If I message a friend from FB to their cell will it count as a normal text?

[Morgan]

I've tried Googling this before and I found an article that states:
"Regular texting charges apply if users send a text via Facebook Messenger, GroupMe or iMessage to nonusers."
By "nonusers" does that mean if my friend DIDN'T have a FB account I'd still be able to message their cellphone but it would count as a normal text? And if they do I would be sending them a message to their cellphone that wouldn't count as a text?
Also, if they respond would THAT be counted as a text or a regular FB message?

I don't want to try to start a conversation if it's going to cost them money, so I really need both parts answered please!!!

[simon]

using the internet on your phone and texting are two diferent things you wont be charged for each fb message you send only for the amount of time you use the internet for

[Dani]

Well no not really cause if u send it from Facebook to their Facebook it'll go to their phone but not as a normal text message

[coys1882]

I live in UK but I assume US is the same, you shouldn't be charged at text rate for sending a message via facebook. That will come out of your internet usage, so if you are on a contract it be free unless you send about 100,000 or more because you are paying for a certain amount of MB of data to download and send/receive information via the internet. This is what you will be using to send a message on facebook no matter what device it is going to.
It shouldn't have anything to do with text message charges, you're sending something over the web so they are charged as a completely separate thing.