X Post Preview
Write your post, drop in an image and see the X feed version on the right. A post shows your display name, verified badge, handle and time on one line, up to 280 characters of text, then a 16:9 media card and the reply, repost, like, view, bookmark and share row. Longer posts on Premium fold with "Show more". Toggle dark mode and desktop to check both, then schedule it when it looks right.
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The card follows X (Twitter)'s current layout, including where "more" cuts the text. Real feeds vary slightly by device and app version.
What the X feed does to your post
A post shows your display name, verified badge, handle and time on one line, up to 280 characters of text, then a 16:9 media card and the reply, repost, like, view, bookmark and share row. Longer posts on Premium fold with "Show more".
X rewards a strong first line and a post that stands alone without context. Threads work for longer ideas; a single post with a link performs worse than one without.
How to use the preview
- Enter your name and paste your post.
- Add an image or your profile photo: both stay in your browser.
- Switch between light and dark and between mobile and desktop widths.
- Click "more" on the preview to see the expanded version, then copy the text or send it to the scheduler.
Why preview before posting
Most engagement decisions happen before the fold. If the first line is a half-sentence or the image crops off a face, the post underperforms and there is no edit that fixes it after the first hour. Previewing is a ten-second check that catches both. Social by InstantDM shows the same preview for all eight platforms side by side inside the composer.
X character limits (2026)
| Field | Limit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Post (free) | 280 | Weighted count: URLs count as 23, emoji and CJK count as 2 |
| Post (Premium) | 25,000 | |
| Display name | 50 | |
| Bio | 160 | |
| Username | 15 | |
| Alt text | 1,000 | |
| Direct message | 10,000 | |
| Location | 30 |
X image sizes (2026)
| Placement | Size (px) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Single image post | 1600 × 900 | 16:9 |
| Square post | 1080 × 1080 | 1:1 |
| Header | 1500 × 500 | 3:1 |
| Profile photo | 400 × 400 | 1:1 |
Need one of these sizes? Use the X image resizer.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters show before "more" on X?
X shows the whole post up to the 280-character limit.
What image size does X use?
Single image post: 1600×900 (16:9). The full size list is on this page.
Is my image uploaded anywhere?
No. The preview renders in your browser; the image never leaves your device.
Is the preview pixel-exact?
It follows X's current layout closely, but the real feed varies by device, app version and whether the account has hidden like counts. Treat it as a faithful approximation, not a screenshot.
Related free tools
Write it here, publish it everywhere
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