Social media character counter
Check your draft using the count that fits the format.
0 visible characters0 words
Format count: 0 / 280 ↓ How this text is counted
- Visible characters
- 0
- Unicode code points
- 0
- UTF-16 units
- 0
- UTF-8 bytes
- 0
A single visible emoji can contain several code points, code units and bytes. The selected format decides which count is relevant.
X · standard post
0/ 280
weighted characters
280 remaining
Standard posts only. Detected URLs count as 23; emoji sequences count as 2. Premium long posts and reply-specific exclusions are not checked.
Platform guidance (new tab)Your draft stays in this editor. Nothing is posted.
Compare this draft across formats
| Format | Count | Reference limit |
|---|---|---|
| X · standard post | 0 weighted characters | 280 |
| Instagram · caption | 0 visible characters | Confirm in app |
| Instagram · bio | 0 visible characters | Confirm in app |
| LinkedIn · post | 0 UTF-16 units (estimate) | 3000 |
| Facebook · post | 0 visible characters | Confirm in app |
| TikTok · video caption (API) | 0 UTF-16 units | 2200 |
| TikTok · photo description (API) | 0 UTF-16 units | 4000 |
| TikTok · photo title (API) | 0 UTF-16 units | 90 |
| YouTube · video title | 0 Unicode characters (estimate) | 100 |
| YouTube · description (API) | 0 UTF-8 bytes | 5000 |
Why a simple counter can get it wrong
https://example.com23 on XIts literal length is 19, but X counts a detected URL as 23.
👨👩👧👦2 on X
One visible emoji, 11 UTF-16 units, and an X weight of 2.
漢字4 on X · 6 bytesTwo visible characters can produce different platform counts.
Character counting, explained
Why do emoji and links count differently on X?
X uses weighted text length. Detected URLs count as 23, emoji sequences as 2, and many CJK characters as 2. Its count also normalizes accented text. This tool uses twitter-text for URL and weight rules, supplemented with current emoji-sequence data; it does not check Premium long-post entitlements or automatic reply mentions.
What is the difference between characters, units and bytes?
A visible character may combine several Unicode code points. UTF-16 units describe one text encoding; UTF-8 bytes describe another. For example, the family emoji shown above is one visible character and 11 UTF-16 units. Use the method specified by the destination rather than treating these totals as interchangeable.
Which TikTok limit is checked?
Choose the publishing API surface: a video caption uses a 2,200 UTF-16-unit reference, a photo description 4,000, and a photo title 90. Native app editors may offer different capabilities. The selected label identifies what is being compared.
Why is the YouTube description measured in bytes?
The YouTube Data API specifies a 5,000-byte description limit, while its title reference is 100 characters. UTF-8 bytes can increase quickly with emoji or non-ASCII text. The API also excludes angle brackets in either field.
Does a count below the limit guarantee my post will publish?
No. Length is only one check. Some rows are explicitly estimates, and Instagram/Facebook modes provide a general writing count without asserting a verified platform limit. Confirm the final draft in the publishing editor; permissions, content rules, media and account features can also affect acceptance.
Reference rules reviewed October 1, 2026. Counts check text length, not publishing permissions, content policies or account-specific features.
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