Abbreviations, acronyms and slang are common place in SMS messages, even those sent out by businesses. Use this quick guide to decide when and how to use SMS abbreviations.
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
Asap – As soon as possible: Can you send me that report asap?
Atm – At the moment: I can’t talk, I’m at work atm
BRB – Be right back: Sorry, just grabbing a coffee – BRB!
Brt – Be right there: Found the place, brt!
BTW – By the way: I’m on the way, BTW should I bring anything?
FTW – For the win: Did you see the game last night? Bills FTW!
FWIW – For what it’s worth: FWIW, I think it’s going to rain anyway.
Fyi – For your information: Fyi, the meeting is at 2 pm today
Hbu – How about you: I’m doing great, hbu?
HMU – Hit me up: If you need anything just HMU!
IDK – I don’t know: The traffic’s delayed me, IDK what time I’ll get there!
Ig – I guess: I mean if you’re going too ig I will
IIRC – If I remember correctly: IIRC, he still works there.
IMHO/IMO – In my humble opinion/in my opinion: IMHO, coffee is way better than tea.
Istg – I swear to god: If this traffic doesn’t let up I’m gonna be late, istg
Iykyk – If you know, you know: That deli down the street is the best lunch place around. Iykyk
LMK – Let me know: LMK if you need anything from the grocery store.
LOL – Laugh out loud: That’s so funny, LOL!
Ngl – Not gonna lie: Ngl, I’m ready for Friday
NVM – Nevermind: NVM about grabbing the chips, I found some at home!
OG – Original gangsters (used for old friends): You’ll love her, she’s one of my OGs!
OMG – Oh my God/goodness: OMG I can’t believe that happened!
OMW – On my way: I’ve just left, OMW now!
Ong – On god (I swear): I’m way too sick to work today, ong
OOTD – Outfit of the day: What’s your OOTD? I don’t know which shoes to wear!
Rq – real quick: Can you check the deadline for me rq?
Sm – So much: You’re a lifesaver, thank you sm
SMH/SMDH – Shaking my head/shaking my darn head: I can’t believe you just said that, SMH.
TBD – To be determined: The time and place is TBD!
TTYL – Talk to you later: I’ve got to run, TTYL.
Wya – Where you at: Just got here, wya?
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.
BF – Boyfriend
GF – Girlfriend
ILY – I Love You
MCM – Man Crush Monday
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!
Abbreviation/acronym
Meaning
ABT
About
ADR
All Due Respect
AFAIK
As far as I know
AKA
Also known as
AMA
Ask Me Anything
ASAP
As soon as possible
B4
Before
BBS
Be Back Soon
BC
Because
BOGO
Buy one get one
BTS
Behind The Scenes
BYOB
Bring Your Own Beverage
CTA
Call to action
DAE
Does Anyone Else
DIY
Do it yourself
DL
Down Low
DND
Do not disturb
EOD
End of day
FOMO
Fear of missing out
Frl
For real
G2G
Got to go
GOAT
Greatest Of All Time
GG
Good game
HBD
Happy Birthday
HW
Homework
IDC
I Don’t Care
IK
I Know
IKR
I Know Right
IMU
I Miss You
IOU
I Owe You
IRL
In Real Life
ISO
In Search Of
JIC
Just in case
JK
Just Kidding
JW
Just wondering
MFW
My Face When
MYOB
Mind your own business
N/A
Not available/not applicable
NBD
No Big Deal
NP
No problem
NSFW
Not Safe For Work
OFC
Of Course
OOO
Out of the office
PDA
Public Display (of) Affection
POV
Point of view
PSA
Public Service Announcement
QOTD
Quote of the day
RIP
Rest In Peace
RN
Right now
ROFL
Rolling On (the) Floor Laughing
RSVP
Répondez S’il Vous Plaît (Respond Please)
SFW
Safe For Work
T&C
Terms and conditions
TBA
To Be Announced
TBH
To be honest
TFW
That Feeling When
TGIF
Thank god it’s Friday
TIA
Thanks in advance
TLC
Tender loving care
TMRW
Tomorrow
TTYS
Talk To You Soon
TY
Thank you
TYIA
Thank You In Advance
TYVM
Thank You Very Much
UGC
User-generated content
YW
You’re welcome
W/E
Whatever
W/O
Without
WYD
What (are) You Doing
WYSIWYG
What you see is what you get
YOLO
You Only Live Once
YSK
You Should Know
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.
Gucci – Good, cool. Ex. “I got us tickets to the concert.” “Gucci.”
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.”
Lowkey – Moderately; kind of. Ex. “This new song is lowkey my favorite.
Mid – Mediocre. Ex. “I don’t know, that movie was kind of mid.”
No cap – No lie; I’m not lying. Ex. “Did you get tickets to the concert for real?” “No cap.”
Sending me – Used to describe something that excites or humors you. Ex. “This new song is sending me!”
Slay – Good (or an acknowledgment like “okay”). Ex. “Did you see Lady Gaga’s Oscar look? Such a slay.”
Sus – Suspicious or suspect. Ex. “I got us tickets to the concert that’s sold out.” “That’s sus.”
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
AMA – Ask me anything
BR – BeReal
DM – Direct Message
ELI5 – Explain like I’m 5
FB – Facebook
FBF – Flashback Friday
FF – Follow Friday (Twitter)
FYP – For You Page
GRWM – Get ready with me
HMU – Hit me up
HT – Hat Tip (Twitter)
IG – Instagram (Append this to “Insta”)
IM – Instant Message
Insta – A shortened name for Instagram
LI – Short for “LinkedIn”
MFW – My feeling when
MT – Modified Tweet
OOTD – Outfit of the day
OP – Original Post
PM – Personal Message or Private Message
QOTD – Quote of the day
RT – Retweet
SC – Snapchat
SM – Social Media
SMP – Social media platform
TBT – Throwback Thursday
TIL – Today I learned
TT – TikTok
Twits – Short for “Twitter”
UGC – User-Generated Content
WA – WhatsApp
X – previously named Twitter
YT – YouTube
Business text abbreviations
Texting is also common among coworkers and customers. These abbreviations will help you navigate the world of professional texting.
AFK – Away From Keyboard
B2C – Business To Consumer
B2C – Business to Consumer We serve all kinds of B2C companies, from ecommerce to tech support.
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.
EOD – End Of Day
EOD – End of Day Good morning! Our year-end sale is only until EOD. See you at our store!
EOM – End Of Month
EOW – End Of Week
F2F – Face To Face
FTFY – Fixed That For You Thank you for calling customer support! We’ve addressed your concern as of 9 PM today. FTFY!
FW – Forward
ICYMI – In Case You Missed It ICYMI, The Expanse Season 3 is now on our archives. Upgrade your account today to get access!
MMS – Multimedia Messaging Service MMS messaging allows you to add media like audio, video, and GIFs to your texts.
NRN – No Reply Necessary
OOO – Out Of Office
P2P – Peer To Peer
SaaS – Software As A Service
SMS – Short Message Service SMS is a message type you can use to send and receive texts over a cell network.
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.
TYVM– Thank You Very Much TYVM for your purchase! See you at our next sale in the fall.
WFH – Work From Home
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.
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
AOV – Average Order Value
BOGO – Buy One Get One
CLV – Customer Lifetime Value
CMS – Content Management System
CPA – Cost Per Acquisition
CPV – Cost Per View
CR – Conversion Rate
CRM – Customer Relationship Management
CRO – Conversion Rate Optimization
ICP – Ideal Customer Profile
LTV – Lifetime Value
PPC – Pay Per Click
SCN – Short Code Number
SEM – Search Engine Marketing
SEO – Search Engine Optimization
SERP – Search Engine Results Page
SMB – Small/medium business
SOV – Share Of Voice
TOS – Terms of service
WOM – Word Of Mouth
Romantic/Relationship text abbreviations
BAE – Before Anyone Else
BFF – Best Friend Forever
DTR – Define the relationship
FWB – Friends With Benefits
ILYSM – I Love You So Much
LOML – Love Of My Life
LTR – Long-term relationship
LYLAS – Love You Like A Sister
OTP – One true pairing
PDA – Public display of affection
SO – Significant Other
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:
ICYMI! Our BOGO sale ends tonight at 11pm. Get 2 of your favorite widgets for the price of one! Shop now: [link]. Txt STOP to unsubscribe.
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.
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?
Be creative, but not unprofessional. When appropriate, add images and GIFs usingMMS 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.
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?
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.”
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:
Hi, WUU2? LMK if u want to TLK TMRW!
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:
FYI… Tomorrow is your chance to hear from our founder IRL. Join us for a live Q&A on future plans. Get details & RSVP: [link]
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:
TYVM for joining our text club! You’ll get DIY tips from us daily. TXT “STOP” to opt-out at any time. Msg&Data Rates May Apply
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:
BTW – we’ll be closing at noon today after a long week. TGIF, amiright? We’ll reopen TMRW at 9am. Have a Gr8 night!
Requesting customer feedback
Finally, here’s how you could take advantage of text abbreviations when using SMS to collect customer feedback:
We want your POV on the latest product updates, but time is running out. Please take our short survey ASAP [Link] TYIA for your participation!
Texting abbreviations, also known as text abbreviations or SMS language, are shortened forms of words or phrases that are commonly used in text messaging and other forms of electronic communication. These abbreviations are often used to save time, space, or typing effort and are widely used in informal communication.
Alfredo Salkeld
Alfredo is SimpleTexting's brand manager. He's passionate about using his 10+ years of marketing experience to help small businesses grow.
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