Why pixels instead of characters
Search results show titles in a fixed-width box. A title full of narrow letters (i, l, t) fits more characters than one with wide letters (M, W) or capitals. The checker estimates the width with the Arial font metrics at 20 px and flags titles over about 580 px, which is where desktop results usually cut them.
The 50 to 60 character rule of thumb is a rough version of the same limit. The pixel estimate is more precise, but no tool can be exact: result layouts change and differ by device.
Writing a good title
- Put the main topic first, and the brand at the end if you include it.
- Make each page's title unique: duplicates make it harder to know which page to show.
- Describe the page honestly: a title that doesn't match the content is often rewritten by the search engine.
Frequently asked questions
Is a truncated title bad for rankings?
Not directly. The full title is still read; only the visible part is shorter. But a cut-off title can hide the words that make people click.
Why does Google show a different title than mine?
Google sometimes builds the title link from the H1, anchor text or other headings, especially when the title is too long, stuffed with keywords or doesn't match the page.
Should the title and the H1 be the same?
They can be. The title is written for search results and browser tabs, the H1 for readers on the page; many sites use a short variant of one for the other.