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Character Counter app...
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Check your tweet length before X does
Our X character counter works in three steps and a few seconds. No login, no guessing.
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Paste your tweet
Type or paste your tweet into the box above. Links, emojis, hashtags, and @mentions are all highlighted and counted the way X counts them.
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Watch the count
The counter shows how many of your 280 characters you’ve used as you type. Writing a long post on X Premium? Switch on Premium mode to check against 25,000.
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Copy your tweet or thread
Under the limit? Copy it and post. Over it? Your text is split into a numbered thread automatically. Click each part to copy it, then post them in order.
Why your tweet counts differently on X
A regular character counter can say you’re under 280 while X says you’re over. That’s because X weighs some characters differently. This tweet character counter follows the same rules.
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Every link counts as 23
X shortens every link, so a long URL and a short one both use exactly 23 characters. Sharing a link costs the same whatever the address.
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Emojis count as 2
Most emojis use two of your characters, not one. Three emojis in a tweet take up six characters.
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Some languages count double
Chinese, Japanese, and Korean characters count as 2 each, so tweets in those languages fit about half as many characters.
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Spaces and line breaks count too
Every space, line break, @mention, and hashtag uses characters. A tidy layout is worth it, just know it isn’t free.
X (Twitter) character limits in 2026
The X post character limit is 280 for everyone, or 25,000 with X Premium. Here’s every other X character limit in one place, from bios and usernames to DMs.
| Where | Character limit | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Standard post (tweet) | 280 | The limit for everyone on a free X account. |
| X Premium post | 25,000 | Long-form posts for X Premium subscribers. |
| Bio | 160 | The short description under your name on your profile. |
| Display name | 50 | The bold name shown above your @username. |
| Username (@handle) | 15 | Letters, numbers, and underscores only. |
| Direct message | 10,000 | Per message, for DMs on X. |
| Image alt text | 1,000 | The image description screen readers use. |
| Poll option | 25 | Per choice, with up to four choices per poll. |
Writing a bio or picking a handle? Our Twitter (X) Bio Generator and Twitter (X) Name Generator keep you inside these limits automatically.
Six ways to shorten a tweet without losing the point
A few characters over 280? Try these before you start deleting the good stuff.
Cut the filler
“Really,” “just,” “in order to,” and “I think” can almost always go. Your tweet gets shorter and punchier.
Use numbers
“10” beats “ten” and “&” beats “and.” Small swaps add up when every character counts.
Let a link do the talking
Links always cost 23 characters. If the details live on a page, link to it and keep the tweet to the hook.
Trim the hashtags
One or two relevant hashtags do more than five. Our X Hashtag Generator helps you pick the ones worth keeping.
Go easy on emojis
Each emoji counts as 2. Keep the one that adds meaning and drop the rest.
Turn it into a thread
Got more to say? Split it up. The counter numbers each part for you, or our AI Tweet Generator can write the thread from scratch.
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Every tweet under 280? Now schedule the week.
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- Schedule tweets, images, and videos in bulk
- Plan a month of X content in one sitting
- AI captions and hashtag suggestions built in
- Analytics that show which posts and times actually work
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Twitter (X) Character Counter free?
Yes. This Twitter character counter is 100% free, needs no login or sign-up, and has no usage limits. Paste in as many tweets as you like.
What is the Twitter character limit?
A standard post on X can be up to 280 characters. That’s the X character limit for every free account. X Premium subscribers can write longer posts of up to 25,000 characters. Other parts of your profile have their own limits: 160 characters for your bio, 50 for your display name, and 15 for your @username.
Why is my count different from a regular character counter?
Because X doesn’t count every character the same way. Every link counts as 23 characters however long it is, most emojis count as 2, and Chinese, Japanese, and Korean characters count as 2 each. This counter uses the same rules, so the number you see matches what X will show.
Do spaces, line breaks, and @mentions count toward the limit?
Yes. Spaces, line breaks, punctuation, @mentions, and hashtags all count toward the 280 characters. The one big exception is links, which always count as 23 characters no matter how long the URL is.
How many words fit in a tweet?
Usually somewhere between 40 and 60 words, depending on how long your words are. X limits characters, not words, so your Twitter word count doesn’t decide whether a tweet fits. Shorter words and fewer filler phrases let you say more in one tweet.
What happens if my text is over 280 characters?
The counter tells you your tweet is too long and automatically splits your text into a numbered thread, with (1/2), (2/2) and so on added to each part. Click any part to copy it, then post them in order. Want help writing the thread itself? Try our free AI Tweet Generator.
Does it work for X Premium long posts?
Yes. Tick the Premium option above the text box and the limit switches from 280 to 25,000 characters, so you can check long posts before you publish them.
What is the Twitter bio character limit?
Your X bio can be up to 160 characters. You can check a draft here, or let our free Twitter (X) Bio Generator write one that already fits.
Ready to post?
Your tweet fits. Now keep them coming.
Plan, schedule, and publish across every network from one Hopper HQ tab, starting with the tweet you just checked.
- Schedule tweets in bulk
- Plan a month in one sitting
- AI captions and hashtags