diff --git a/appview/pages/templates/repo/new.html b/appview/pages/templates/repo/new.html
index 2edc04b8..a117c74b 100644
--- a/appview/pages/templates/repo/new.html
+++ b/appview/pages/templates/repo/new.html
@@ -110,11 +110,12 @@
       type="text"
       id="description"
       name="description"
+      maxlength="140"
       class="w-full w-full dark:bg-gray-700 dark:text-white dark:border-gray-600 border border-gray-300 rounded px-3 py-2"
       placeholder="A brief description of your project..."
     />
     <p class="text-sm text-gray-500 dark:text-gray-400 mt-1">
-      Optional. A short description to help others understand what your project does.
+      Optional. A short description to help others understand what your project does (max 140 characters).
     </p>
   </div>
 {{ end }}
diff --git a/appview/state/state.go b/appview/state/state.go
index 604a33a8..fd5b85ae 100644
--- a/appview/state/state.go
+++ b/appview/state/state.go
@@ -469,6 +469,10 @@ func (s *State) NewRepo(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		l = l.With("defaultBranch", defaultBranch)
 
 		description := r.FormValue("description")
+		if len([]rune(description)) > 140 {
+			s.pages.Notice(w, "repo", "Description must be 140 characters or fewer.")
+			return
+		}
 
 		// ACL validation
 		ok, err := s.enforcer.E.Enforce(user.Active.Did, domain, domain, "repo:create")