Twitter (X) character limits for posts, bios, DMs, and display names. Free accounts get 280 characters per post; Premium gets 25,000. Full breakdown inside.
Published: April 2026 | Last Updated: April 2026
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Twitter / X posts are limited to 280 characters on free accounts. Premium subscribers get up to 25,000 characters per post.
| Field | Character Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Post (Free) | 280 | Standard post limit for free accounts |
| Post (Premium) | 25,000 | Extended limit for X Premium subscribers |
| Display Name | 50 | Your visible name shown above your handle |
| Username / Handle | 15 | Your @username (letters, numbers, underscores only) |
| Bio | 160 | Profile description shown under your name |
| Direct Message | 10,000 | Per individual DM |
| List Name | 25 | Name of a curated list |
| List Description | 100 | Description for curated lists |
Twitter launched in 2006 with a 140-character limit inspired by SMS text messages. In 2017, the limit doubled to 280 characters for most languages. The constraint forces concise communication — which became Twitter's defining feature. When Elon Musk acquired the platform (now X), Premium subscribers gained access to much longer posts, but the 280-character free tier remains the standard most users work within.
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Open Word CounterWhat is the Twitter / X character limit?
Twitter (X) allows 280 characters per post on free accounts. X Premium subscribers can post up to 25,000 characters.
Do links count towards Twitter's character limit?
Yes. Every URL in a tweet uses 23 characters, regardless of the actual link length. Twitter wraps all links through its t.co shortener.
What is the Twitter bio character limit?
Twitter bios are limited to 160 characters. This is the description shown on your profile page below your display name.
Can you go over 280 characters on Twitter?
Only if you have an X Premium subscription, which extends the post limit to 25,000 characters. Free accounts are capped at 280.
Do hashtags count towards Twitter's character limit?
Yes, hashtags count as regular characters including the # symbol. A hashtag like #writing uses 8 of your 280 characters.