SMS Message Examples
Ready-to-use 160-character SMS message templates for business, appointments, marketing, and customer service. All examples fit within standard SMS limits.
💡 SMS Character Limits:
- Standard SMS: 160 characters (GSM-7 encoding)
- With emojis/special chars: 70 characters (UCS-2 encoding)
- Longer messages: Split into multiple segments, charged accordingly
Appointment Reminders
Healthcare
Doctor Appointment Reminder
Hi [Name], reminder: Your appointment with Dr. [Last Name] is on [Day] at [Time]. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule. [Clinic Name]
134 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Salon/Spa
Salon Appointment Reminder
[Salon Name]: Hi [Name]! Your haircut appointment is tomorrow at [Time]. See you soon! Reply CANCEL if you need to reschedule.
126 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Professional Services
Generic Appointment Reminder
Appointment reminder: [Date] at [Time]. Location: [Address]. Questions? Call [Phone]. Reply YES to confirm. - [Business Name]
125 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Order & Delivery Updates
E-commerce
Order Confirmation
Thanks for your order #[OrderID]! We're preparing your items. Track your order: [ShortURL]. Questions? Reply HELP. - [Store Name]
129 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Shipping
Delivery Notification
Your package will arrive today between [Time Range]. Track: [ShortURL]. Make sure someone is home to receive it. - [Company]
124 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Food Delivery
Food Order Ready
[Restaurant]: Your order is ready for pickup! Order #[ID]. Pick up at [Address]. Enjoy your meal!
97 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Marketing & Promotions
Retail
Flash Sale Alert
FLASH SALE! 30% off everything! Today only. Use code FLASH30 at checkout. Shop now: [ShortURL]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. - [Store]
132 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Restaurant
Special Offer
[Restaurant Name]: Buy 1 Get 1 FREE on all entrees this week! Show this text when ordering. Valid until [Date]. See you soon!
125 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Birthday/Loyalty
Birthday Discount
Happy Birthday [Name]! 🎉 Here's a special gift: 25% off your next purchase. Use code BDAY25. Valid for 30 days. - [Store Name]
126 characters with emoji/special characters – Unicode, 2 SMS segments (70 limit; remove the emoji to fit in 160)
Customer Service
Service Update
Service Delay Notification
We're running 15 minutes behind schedule. Your appointment at [Time] is now expected at [New Time]. Apologies for the delay! - [Business]
137 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Payment
Payment Reminder
Payment reminder: Invoice #[ID] of $[Amount] is due on [Date]. Pay online: [ShortURL]. Questions? Call [Phone]. - [Company Name]
128 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Feedback Request
Customer Feedback
How was your recent visit to [Business]? Share your feedback: [ShortURL]. Your opinion helps us improve! Thanks, [Name]
119 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Verification & Security
2FA/OTP
Verification Code
Your verification code is: [123456]. This code expires in 10 minutes. Never share this code with anyone. - [Company Name]
121 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Account Alert
Security Alert
Security alert: New login detected on your account from [Location]. If this wasn't you, reset your password immediately at [URL].
129 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Event & Registration
Event Reminder
Event Tomorrow
See you tomorrow at [Event Name]! [Date] at [Time]. Location: [Venue]. Check-in starts at [Time]. Bring this text for entry. - [Organizer]
138 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Registration
Registration Confirmation
You're registered for [Event]! Confirmation: [Code]. Date: [Date], Time: [Time]. Details: [ShortURL]. See you there! - [Organizer]
130 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Cancellations, Alerts & Urgent Messages
Short, factual texts for when plans change. State what happened, what the reader should do, and when they will hear more – and avoid promising anything (such as refunds) you have not decided yet.
Cancellation
Event cancelled (no refund implied)
[Event] update: Tomorrow's [race/event] is cancelled due to [reason]. Please do not travel to the venue. Further information will follow by email.
146 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Cancellation
Class or session cancelled
[Org]: Today's [class] at [time] is cancelled. We're sorry for the short notice. Your next session is [day] at [time]. Reply with any questions.
144 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Alert
Weather / closure alert
[Org] ALERT: [Site] is closed today, [date], due to [severe weather]. Do not come in. We will text by [time] with an update.
124 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Personal
Emergency pickup request
I'm safe but we have to evacuate [place] now. Can you pick me up at [meeting point] as soon as possible? Call me on [number] when you're close.
143 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Health
Health screening invitation
[Clinic]: Free health screening this Sat [date], 9am-1pm at [location]. Book your slot: call [phone]. Reply STOP to opt out.
124 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Staffing
Open shift for casual staff
[Unit] has open shifts: [day] [start]-[end]. Reply YES with your name to claim one. First replies confirmed by [time]. Thanks!
126 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Services
Benefit payment & next appointment
[Agency]: Your payment of [amount] was issued on [date]. Your next appointment is [date] at [time], [place]. Call [phone] to change it.
135 characters – 1 SMS (GSM-7, within 160) ✓
Best Practices for SMS Texts
Check any message with the SMS character counter before sending. More templates: marketing SMS, verification codes, appointment reminders.
- Get permission - Always get opt-in consent before sending marketing messages
- Include opt-out - Provide clear unsubscribe instructions (e.g., "Reply STOP")
- Identify yourself - Include your business name in every message
- Be concise - Get to the point quickly; respect your customer's time
- Time appropriately - Send between 9 AM - 8 PM in recipient's timezone
- Add value - Make messages useful, exclusive, or urgent
- Use short URLs - Bit.ly, TinyURL, or custom domains to save characters
- Test first - Send test messages to verify character count and formatting
- Avoid spam words - Excessive caps, "FREE!!!", multiple exclamation points
- Comply with laws - Follow TCPA (US), GDPR (EU), and local regulations
Pro tip: Use our Character Counter to verify your SMS fits within 160 characters before sending!