Before-and-after character count: explain the difference

When editing to meet a character limit, compare the old and new strings under the same counting method. Record which text was removed and whether meaning or required details were lost. Watch for invisible changes such as a non-breaking space, newline, or combining mark that can affect counts without obvious visual differences. Recount after formatting or localization. A shorter number is useful only if the final message still communicates what it must.