Count it the way X counts it
Links count as 23 characters, not their real length. CJK counts double. Type below and watch the real count — plus a live preview of your post.
Why links count as 23. X auto-wraps every URL in its t.co shortener, so any link — short or long — always weighs the same fixed 23 characters toward your limit. CJK characters (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) count as 2 each.
Slap Post schedules your post and sends it through the official X API while your phone's off, Slap Magic picks your best slot, and Chad sharpens the hook before it goes out.
What is the Twitter Character Counter?
The Twitter Character Counter is a free tweet character count tool that measures your post exactly the way X (Twitter) does. Instead of a naive letter count, it applies X's real rules: every link counts as 23 characters (because X wraps URLs in its t.co shortener), and CJK characters count as 2 each. The result is an X-accurate tweet character count against the 280 character limit, with a live X-post preview so you can see your tweet before it goes out. Whether you call it a twitter character counter, a tweet character count tool, or a 280 character counter, this is the fastest way to check the x character limit without leaving your browser.
How to use it
- Type or paste your tweet into the box — the character count updates as you type.
- Watch the meter: it turns yellow as you approach the 280 character limit and red if you go over.
- Check the live preview to see how your post (and any links) will look on X, then open it in the composer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the X character limit?
A standard post on X (Twitter) is capped at 280 characters. This twitter character counter measures your tweet against that 280 character limit in real time. X Premium subscribers can post much longer, but the 280 character count is what most accounts and replies are held to.
Why does a link count as 23 characters?
X automatically wraps every URL in its t.co shortener, so any link — short or long — always weighs a fixed 23 characters toward your tweet character count. Our character counter applies the same rule X does, so the number you see matches what X will allow.
Why do some characters count as two?
CJK characters (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) count as 2 each under X's rules, so a tweet in those scripts hits the 280 character limit roughly twice as fast. This 280 character counter weights them automatically for an X-accurate tweet character count.
Is this twitter character counter free?
Yes — the twitter character counter is completely free, runs in your browser, and needs no login or signup. Type your tweet and the tweet character count updates instantly with a live X-post preview.
More free tools for X creators: Thread Splitter · Readability Scorer · all 30 free tools. Or try Slap Post to schedule and post your content automatically.