Twitter / X Character Counter Online — Free
Runs 100% in your browser — your files never leave your device.
X's 280-character limit is not a plain character count: Japanese, Korean, and Chinese characters weigh two units, and every link counts as 23 no matter its length. Paste your post and get the same weighted count the composer applies, live as you type — so what fits here fits there.
How it works
- 1
Paste your post
Type or paste directly into the box.
- 2
Watch the count
The weighted count and the bar update with every keystroke.
- 3
Post with confidence
If it fits here, it fits on X — same rules, same math.
About this tool
Weighted counting, not naive counting
X counts characters with weights: most characters count as 1, but CJK characters (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) count as 2, and URLs count as a fixed 23 regardless of length. The counter implements the official weighted algorithm — the same math X applies.
Why the weights matter
Naive counting lets a Japanese post blow past the limit while showing "under 280", or miscounts a tweet with three links by dozens of characters. The weighted count is what actually gates posting.
Editing against the limit
The count updates live as you type, so trimming is immediate: shorten the URL, cut a clause, or move a link out. URLs always cost 23 — beyond that, only their text changes nothing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the actual character limit?
280 weighted characters for standard accounts — with most Latin text counting 1 each and CJK counting 2. Premium tiers may allow more.
Why do all URLs count as 23 characters?
X shortens every URL through its own linker regardless of length, so the platform charges a flat 23 for any URL. A longer URL costs nothing extra.
Do emoji count as one character?
Most standard emoji count as 2 weighted characters; some composite emoji count more. The weighted counter tracks what the platform will charge.