Free tool

Count characters the way X actually counts.

280 on X is not 280 keystrokes: every link counts as 23 and most emoji count as 2. This free counter applies X’s real weighting rules live as you type, with LinkedIn and Threads limits one tab away.

280characters left · 0 of 280 weighted

Weighted count, the way X counts: every link is 23, most emoji and all CJK characters are 2.

How X counts characters

X gives every character a weight and allows 280 weight per post. Common Latin-script characters weigh 1, most other writing systems and all emoji weigh 2, and links are replaced by a fixed-length t.co URL that always weighs 23. This tool runs those same rules in your browser — nothing you type is sent anywhere.

What you typeWhat X counts
Letters, numbers, punctuation, spaces1 each
Emoji (including multi-part emoji and flags)2 each
Chinese, Japanese, and Korean characters2 each
Any link, any lengthAlways 23

Want the full rules? We wrote up how X’s weighted counting works and every LinkedIn character limit, including the ~210-character “see more” fold.

Frequently asked questions

Why does X say my post is too long when it looks under 280 characters?

Because X counts weighted characters, not keystrokes. Most emoji and every CJK character count as 2, and every link counts as 23 regardless of its real length, so a post that looks like 260 characters can weigh more than 280. This counter applies the same weighting X uses, so the number here is the number X sees.

How many characters does a link count as on X?

Exactly 23, whether the URL is 10 characters or 300. X wraps every link in its t.co shortener and charges the fixed t.co length instead of the real URL, so pasting a pre-shortened link saves you nothing and a long link costs you nothing extra.

Do emoji count as one character on X?

No, almost every emoji counts as 2 weighted characters. That includes complex emoji built from several code points: a family emoji or a flag still counts as 2, not 8 or 14. Basic Latin letters, numbers, and punctuation count as 1.

What are the character limits on X, LinkedIn, and Threads?

X allows 280 weighted characters on a standard account and 25,000 for Premium subscribers. LinkedIn allows 3,000 characters in a post, and Threads allows 500. LinkedIn and Threads count plain characters with links at full length; only X uses weighted counting.

How do I post something longer than 280 characters on X?

Split it into a thread. Once your draft crosses the limit, this counter shows how many posts it would split into. A scheduler that understands threads can do the splitting, numbering, and publishing for you — Eden formats threads per platform and schedules them free.

Do this automatically in Eden.

Eden's editor shows live per-platform counts as you write, splits long drafts into threads, and schedules to X, LinkedIn, Threads, Instagram, TikTok, and Substack from one queue.

Free plan. No card required. 100 saved items and 50 AI credits included.