Character limits on each platform
Every app caps how long a post can be, and the caps are very different. These are the limits at the time of writing. Apps change them now and then, so treat a bar near the edge as a cue to double-check in the app.
- Instagram caption: 2,200 characters
- TikTok caption: 4,000 characters
- X post: 280 characters on a standard account (paid accounts can post longer)
- Threads post: 500 characters
- LinkedIn post: 3,000 characters
- Facebook post: 63,206 characters
- YouTube title: 100 characters, description: 5,000
- Pinterest pin description: 500 characters
Why counters disagree about emoji
A single emoji can be made of several hidden code points. A family emoji or a flag might be four to seven of them glued together, so a simple counter can call one emoji seven characters. This tool counts what you actually see: one emoji, one character.
X is the odd one out. It weights some characters, so an emoji counts as 2, Chinese, Japanese and Korean characters count as 2, and every link counts as 23 no matter how long it is. The X bar here uses that weighting, so it can read higher than the plain count.
Your first line does the heavy lifting
Long limits don't mean people read long captions. Instagram shows roughly the first 125 characters, or the first couple of lines, before it hides the rest behind "more". LinkedIn and Facebook do the same with "see more" after a few lines.
So write the first line as a hook that stands on its own. Put the point, the question or the offer up front, and save hashtags and details for the end. The preview in the tool shows exactly what makes it above the fold.
Tips for captions that fit everywhere
If you post the same idea to several apps, write for the shortest limit first and add detail for the roomier ones. A 250-character version works on X, Threads and as an Instagram opener, and you can extend it for LinkedIn.
- Hashtags and mentions count toward the limit, so count them in.
- Line breaks count as one character each.
- Links in Instagram captions aren't clickable, so point people to the link in your bio instead.
- Read the caption out loud. If you run out of breath, it's too long for the first line.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters can an Instagram caption have?
Up to 2,200 characters, including spaces, emoji, hashtags and line breaks. Only about the first 125 show before the caption is cut off with "more".
What is the character limit on X (Twitter)?
280 characters for standard accounts. Emoji and some scripts count as 2 and every link counts as 23. Paid accounts can post much longer posts.
How long can a TikTok caption be?
TikTok allows up to 4,000 characters at the time of writing. It has raised the limit more than once, so check in the app if you're close to it.
Do spaces count as characters?
Yes. Every platform counts spaces, line breaks and punctuation toward its limit, so this counter does too.
Why does my emoji count as 2 characters somewhere else?
Many emoji are made of several code points, and some apps (like X) deliberately count emoji as 2. This tool shows the count you see, plus a weighted count for X.