Truncate a String
Cut a string down to a given length. Runs entirely in your browser, so your data never leaves your device.
0 chars · 0 lines
Output
The result appears here as you type.
How to use Truncate a String
- 1. Paste the string. Enter the text you want shortened into the input pane, whether it is a single long line or several lines of varying length.
- 2. Set the Max length. Enter the maximum number of characters to keep in Max length, matching a limit like a tweet character count, a database column width, or a UI label constraint.
- 3. Choose per-line truncation and the ellipsis. Turn on Truncate each line separately to apply the limit to every line individually rather than the whole block, and turn on Append when truncated to add an ellipsis marking where text was cut.
- 4. Copy the truncated result. Copy the shortened text out of the output pane, now fitting within the length limit you specified, ready to paste into the field or system that enforces it.
When to use Truncate a String
Truncate a String cuts a piece of text down to a maximum length, optionally appending an ellipsis and optionally truncating each line of a multi-line block independently. Use it whenever text needs to fit a hard character limit.
- Fitting a product description into a card. A UI card component only has room for around 60 characters of description text, and truncating longer descriptions with an ellipsis keeps the layout from breaking.
- Meeting a database column width limit. A legacy database column caps a text field at a fixed number of characters, and you want to preview exactly what gets stored if a longer value is inserted.
- Shortening a title for a social media post. A platform truncates post titles or captions after a certain length, and you want to see and adjust exactly where your text would get cut off before posting.
- Trimming each line of a multi-line list. You have a list of comments or log entries where every individual line needs to be capped at the same length, rather than truncating only the very end of the whole block.
Examples
Keep the first 10 characters
Input
The quick brown fox
Output
The quick …
About the Truncate a String tool
Truncate a String runs as plain JavaScript in your browser tab, with no server behind it. Cut a string down to a given length. Whatever you put in stays on your device from start to finish.
The tool is part of EditSafely's String Tools section, 159 single-purpose utilities built around the same idea: open the page, get the result, keep your data to yourself.
You can shape the output with 3 settings, including Max length, Truncate each line separately and Append … when truncated, and the result refreshes the moment you change one. A worked example further down the page shows exactly what the tool produces for a real input.
That local-first design has practical benefits beyond privacy. The tool keeps working on a flaky connection once the page has loaded, results are instant because nothing round-trips to a server, and it is safe to use with confidential material.
Frequently asked questions
Is Truncate a String free to use?
Yes, it is completely free. All 2,658 tools on EditSafely work without an account, a subscription or usage limits.
Is it safe to paste sensitive or confidential data?
Everything happens locally. Your browser downloads the tool's code once, then does all the processing itself; nothing you enter is transmitted, stored or logged. You can even go offline after the page loads and it will still work.
How much text can I process at once?
There is no fixed limit. Because the work happens on your own device rather than on a shared server, the practical ceiling is your machine's memory, which comfortably handles inputs far larger than typical online tools allow.
Do I need to sign up or install anything?
No. The tool works in any modern browser on desktop, tablet or phone. There is no account to create, no extension to add and no software to install.
How do I use the result?
The output panel has a one-click copy button, and you can keep refining the input while you work; the result updates in place as you type.