Twitter / X Character Counter
Live character counter for X (Twitter) posts. See exactly how many of your 280 characters remain as you type.
0
Characters
280
Remaining
0
Words
0%
Of limit used
How X actually counts your 280 characters
The limit isn't as simple as "280 letters." X counts most Latin-script characters, numbers, punctuation, and spaces as 1 each — but every URL is charged a flat 23 characters (regardless of length, because links are wrapped in t.co), most emoji cost 2, and characters from CJK scripts (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) also count as 2, effectively halving the limit to 140 for those languages. Mentions and hashtags count at full length — there's no discount. If your post has one link and three emoji, your real text budget is 280 − 23 − 6 = 251 characters.
Writing tighter posts (that perform better)
- Front-load the point. Feeds truncate long Premium posts after 280 characters behind "Show more" — assume only your first sentence gets read.
- One idea per post. If you're fighting the limit, it's usually two posts trying to be one. Threads exist for a reason.
- Cut adverbs and openers first. "Really", "actually", "I think" — trimming these usually recovers 15–30 characters without losing meaning.
- Put the link last. It costs 23 characters wherever it goes, but posts read better when the text stands alone.
How to use Twitter / X Character Counter.
- 1
Type or paste your text into the box
- 2
Watch the live counter track your 280-character budget
- 3
Trim until the remaining count is comfortable
- 4
Copy your final text with one click
Why use this tool.
Never get cut off — see exactly when you cross X (Twitter)'s limit
Draft and trim in one place instead of counting by trial and error
Nothing you type is stored or transmitted
Free, instant, no signup
About Twitter / X Character Counter.
X gives standard accounts exactly 280 characters, and the difference between a post that fits and one that gets awkwardly trimmed is usually a few words. This live counter tracks your character budget as you type, warns you as you approach the limit, and highlights when you have gone over — so you can trim before you paste into X, not after it rejects your post. Remember that links count as a flat 23 characters and most emoji count as two. Your drafts stay in your browser; nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Frequently asked questions.
What is the character limit on X (Twitter)?
Standard accounts get 280 characters per post. X Premium subscribers can post up to 25,000 characters, but only the first 280 show before a "Show more" cut — so 280 remains the practical limit for engagement.
Do links count against the 280 characters?
Yes, but every link is counted as a fixed 23 characters regardless of its real length, because X wraps links with its t.co shortener. This counter counts raw characters, so treat any long URL as 23.
Do emoji count as one character?
Most emoji count as 2 characters against the limit on X. Mentions (@username) and hashtags count at their full length.
Why does X cut off my post?
Text past 280 characters is rejected for standard accounts (the compose box stops you). On Premium, text past the first 280 characters is hidden behind "Show more" — front-load your key message.