Twitter lets you edit tweets for up to 30 minutes after posting

When you post a tweet, you can change the text, add or remove images, or delete it entirely within 30 minutes. After that window closes, the tweet is locked and cannot be edited — you can only delete it. This 30-minute window applies whether you posted the tweet yourself or it was scheduled to post automatically.

Twitter shows readers that a tweet has been edited by adding an "Edited" label with a timestamp below the original post. Anyone can click that label to see what the tweet said before you changed it. This transparency means your edit history is visible, so edits are useful for fixing typos or adding context, but not for hiding what you originally wrote.

The edit feature works on Twitter's web version, the Twitter app for iPhone and Android, and Twitter's desktop app. The steps are the same across all three.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 30 minutes from the moment you post a tweet to edit or delete it; after that, editing is no longer possible.
  • When you edit a tweet, Twitter displays an "Edited" label so other users can see that the post was changed and view the original version.
  • To edit a tweet, tap or click the three-dot menu on the tweet itself, then select "Edit Tweet" from the dropdown menu.
  • Deleting a tweet removes it from your profile and from other users' feeds immediately, and this action cannot be undone.

How to edit a tweet on the web or app

Step 1: Find the tweet you want to edit. Locate the tweet on your profile, in your home feed, or anywhere else it appears. The tweet must have been posted within the last 30 minutes.

Step 2: Tap or click the three-dot menu icon. On the web version, this icon appears in the top right corner of the tweet. On the mobile app, it also appears in the top right. The icon looks like three dots stacked vertically.

Step 3: Select "Edit Tweet" from the menu. A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Click or tap "Edit Tweet" — this is usually the first or second option in the list.

Step 4: Make your changes. The tweet will open in edit mode, showing the text in an editable box. You can change the words, add or remove images, or adjust any other content. The character limit still applies — your edited tweet cannot exceed 280 characters (or 4,000 characters if you have Twitter Premium).

Step 5: Click or tap "Post" to save your changes. The edited tweet will replace the original immediately. The "Edited" label will appear below the tweet with the date and time of your edit.

How to delete a tweet

Step 1: Find the tweet you want to delete. You can delete any tweet you posted, regardless of how long ago it was posted. Unlike editing, there is no time limit on deletion.

Step 2: Tap or click the three-dot menu icon. This appears in the top right corner of the tweet on both web and mobile versions.

Step 3: Select "Delete" from the menu. A confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure you want to delete the tweet.

Step 4: Confirm the deletion. Click or tap the "Delete" button in the confirmation box. The tweet will be removed from your profile, your followers' feeds, and search results immediately. This action cannot be undone — once deleted, the tweet is gone.

What happens when you edit a tweet

When you edit a tweet, everyone who has already seen the original version will not be notified of the change. The edited version appears in feeds and on profiles going forward, but people who saw the original tweet before the edit will not receive a notification that you changed it. This means some of your followers may not see the updated version unless they return to your profile or the tweet appears in their feed again.

The "Edited" label is visible to everyone, so readers can click it to compare the original and edited versions. This is useful if you made a significant change — readers will understand what you corrected or added. However, if you are trying to fix a small typo, the label still appears and may draw more attention to the mistake than if you had left it alone.

Retweets of your original tweet are not affected by your edit. If someone retweeted your tweet before you edited it, their retweet will still show the original version, not the edited one. The edit only changes the version on your own profile and in new feeds that pull from your account.

Common mistakes when editing tweets

The most common mistake is waiting too long to edit. If you realize you made a typo or error more than 30 minutes after posting, the edit button will no longer appear. Your only option at that point is to delete the tweet and post a new one. Check your tweets soon after posting if you think there might be an error.

Another mistake is assuming that editing a tweet will hide the original version. The "Edited" label makes the original visible to anyone who clicks it, so editing is not a way to remove something you regret saying. If you posted something you truly want to remove from the internet, deletion is the only option.

Some users also forget that the edit feature does not send a notification to followers. If you edit a tweet to add important information or correct misinformation, you may want to reply to the tweet with a follow-up message to make sure people see the update. This is especially important if the original tweet received a lot of engagement.

Editing tweets with images or links

You can add, remove, or replace images when you edit a tweet. To add an image to an existing tweet, open the edit window and click or tap the image icon. To remove an image, click or tap the X on the image thumbnail. To replace an image, remove the old one and add a new one in the same step.

Links in tweets can be edited like any other text. If you included a link and want to change the URL, simply edit the text and type the new link. Twitter will automatically shorten the link display, so the character count may change slightly. Make sure the new link works before you post the edit.

If your tweet includes a poll, you cannot edit the poll options themselves. You can only edit the text above the poll. If you need to change the poll options, you must delete the tweet and post a new one with the corrected poll.

Why you might not see the edit button

If more than 30 minutes have passed since you posted the tweet, the edit button will not appear. This is the most common reason. Check the timestamp on the tweet — if it says the tweet was posted more than half an hour ago, editing is no longer possible.

If you are using an older version of the Twitter app or an unsupported browser, the edit feature may not work. Make sure your app is updated to the latest version. On the web, use a current version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge for the best experience.

Tweets posted before Twitter introduced the edit feature in September 2022 cannot be edited, even if they are recent. These older tweets can only be deleted. This is rare unless you are working with a very old account, but it is worth knowing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a retweet?

No. You cannot edit a retweet of someone else's tweet. You can only delete it and post a new retweet if needed. If you want to add your own comment to someone else's tweet, reply to it instead of retweeting.

What if I edit a tweet and then delete it?

Once you delete a tweet, it is gone completely — the edit history is also removed. Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone, whether or not you edited the tweet first.

Can other people see the edit history of my tweets?

Yes. When someone clicks the "Edited" label on your tweet, they can see the original version and all edited versions in order. This is visible to anyone viewing the tweet, not just your followers.

If I edit a tweet, will it get new engagement?

No. Editing does not reset the engagement counter or push the tweet back to the top of feeds. The tweet keeps its original timestamp and engagement numbers. Edits are useful for corrections but not for boosting visibility.

Can I edit a tweet that someone quoted or replied to?

Yes, you can edit your tweet even if others have quoted it or replied to it. However, the quoted tweets and replies will still show the original version of your tweet, not the edited one. Your followers will see the edit, but the quoted versions elsewhere will remain unchanged.