How long should a meta description be?

There is no perfect fixed length, but many pages use roughly 140 to 160 characters as a practical target.

Does Google always use my meta description?

No. Search engines may rewrite snippets based on the query, but a good description still helps.

A meta description should summarize what the page offers. It does not need to stuff keywords or repeat the title exactly.

Good descriptions help searchers decide whether the page matches their problem.

Generic descriptions like best online tool are weak because they do not explain what the page actually does.

Mention the task, result, and useful feature when possible. A specific description is more helpful for both visitors and search engines.

Search engines may rewrite snippets, but a strong description still gives them a useful option to show.

Open Graph previews are also worth checking when the page may be shared in chat apps or social platforms.