Twitter/X Character Limit 2026: Complete Guide

Twitter (now officially known as X) revolutionized social media with its famous character limit, forcing users to be concise and creative. While the platform has evolved significantly, understanding its character limits remains essential for effective communication.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Twitter/X character limits in 2026, including the expanded options for Premium subscribers.

Character Limit Overview

Standard Posts: 280 Characters

The standard Twitter character limit is 280 characters, doubled from the original 140 characters in 2017. This limit applies to:

• Regular tweets
• Replies to other tweets
• Quote tweets (your added comment)
• Each tweet in a thread

What's Included in the Count

• Text: All letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation
• URLs: Always count as 23 characters (t.co shortening)
• Emojis: Count as 2 characters each
• Mentions (@username): Full length counts
• Hashtags: Full length including the # symbol

What's NOT Counted

• Images and GIFs
• Videos
• Polls
• @mentions at the start of replies (in conversation threads)

Premium Extended Posts: Up to 25,000 Characters

X Premium subscribers can post up to 25,000 characters, enabling long-form content directly on the platform. This feature is useful for:

• Blog-style posts and articles
• Detailed explanations and tutorials
• Newsletter-style content
• Story threads in a single post

Premium Post Features

• Rich formatting: Bold, italics, and basic text styling
• Inline media: Images placed within long-form text
• Read more: Long posts show a preview with "Show more"
• Same engagement: Likes, replies, reposts work normally

All Twitter/X Character Limits

What Counts Toward the Limit

URLs and Links

Every URL you include in a tweet counts as exactly 23 characters, regardless of its actual length. Twitter automatically shortens all URLs using t.co. This applies to:

• Website links
• Article URLs
• Any https:// or http:// links

Example: A 150-character URL still only uses 23 of your 280 characters.

Emojis and Special Characters

Most emojis count as 2 characters due to Unicode encoding. Some complex emojis (like flags or skin-tone variations) may count as more. Special characters like ™, ©, or currency symbols typically count as 1 character each.

Mentions and Hashtags

Mentions (@username) and hashtags (#topic) count at their full character length:

• @elonmusk = 9 characters
• #SocialMediaMarketing = 21 characters

Exception: In reply threads, @mentions at the very start don't count toward your limit.

Threads & Long-Form Content

Twitter threads allow you to connect multiple tweets for longer narratives:

• Maximum thread length: 25 tweets
• Per-tweet limit: 280 characters (or 25K for Premium)
• Thread indicator: Numbers shown automatically

Thread Best Practices

1. Hook in the first tweet: Make it compelling enough to encourage "see thread" clicks
2. Number your tweets: Use 1/, 2/, etc. for clarity
3. Each tweet should standalone: People may see individual tweets out of context
4. End with a CTA: Encourage follows, shares, or replies

Tips for Maximizing Impact Within the Limit

Writing Concise Tweets

1. Use abbreviations wisely: Common ones like & instead of "and" are acceptable
2. Remove filler words: Cut "very," "really," "just," "that"
3. Use line breaks: They make tweets more scannable
4. Shorten phrases: "In order to" → "To"

Optimal Tweet Length for Engagement

While you can use all 280 characters, research suggests:

• 71-100 characters: Highest engagement rate for standard tweets
• 120-140 characters: Sweet spot for informational content
• Full 280: Best for detailed announcements or context

Character-Saving Tricks

• Use numbers: "3" instead of "three"
• Skip articles when clear: "Going to store" vs "Going to the store"
• Use symbols: &, @, # where appropriate
• Combine sentences: Use commas or dashes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Twitter character limit in 2026?

Twitter (X) has a 280 character limit for standard users. Premium subscribers can post up to 25,000 characters per tweet, enabling long-form content directly on the platform.

How many characters is a tweet?

A standard tweet can be up to 280 characters. This includes all text, spaces, and punctuation. URLs count as 23 characters regardless of their actual length due to automatic shortening.

Do images and videos count toward the character limit?

No, images, videos, GIFs, and polls do not count toward the 280 character limit on Twitter/X. Only text characters are counted, giving you the full 280 characters for your message.

How long can a Twitter thread be?

Twitter threads can contain up to 25 tweets. Each tweet in the thread follows the same character limits: 280 for standard users or 25,000 for Premium subscribers.

What is the Twitter bio character limit?

Twitter bios have a 160 character limit. This includes spaces, punctuation, and emojis (which count as 2 characters each). Make it count!

Why is my tweet over the limit when I count fewer characters?

This usually happens because of emojis (2 characters each) or URLs. Remember that any URL counts as 23 characters, even short ones. Use a character counter tool to get an accurate count.