html - Limit text inside div, using Div height -

I am currently working on a website. This is an act that will allow the administrator to post news. All of my news devices have been set in height and width; PHP queries the database for text and it is cut in 500 characters length, so the text does not exit from my div.
Definitely this is not the best way because I use all caps, take 500 caps, more space than 500 normal people .... if I change lines / br / tag Also, this is also a problem, because php - & gt; (I think) will not be counted as that empty place ...

As the title suggests ... I would like to know whether any of the limits of the text in my div The way, using its height ....

Thanks in advance!