Landing page headlines
Website Hero Headline Character Count
A hero headline has one job: help a visitor understand the page quickly enough to keep reading. Character count will not save a vague headline, but checking length helps keep the message scannable on desktop and mobile screens.
Hero headline vs SEO title
The SEO title is written for search results and browser tabs. The hero headline is written for the first screen of the page. They can share the same core promise, but they do not have to be identical. Use the Meta Title Length guide for search titles and use this page for the visible landing page headline.
Practical character ranges
| Page element | Practical range | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Hero H1 | 35 to 70 characters | Can a visitor understand the main offer at a glance? |
| Subheadline | 80 to 160 characters | Does it explain audience, outcome, or proof? |
| Primary CTA | 2 to 5 words | Does it describe a clear action? |
| SEO title | Often around 50 to 60 characters | Does it match the page promise without stuffing keywords? |
Headline formulas that stay clear
- Audience + outcome: "Marketing teams write clearer landing page copy."
- Tool + task: "Count words, characters, and reading time online."
- Problem + result: "Fix long headlines before they wrap awkwardly."
- Action + benefit: "Check your page headline before publishing."
Pre-publish workflow
- Paste the H1, subheadline, and CTA into the Character Counter.
- Compare the hero H1 with the SEO title from the Meta Title Length guide.
- Use the Keyword Density Checker to confirm the main topic appears naturally in the first section.
- Remove vague modifiers before removing the core promise.
- Read the headline on a phone-sized screen and check whether the first line still makes sense. Then review the full page with the Landing Page Copy Checklist.
Related tools
Character Counter, Keyword Density Checker, Landing Page Copy Checklist, Meta Title Length, and Meta Description Character Count.