X (Twitter) tool
X Character Counter
A free X account gives you exactly 280 characters per post — and links count as 23 characters no matter how long they really are, which surprises people in both directions. Composing directly in X is fine for one post, but planning a thread or a week of scheduled posts needs a counter that sits outside the app.
Paste or type your draft below for an instant character count, word count, and a clear over/under reading against the 280 limit, plus comparisons for bios (160) and display names (50).
How it compares with platform limits
| Platform / format | Limit | Remaining |
|---|
How it works
Type in the box and watch the counts update live. The table shows remaining characters for each X field. Note: this counter counts links at their real length, while X counts every link as 23 characters — so a post with a link has slightly more room on X than shown here.
X (Twitter) tips & best practices
- Links count as 23 on X: A 60-character URL only costs 23 characters in the real post. Budget for it when planning link posts.
- Leave a buffer for quotes: If your post will be quoted with commentary, your text stands alone — make sure the core point survives without thread context.
- Threads: number visibly: Numbering posts (1/7, 2/7…) sets reader expectations and measurably improves completion.
- Emoji count double: On X, most emoji count as 2 characters. A post that is 4 over the limit often needs just two emoji trimmed.
- Draft the week, not the day: Count and polish a batch of posts in one sitting, then schedule them — your feed stays consistent on busy days.
Frequently asked questions
What is X's character limit?
280 characters per post for free accounts. X Premium allows much longer posts, but 280 remains the standard for feed readability.
How are links counted on X?
Every link is shortened to a t.co link and counts as 23 characters, whatever its true length. This counter shows raw length, so treat its 'remaining' as a safe minimum when links are included.
What are X's other limits?
Bio: 160 characters. Display name: 50. Username: 15. Image alt text: 1,000. The table on this page covers the most-used ones.
Does the counter store my drafts?
No — counting happens locally in your browser; nothing is uploaded or saved.
Why do emoji change the count so much?
X counts most emoji as 2 characters (some, like flags and combined emoji, count as more). It is normal and the counter reflects the visible-character count closely.
Related free tools
Social Media Character Counter
One counter checked against every platform's limits at once.