Requirements

To send SMS messages, you need:

  • An SMS-capable phone number
  • Sufficient credits in your account
  • Proper automation flow setup

SMS Segments

SMS messages are split into segments:

  • Each segment is 160 characters for standard ASCII text
  • Or 70 characters for Unicode (special characters, emojis)
  • Longer messages are automatically split into multiple segments
  • You are charged per segment sent

For example:

  • “Hello! How are you?” (16 chars) = 1 segment
  • A message with 200 ASCII chars = 2 segments
  • A message with emojis and 100 chars = 2 segments

Costs

SMS pricing varies by:

  • Destination country
  • Number of segments
  • Type of content (standard/unicode)

Monitoring & History

Track your SMS activity in the dashboard:

  • Delivery status
  • Timestamp
  • Number of segments
  • Cost per message
  • Recipient details
  • Content preview

Best Practices

  1. Message Length

    • Keep messages concise
    • Monitor segment count
    • Use standard characters when possible
  2. Compliance

    • Include opt-out instructions
    • Follow local regulations
    • Respect quiet hours
  3. Testing

    • Verify number capabilities
    • Test delivery to different carriers
    • Monitor delivery rates

Want to start sending SMS? Check out our automation platform documentation to learn how to set up SMS workflows.