How to make a thread on Twitter (X)
X lets you write several posts in the composer and publish them together as a thread. Menus change, so check the current X app.
In the X app
- Tap the compose button and write your first post.
- Tap the plus icon to add another post below it. Repeat for each post in your thread.
- Check each post, then tap Post all to publish the thread.
On desktop
- Select Post and write your first post in the composer.
- Use the add-post control (the plus icon) in the composer to add the next post.
- When every post is ready, select Post all.
After posting, you can add more posts to the thread from the thread page. With this tool, copy each post in order and paste it into its own box in the composer.
Twitter character limit and how X counts
Most accounts can write up to 280 characters per post. Some accounts have a higher limit, so check what your composer allows and type that number into the Limit box above.
| What you type | Counts as |
|---|---|
| A link, whatever its length | 23 |
| An emoji | 2 |
| A Chinese, Japanese or Korean character | 2 |
| Other letters, numbers, spaces and punctuation | 1 |
This tool applies the same weighting to every post, numbering included. To check a single post, use the Twitter character counter. Writing for Meta's Threads instead? The Threads thread generator uses its 500 character limit.
Twitter thread template
Each template below is split into posts with --- lines and fits 280 characters per post, numbering included. Replace the text in brackets, or load one into the editor.
Hook and story
Use it to tell what happened, from the first moment to what you learned. 6 posts.
Show template
How-to guide
Use it to walk readers through a task one step per post. 6 posts.
Show template
Lessons learned
Use it to share what an experience taught you, one lesson per post. 6 posts.
Show template
Listicle
Use it to share a numbered list of tools, ideas or resources. 7 posts.
Show template
Case study
Use it to break down a project: the starting point, what changed and the result. 6 posts.
Show template
Product announcement
Use it to launch a product or feature and say who it is for. 6 posts.
Show template
Twitter thread format and numbering
A common structure is a hook post, a few posts with one point each, and a closing post. Numbers help readers see where they are, and this tool can add them in these styles, at the start or the end of each post:
- 1/5
- Shows the total, so readers know how long the thread is. Pick it when the thread is finished before you post.
- (1/5)
- The same information in brackets, which some people find easier to scan.
- 1.
- Short and list-like. Suits a thread that reads as a numbered list.
- 1/
- No total, so you can add more posts later without renumbering.
- None
- No numbers. Fine for short threads or when each post stands alone.
No numbering style is known to work better than another, so pick the one that suits your thread. To add bold or italic words, use the Twitter Text Formatter, and note that X may count styled letters as 2 each.
Twitter thread examples
These are formats, not real posts: the opening post of each template above, with the placeholders still in brackets. To see how a post might look as an image for a slide or a lesson, try the Fake Tweet Generator.
Format: Hook and story
[One-line hook about what happened]. Here is the story of how [you or your team] went from [starting point] to [result].
Format: How-to guide
How to [get a specific result] in [number] steps, even if [common obstacle]:
Format: Lessons learned
[Number] lessons from [experience or time period]:
Format: Listicle
[Number] [tools, ideas or resources] for [audience or goal]:
Format: Case study
How [client or project] [reached a result] in [time frame]. A breakdown:
Format: Product announcement
Introducing [product name]: [one-line description of what it does].
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a thread on Twitter?
Write your first post, tap the plus icon to add each next post, then post them all together. The step-by-step guide above covers the X app and desktop.
What is the character limit for a tweet?
280 characters for most accounts. Some accounts have a higher limit, so check your composer and set the Limit box to match.
How does X count links and emoji?
Every link counts as 23 characters whatever its length, each emoji counts as 2, and Chinese, Japanese and Korean characters count as 2. Most other characters count as 1. This tool uses the same rules.
Can I add numbering to my thread?
Yes. Choose 1/5, (1/5), 1. or 1/ in the Numbering menu and put the number at the start or end of each post, or turn numbering off. The number counts toward each post's limit.
What is the maximum number of tweets in a thread?
X's help page does not state a limit on posts in a thread, so check the app if you plan a very long one.
Why does my text split at different places?
The tool keeps paragraphs together where it can, then splits at sentence ends, then between words. Only a single word longer than a whole post is cut, and links are never cut. Type --- on its own line to force a new post.
Is it free and is my text stored?
It is free with no signup. Everything runs in your browser, and your text is not uploaded or stored.