What it does
The composer counts your text with X's documented weighting (NFC text, links 23, emoji 2, CJK 2, most Latin 1), highlights whatever passes 280 and opens X's composer with your text when you tap Post on X.
How does X count the characters in a post?
X counts weighted characters: most Latin letters, digits and punctuation count 1, while emoji, Chinese, Japanese and Korean characters and most other scripts count 2, and every link counts 23. A standard post can use 280 weighted characters. Text is normalized first, so an accented letter typed as two code points still counts as one.
Some examples you can paste into the box:
| Text | Weighted length |
|---|---|
Hello, world! 👋 |
16 |
café |
4 |
| any link, of any length | 23 |
日本語 |
6 |
👨👩👧👦 (a family emoji) |
2 |
… (the single ellipsis character) |
2 |
That last one surprises people: the typographic ellipsis sits outside the ranges X weighs as 1, so a single … costs 2, only one less than typing three full stops (...).
What do the colours mean?
- Green ring: comfortably inside the limit.
- Orange ring with a number: the last 20 characters; the number is how many are left.
- Red ring with a minus number: over the limit. The preview shows the overflow in red so you can see what to cut.
What's the fastest way to fix a post that's too long?
Cut, link, or split. Remove filler words first ("really", "just", "in order to"). Swap a long phrase for a link if the detail lives elsewhere, since the link costs 23 no matter what. If the idea genuinely needs the room, tap Too long? Make it a thread and your text goes straight into the thread splitter.
Why is Post on X greyed out?
Because X won't accept an empty post or one over 280 from this link. Once the text fits, the button turns orange.
FAQ
Why does my post count differently in other counters?
Many counters just count characters. X weighs them: an emoji is 2, a Japanese character is 2, and a link is always 23 whether it's 12 or 300 characters long. This composer applies those weights.
Is my draft saved?
Yes, in this browser's local storage, so a reload or an accidental swipe doesn't lose it. It never leaves your device. Clear removes it.
What does Post on X do?
It opens X's own compose screen (x.com/intent/tweet) with your text filled in. If you're signed in to X in that browser or have the app, you can review and publish from there.
Do X Premium subscribers get longer posts?
Premium accounts can write much longer posts on X. The 280 counter here is for standard posts, which is also what shows in full in the timeline before 'Show more'.