X (Twitter) Character Counter
A post on X can be up to 280 characters on a free account. Paste your text below to count characters and words as you type, and see exactly how much room you have left before you hit the limit.
- 100% free
- No login
- Runs in your browser
- No watermark
192 characters, 37 words, 88 left
Count
88
characters left of 280
Post, free account
192 / 280
Post, X Premium
192 / 25,000
- Characters
- 192
- Words
- 37
- Lines
- 3
How to use the character counter
- 1
Paste or type your post
Drop your draft into the box. The count updates on every keystroke, with no button to press.
- 2
Watch the limit
The bar fills toward 280, turns amber in the last 20 characters, and turns orange once you are over.
- 3
Trim or split
Over the limit? Cut a phrase, or send the draft to the thread splitter and post it as a thread.
- 4
Copy and post
Copy the final text, or open it straight in the X composer.
How the character counter works
X gives every post a limit of 280 characters on a free account. This tool counts your text the moment you type it, so you always know where you stand. The bar fills as you write, turns amber in the last 20 characters, and turns orange when you go over. A few things are worth knowing about the way X counts characters:
- Letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation each count as one character; every emoji counts as two.
- Links always count as 23 characters, even very long ones, because X replaces every URL with a short t.co wrapper. Budget 23 characters for each link rather than its full length.
- Characters from languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean count as two each, so a post in those languages fits fewer visible characters.
The counter above measures the characters you can see, which is the right number for most posts written in English and other Latin script languages. When your post has a link or Chinese, Japanese, or Korean text, it adds a note so you can budget for the difference.
When to split into a thread instead
If your idea keeps pushing past 280 characters, that is usually a sign to break it into a thread rather than cram it into one post. Our thread splitter turns a long draft into a clean series of posts that each fit the limit.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters can a tweet have?
A standard post on X can be up to 280 characters. This count includes letters, spaces, punctuation, and emoji.
Do links count toward the character limit?
Yes, but every link counts as 23 characters no matter how long the URL is, because X wraps every link with its own t.co shortener.
How are emoji and other languages counted?
Letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation count as one each. Every emoji counts as two, including ones built from several parts such as skin tones and families, and so does each character from languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, so a post in those languages fits fewer visible characters. Every link counts as 23, however long the URL.
How many characters can X Premium users post?
X Premium subscribers can write much longer posts of up to 25,000 characters. The first 280 are what most people see in the timeline before they tap to expand.
What is the ideal tweet length?
There is no fixed rule, but posts that leave a little room rather than filling all 280 characters tend to read more easily and get skimmed less. If an idea needs more space, a thread usually works better.
Does this character counter store my text?
No. The counter runs entirely in your browser. Your text is never sent to a server or saved anywhere.
More free tools
- Thread SplitterTurn a long draft into a clean numbered thread that fits the limit.
- LinkedIn Character CounterLive counts for posts, headlines, and About against LinkedIn limits.
- Post PreviewSee how a post will look in the timeline before you publish.
- Tweet GraderScore your draft 0 to 100 before you publish, with a rewrite that fixes it.
Want more than a one-off tool?
Xpert writes in your voice and keeps score.