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X character counter
Count a post on X the way X does: weighted length from twitter-text, so links count as 23 and many emoji count as 2.
Each post is cut at 280 weighted characters, with room for “(1/2)”. Premium mode does not lengthen a thread.
X (Twitter) limits
- Post280 characters
- Bio160 characters
- Display name50 characters
Last checked October 2026.
Tips
- Front-load the hook: the first line decides whether people stop scrolling.
- A URL weighs 23 whatever its length, so a shortener does not save space. Many emoji weigh 2. The counter uses twitter-text, the same library X documents for weighted length.
- Split into a thread keeps each post at 280 weighted characters, including in Premium mode. Premium is one long post; a thread is still a sequence of standard posts.
How X counts characters, links and emoji
A standard post on X can be up to 280 characters. X does not simply count the letters you type: it gives every link a fixed length and weights some characters more than others. That is why a post that looks short in a notes app can still be rejected, and why a long URL costs no more than a short one.
Every link counts as 23 characters, whatever its real length, because X wraps links in its own t.co shortener. A 90-character product URL and a 15-character domain both cost 23. This counter applies the same rule to anything starting with http:// or https://. X also turns some bare domains such as example.com into links, and those count as 23 too, so leave room if you type addresses without the http part.
Emoji and some scripts are weighted. X counts most emoji, and Chinese, Japanese and Korean characters, as two characters each. This counter counts each emoji as one, so if a post uses many emoji or is written in those scripts, leave a margin and check the count in the X composer before you post.
Premium subscribers can post much longer text (up to 25,000 characters at the time of writing — check current terms), but the feed shows roughly the first 280 characters before “Show more”. Treat 280 as the length of your real post and anything past it as an extra that most readers will not open.
Bios and display names have their own limits: 160 characters for the bio and 50 for the display name. The @username is separate and shorter. A bio that says what you post and who it is for usually does more than a list of job titles.
| Field | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Post | 280 characters | Links count as 23; most emoji count as 2 |
| Post with Premium | Longer posts allowed | About the first 280 characters show before “Show more” |
| Bio | 160 characters | Website goes in its own field |
| Display name | 50 characters | Shown in bold next to your @username |
| Username (@handle) | 15 characters | Letters, numbers and underscores |
Questions
Is Twitter still 280 characters?
Yes. For standard accounts, a post on X is limited to 280 characters. Premium subscribers can post longer text, but the feed cuts it at about 280 characters with a “Show more” link, so the first 280 still do most of the work.
Do links count toward the character limit on X?
Yes. Every link counts as 23 characters, however long or short the URL is, because X shortens links with its t.co service. URL shorteners therefore save no space on X.
Do emoji count as two characters on Twitter?
Most emoji count as two characters on X, including combined emoji such as flags, and so do Chinese, Japanese and Korean characters. This counter counts each emoji as one, so leave a small margin when you use several.
How long can a Twitter bio be?
A bio on X can be up to 160 characters. The display name allows 50 characters and the @username 15. Your profile also has a separate website field, so you do not need to spend bio characters on a URL.
How many characters can X Premium users post?
Premium allows much longer posts, up to 25,000 characters at the time of writing — check current terms. Long posts are cut in the feed after about 280 characters, so the opening still has to earn the click.
Do mentions and hashtags count toward the limit?
Yes. Mentions and hashtags you type count like any other text, including the @ and # signs. When you reply, the usernames X adds automatically at the start of the reply do not count toward the 280.
What is the best length for a post on X?
No single length works for every account. Short posts are easy to read in a fast feed, while longer posts can work when the first line makes people want the rest. Try both and compare the engagement rate of each.