Free tool
X (Twitter) character counter
Type or paste your post and watch the count, the way X actually counts it. Links cost a flat 23, emoji count double.
0 / 280
0 words
Every link counts as 23 characters. Emoji and CJK characters count as 2.
Post ready? Schedule it to X with Lemonpost. See the X scheduler
How it works
How to stay under the X character limit
- 1
Type or paste your post
The counter runs live as you write, using the same counting rules X applies when you hit post.
- 2
Watch the ring
The ring fills as you approach 280, turns amber when you're close, and red when you're over.
- 3
Copy and post
Under the limit? Copy your text into X, or schedule it and get on with your day.
How X actually counts your 280 characters
The X character limit looks simple until a short post with one link and two emoji mysteriously runs over. That's because X doesn't count characters the way your keyboard does: some characters cost one, some cost two, and every link costs exactly 23 no matter how long it is.
One character isn't always one character
Latin letters, digits, and common punctuation count as one. Most other characters, including emoji and Chinese, Japanese, and Korean text, count as two. That's why an emoji-heavy post hits the wall faster than the visible length suggests. This counter applies the same weighting rules X's own composer uses.
Every link costs exactly 23
X wraps every URL in its t.co shortener, so a link counts as 23 characters whether it's 15 characters long or 200. Pasting a shorter link saves you nothing, and a long link costs no more. The 23 characters are simply the price of including any link at all.
The 280 limit, and who gets more
Standard accounts get 280 characters per post. X Premium subscribers can write up to 25,000, though only the first paragraph shows in the timeline before a Show more link. Even with Premium, posts that fit in 280 read better in the feed, which is why the classic limit is still the one worth writing to.
Tips for posts that fit and hit
Front-load the point: the first line decides whether anyone taps. Cut filler words before cutting substance, and if the idea genuinely needs more room, thread it rather than compressing it into mush. Numbers, line breaks, and one link beat three links and a paragraph.
Good to know
X character counting, answered
280 characters for standard accounts. X Premium subscribers can post up to 25,000 characters, but only the opening of a long post shows in the timeline before the Show more link.
X routes every URL through its t.co link shortener, and the wrapped link is always 23 characters. Long links cost no more, and pre-shortened links save nothing.
Yes. Emoji and most non-Latin characters, including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, weigh two characters in X's counting. This counter applies the same weights, so the number you see here matches the composer.
Yes, @handles and #hashtags in the body of your post count like normal text. The exception is the reply interface, where the handles X adds above your reply don't count against your limit.
Bios cap at 160 characters, display names at 50. You can draft either in the box above, the counting works the same way, just aim for the lower number.
Yes. No account, no watermark, no limit. We make Lemonpost, a simple social media scheduler, and the free tools are our way of being useful before you ever need us.
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