Key takeaways
- eBay gives you 80 characters for a title. eBay’s own seller guidance says to use as many as you can, with the most important keywords first.
- Use this order: Brand, item type, style or model, size, color, key feature.
- Write the words a buyer would type, not sales talk. “Amazing” and “L@@K” do not help.
- Keep the title, item specifics and photos telling the same story.
The 80-character title formula
An eBay title is a search tool, not a slogan. Buyers type words into a search bar, and eBay matches them to titles and item specifics. If the word is not in your title, you may not show up.
Brand, gender, item, color and detail, then size. This title uses 60 of 80 characters, so there is room for one more true detail such as the era or fit.
The formula works for most items: Brand + Item type + Style or model + Size + Color + Key feature. Move words around if your category needs it, but keep the brand and item type near the front, because titles can be shortened on smaller screens.
Write titles in a Google Sheet or Excel column and add =LEN(A2) next to it. You will see the character count instantly and stop guessing at 80.
Build a title in 6 steps
- Read the tag. Brand, size, fabric and style name are often printed right on it.
- Name the item type. “Trucker jacket” beats “jacket”, and “midi dress” beats “dress”.
- Check sold listings. Search similar items and filter to sold. Note which words the sold titles share.
- Put the words in order. Use the formula, brand and item type first.
- Count the characters. Aim to use most of the 80, with real keywords only.
- Compare to item specifics. If the title says Medium, the size field must say Medium.
Formulas by item type
| Item type | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | Brand + Gender + Item + Style + Color + Fabric + Size | Patagonia Better Sweater Men’s Fleece Jacket Full Zip Navy Blue Size Large |
| Shoes | Brand + Model + Gender + Item + Size + Color + Material | Nike Air Max 90 Men’s Running Shoes White Black Size 10 Leather Mesh |
| Handbags | Brand + Style name + Item + Color + Material + Hardware | Coach Willis Crossbody Bag Women’s Brown Leather Gold Hardware |
| Electronics | Brand + Model + Storage + Color + Lock status + Condition | Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB Graphite Unlocked Excellent Condition |
These are examples to copy the pattern from. Always check the exact model, size and color on your own item.
Find the words buyers actually use
- Search autocomplete. Start typing the item on eBay and see what it suggests.
- Sold listings. Pay attention to model names, nicknames and sizes that appear in titles of items that sold.
- Spell brands and models correctly. A typo hides your listing from the exact shoppers who know what they want.
- Do not copy another seller word for word. Borrow the ideas, then describe your own item accurately.
What to leave out
- ALL CAPS shouting and strings of symbols
- Filler like “WOW”, “L@@K”, “must see” and “great deal”
- Unrelated brand names added to catch traffic. eBay’s rules treat this as keyword spamming.
- Repeated words that use up characters without adding meaning
- Details you cannot confirm, such as an era or “authentic” without proof
Abbreviations: NWT, EUC and friends
Resellers love shorthand. NWT means new with tags, NWOT is new without tags, and EUC is excellent used condition. Buyers do search some of these, but not all buyers know them. A safe rule: spell the condition out in the description and item specifics, and only keep a short abbreviation in the title when you have room and buyers in your category use it. See our condition grading guide.
Before you publish: checklist
- Brand and item type are at the start
- Size, color and key feature are included
- Uses most of the 80 characters with real keywords
- No filler, no ALL CAPS, no unrelated brands
- Matches the item specifics and the photos
- Spelling of brand and model double-checked
Quick answers (FAQ)
How long can an eBay title be?
eBay titles can be up to 80 characters, including spaces.
Should I use all 80 characters?
Using most of them with real keywords usually helps. Do not pad with filler. If you have nothing true left to add, stop.
Do emojis or special characters help?
No. They use up characters without adding search value, and some do not display correctly. Stick to plain words.
Should I put the condition in the title?
Only if it adds a real search term, such as New with tags. Put the full condition in the condition field and description.
Does word order matter?
Put the brand and item type first. Titles can be shortened on smaller screens, so important words should not be at the end.