Common text abbreviations and how to use them

As advocates of SMS marketing best practices, we would be remiss if we don’t acknowledge the rise of text slang and abbreviations.

What are abbreviations for texting?

Text abbreviations are shortened versions of a word or phrase used to save time. They’re also helpful when you have to stay within a limited character count.

In the past, deciphering text-speak abbreviations was for cool moms and dads who wanted to fit in with their teens.

Today, businesses of every size are starting to recognize the value of incorporating text abbreviations into their campaigns to attract, engage, and foster relationships with their customers.

Learning text abbreviations is a must for any marketer who wants to keep up with the speed and brevity of today’s bite-sized communication style.

The challenge is to adapt to text-ese (an evolving language by itself) and be able to use abbreviations while maintaining proper texting etiquette and providing value at the same time.

If you’re still baffled every time you read IIRC, BRB, and IDK, this cheat sheet of SMS abbreviations and internet acronyms commonly used is for you.

Why your business needs text abbreviations

Sure, text abbreviations might make your brand look and sound a little cooler, but that’s not the real reason you’ll want to use them. Text abbreviations reduce the character count of SMS messages, and that can save your business money.

You see, when you’re sending SMS, you are limited to just 160 characters per message. If your text exceeds 160 characters, it gets split into multiple messages. Of course, if you send more text messages than necessary, you may incur unnecessary costs as well. Text abbreviations help you get your message across without using up valuable characters.

Note: MMS messages provide a much higher character count of 1,600, but they also cost a bit more than sending SMS messages.
You can totally overuse text abbreviations and make a mess of your messaging. However, if you add them strategically and make sure they’re clear to your recipients, they are a helpful tool in your SMS marketing playbook.

The most popular SMS abbreviations

1. Asap – As soon as possible: Can you send me that report asap?
2. Atm – At the moment: I can’t talk, I’m at work atm
3. BRB – Be right back: Sorry, just grabbing a coffee – BRB!
4. Brt – Be right there: Found the place, brt!
5. BTW – By the way: I’m on the way, BTW should I bring anything?
6. FTW – For the win: Did you see the game last night? Bills FTW!
7. FWIW – For what it’s worth: FWIW, I think it’s going to rain anyway.
8. Fyi – For your information: Fyi, the meeting is at 2 pm today
9. Hbu – How about you: I’m doing great, hbu?
10. HMU – Hit me up: If you need anything just HMU!
11. IDK – I don’t know: The traffic’s delayed me, IDK what time I’ll get there!
12. Ig – I guess: I mean if you’re going too ig I will
13. IIRC – If I remember correctly: IIRC, he still works there.
14. IMHO/IMO – In my humble opinion/in my opinion: IMHO, coffee is way better than tea.
15. Istg – I swear to god: If this traffic doesn’t let up I’m gonna be late, istg
16. Iykyk – If you know, you know: That deli down the street is the best lunch place around. Iykyk
17. LMK – Let me know: LMK if you need anything from the grocery store.
18. LOL – Laugh out loud: That’s so funny, LOL!
19. Ngl – Not gonna lie: Ngl, I’m ready for Friday
20. NVM – Nevermind: NVM about grabbing the chips, I found some at home!
21. OG – Original gangsters (used for old friends): You’ll love her, she’s one of my OGs!
22. OMG – Oh my God/goodness: OMG I can’t believe that happened!
23. OMW – On my way: I’ve just left, OMW now!
24. Ong – On god (I swear): I’m way too sick to work today, ong
25. OOTD – Outfit of the day: What’s your OOTD? I don’t know which shoes to wear!
26. Rq – real quick: Can you check the deadline for me rq?
27. Sm – So much: You’re a lifesaver, thank you sm
28. SMH/SMDH – Shaking my head/shaking my darn head: I can’t believe you just said that, SMH.
29. TBD – To be determined: The time and place is TBD!
30. TTYL – Talk to you later: I’ve got to run, TTYL.
31. Wya – Where you at: Just got here, wya?
32. Yw – You’re welcome: Thanks for the help, yw

Romantic text abbreviations

Texting abbreviations can be casual, but you’ll also need quick and easy ways to tell that special someone you’re thinking about them.

1. BF – Boyfriend
2. GF – Girlfriend
3. ILY – I Love You
4. MCM – Man Crush Monday
5. WCW – Woman Crush Wednesday

Other common text abbreviations and acronyms

This list of SMS abbreviations and Internet acronyms is far from complete. Like culture, text-ese evolves over time. As a result, new acronyms and SMS abbreviations are introduced and used every day.

 These are a few of our favorite text abbreviations that you can be confident most people will know. Give one a try today!

Common texting slang

Like text abbreviations, texting slang can be confusing if you’ve never encountered them before. Take a look at the most common slang examples below.

1. Gucci – Good, cool. Ex. “I got us tickets to the concert.” “Gucci.”
2. It gives/it’s not giving – It’s good (or “It reminds me of…”)/It’s not good. Ex. “Yeah, I saw the weather for tomorrow, it’s not giving.”
3. Lowkey – Moderately; kind of. Ex. “This new song is lowkey my favorite.
4. Mid – Mediocre. Ex. “I don’t know, that movie was kind of mid.”
5. No cap – No lie; I’m not lying. Ex. “Did you get tickets to the concert for real?” “No cap.”
6. Sending me – Used to describe something that excites or humors you. Ex. “This new song is sending me!”
7. Slay – Good (or an acknowledgment like “okay”). Ex. “Did you see Lady Gaga’s Oscar look? Such a slay.”
8. Sus – Suspicious or suspect. Ex. “I got us tickets to the concert that’s sold out.” “That’s sus.”
9. Vibe – A general feeling, a mood (usually a good one). Ex. “We had a great time, it was a total vibe.”

Social media text abbreviations

1. AMA – Ask me anything
2. BR – BeReal
3. DM – Direct Message
4. ELI5 – Explain like I’m 5
5. FB – Facebook
6. FBF – Flashback Friday
7. FF – Follow Friday (Twitter)
8. FYP – For You Page
9. GRWM – Get ready with me
10. HMU – Hit me up
11. HT  – Hat Tip (Twitter)
12. IG – Instagram (Append this to “Insta”)
13. IM – Instant Message
14. Insta – A shortened name for Instagram
15. LI – Short for “LinkedIn”
16. MFW – My feeling when
17. MT – Modified Tweet
18. OOTD – Outfit of the day
19. OP – Original Post
20. PM – Personal Message or Private Message
21. QOTD – Quote of the day
22. RT – Retweet
23. SC – Snapchat
24. SM – Social Media
25. SMP – Social media platform
26. TBT – Throwback Thursday
27. TIL – Today I learned
28. TT – TikTok
29. Twits – Short for “Twitter”
30. UGC – User-Generated Content
31. WA – WhatsApp
32. X – previously named Twitter
33. YT  – YouTube

Business text abbreviations

Texting is also common among coworkers and customers. These abbreviations will help you navigate the world of professional texting.

1. AFK – Away From Keyboard
2. B2C – Business To Consumer
3. B2C – Business to Consumer
   We serve all kinds of B2C companies, from ecommerce to tech support.
4. DSC – Dedicated Short Code
   A unique 5- to 6-digit number that your business can use to send SMS or MMS messages (this article provides more information on all our number types.
5. EOD – End Of Day
6. EOD – End of Day
   Good morning! Our year-end sale is only until EOD. See you at our store!
7. EOM – End Of Month
8. EOW – End Of Week
9. F2F – Face To Face
10. FTFY – Fixed That For You
    Thank you for calling customer support! We’ve addressed your concern as of 9 PM today. FTFY!
11. FW – Forward
12. ICYMI – In Case You Missed It
    ICYMI, The Expanse Season 3 is now on our archives. Upgrade your account today to get access!
13. MMS – Multimedia Messaging Service
    MMS messaging allows you to add media like audio, video, and GIFs to your texts.
14. NRN – No Reply Necessary
15. OOO – Out Of Office
16. P2P – Peer To Peer
17. SaaS – Software As A Service
18. SMS – Short Message Service
    SMS is a message type you can use to send and receive texts over a cell network.
19. TL;DR – Too Long; Didn’t Read
    Good day! You will be receiving an in-depth explanation on how to file your claim with us in your email today. For a TL;DR version, call us at 555-123-4567 between 9 am- 5 pm Mon-Fri.
20. TYVM– Thank You Very Much
    TYVM for your purchase! See you at our next sale in the fall.
21. WFH – Work From Home
22. WIP – Work in Progress – If you’re having trouble exporting files, contact customer support at email@email.com. Bug fixes are a WIP by the dev team.
23. YTD – Year To Date

Business texting compliance approved abbreviations

As with any industry, the world of business texting and text marketing is rich with jargon and abbreviations. And when you’re up against a tight character limit, the temptation to shorten your words is real.

In an effort to help you avoid confusion or misdirection with any of your SMS compliance messaging, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (CTIA) developed a list of approved abbreviations you can use in your text marketing that will help you save space without sacrificing clarity.

Approved CTIA abbreviations include:

• Msg instead of Message
• / instead of Per
• Txt instead of Text
• mo, ea. mo. or /mth instead of Per Month
• Msg&Data Rates May Apply instead of Message and Data Rates May Apply

Marketing abbreviation

1. AOV – Average Order Value
2. BOGO – Buy One Get One
3. CLV – Customer Lifetime Value
4. CMS – Content Management System
5. CPA – Cost Per Acquisition
6. CPV – Cost Per View
7. CR  – Conversion Rate
8. CRM – Customer Relationship Management
9. CRO – Conversion Rate Optimization
10. ICP – Ideal Customer Profile
11. LTV – Lifetime Value
12. PPC – Pay Per Click
13. SCN – Short Code Number
14. SEM – Search Engine Marketing
15. SEO – Search Engine Optimization
16. SERP – Search Engine Results Page
17. SMB – Small/medium business
18. SOV – Share Of Voice
19. TOS – Terms of service
20. WOM – Word Of Mouth

Romantic/Relationship text abbreviations

1. BAE – Before Anyone Else
2. BFF – Best Friend Forever
3. DTR – Define the relationship
4. FWB – Friends With Benefits
5. ILYSM – I Love You So Much
6. LOML  – Love Of My Life
7. LTR – Long-term relationship
8. LYLAS – Love You Like A Sister
9. OTP – One true pairing
10. PDA – Public display of affection
11. SO – Significant Other
12. XOXO – Hugs and kisses

Examples of text abbreviations in SMS marketing

Now that you’ve reviewed our comprehensive list of abbreviations for text messages, let’s look at a few examples. Here are some ways you might use text abbreviations in real life to manage your SMS character count and communicate a clear message.

Promotional campaign reminder

Let’s say you want to notify customers they’ve got one last chance to take advantage of your store’s buy-one–get-one-free promotion. Your text could read something like this:

How to incorporate texting abbreviations in a business context

Now that you’re an expert in business text abbreviations, your next step is to familiarize yourself with the do’s and don’ts of using them.

Our lists are a great way to keep on top of the must-know text speak for your professional and personal life.

1. Don’t cram too many texting abbreviations in one text.
   What would it feel like if you receive a text from your insurance company saying: Sup! ICYMI, CYE for instrux on policy renewal. SSIA. Sounds rude, right?
   
2. Be creative, but not unprofessional. When appropriate, add images and GIFs using MMS marketing.
   Your words and acronyms don’t have to do all of the talking. It’s easy to attach images and graphics to your messages as well. Use these to make your messages more engaging.
   
3. Text like an adult. Don’t use shorthand like “2” for “to” or “U” for “you.”
   Texting like this does save precious characters—but it also looks unprofessional. Compare these two texts:
   
   “Go2 Meg’s 2day asap 4 a gr8 deal! 20% off ne slice wen u sho dis text.”
   
   “Visit Meg’s ASAP for a great deal! 20% off any slice when you show this text.”
   
   Which text looks like it’s from a respectable business?
   
4. Only use text abbreviations your audience will understand.
   Knowing your audience helps you decide which abbreviations are appropriate and which ones aren’t.
   
   For instance, you wouldn’t want to text “Hello, this is Joe, tech support for X Cable. Responding to your query, FTFY!” to a 70-year old needing help with his cable. In this instance it would be better to write out, “Be seeing you.”
5. Proofread before you hit send! A simple typo with an abbreviation can completely change the meaning of your text.  A quick double-check can save you from embarrassing misunderstandings.
   
   By integrating these additional facts into your existing content, you’ll provide a richer resource for readers interested in text abbreviations, enhancing their understanding and practical application of these terms in both personal and professional contexts.

Text abbreviation mistakes to avoid

There are hundreds of word abbreviations out there, so any fear of using slang abbreviations for texting is warranted. The best thing to do is play it safe. Nobody’s going to be on your case if you type out the full phrase.

However, if you do want to start incorporating more abbreviation in your text messages these are two key things to avoid:

Avoid using dated text slang or abbreviations when texting

In a communication method that’s only a decade old, it’s hard to imagine text abbreviations going out of date.

But meanings change, just as they do in our everyday language. Keep an eye out for text message abbreviations that others around you are using. This is not only to gauge appropriateness, but also to keep on top of what phrases are still commonly used.

Avoid overusing text abbreviations to communicate

Sure, most young people can understand text abbreviations just fine. But nobody wants to read a full message written in them. Avoid:

When in doubt simply take your time to type out the full word. It’s the fail-safe way of making sure your text messaging is read in the correct context.

Recognizing your audience

Just like addressing different people in day to day life, SMS requires you to adapt your speech based on who you’re talking to. Some of the popular SMS abbreviations you use on your friends might not be appropriate for your boss or a client.

Event announcements

Let’s say you’re hosting an in-person event and you want to let your contacts know about it by sending out a text blast. A few text abbreviations can help you craft a concise SMS message:

Welcome text messages

When you first get new SMS subscribers to opt in to your text messages, a quick note to confirm, say thanks, and welcome them is important. Using text abbreviations not only helps limit character count, it also comes across as friendly and conversational.

Let’s say someone uses an SMS keyword to subscribe to daily tips you send via text. Your welcome message could read like this:

Besides being friendly this example also uses abbreviations to help ensure you follow rules for SMS compliance.

Schedule changes

Text messages are a good way for local businesses to let loyal customers know if there are changes in hours of operations or disruptions to the normal schedule. Text abbreviations help you communicate with people quickly and concisely:

Requesting customer feedback

Finally, here’s how you could take advantage of text abbreviations when using SMS to collect customer feedback: