependent on how many segments your message requires. Here is a breakdown of credit cost, based on recipient location and message type:
USACA
SMS Segment13
MMS Segment35

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