# General Translation Changelog: gt-next 6.11.0: Character limits for translations
URL: https://generaltranslation.com/en-GB/blog/gt-next_v6_11_0.mdx
Docs index: https://generaltranslation.com/llms.txt
Description: 
Authors: Ernest McCarter
Published: 2025-12-09

## Overview

**gt-next@6.11.0** adds support for the `$maxChars` parameter in translation functions, building on the [`formatCutoff()`](/docs/platform/core/reference/utility-functions/formatting/format-cutoff) functionality introduced in [`generaltranslation@8.1.0`](/devlog/generaltranslation_v8_1_0).

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## Usage

The `$maxChars` parameter can be used with any string translation call:

```javascript
gt('Welcome to our application', { $maxChars: 20 });
// AI attempts translation within 20 chars: "Bienvenido a app"
```


### Character Limit Handling

The `$maxChars` parameter triggers two distinct mechanisms:

1. **AI Translation Optimisation**: The AI receives the character limit and attempts to produce a translation that fits within the specified length.

2. **Library Truncation**: If any translation (from AI or cache) exceeds the character limit, the library applies locale-aware truncation to enforce the limit.

```javascript
gt('Long description text', { $maxChars: 15 });
// AI attempts concise translation: "Texto breve"
// If result exceeds limit: "Texto de desc…" (truncated)
```


### Integration

Works with existing translation options:

```javascript
gt('User notification', {
  $context: 'mobile-alert',
  $maxChars: 30,
});
// AI attempts translation within 30 chars: "Notificación usuario"
// Library truncates if needed: "Notificación del usuario…"
```

The parameter affects translation hashing, ensuring different character limits create separate translation entries.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](https://generaltranslation.com/sitemap.md) for all pages.