You can edit a tweet for up to 30 minutes after posting it

Twitter's edit feature lets you change the text, add or remove links, and fix images in a tweet you've already posted — but only within a 30-minute window. After that window closes, the tweet is locked and you cannot change it. The edit button appears on your own tweets when you hover over them, and edited tweets show a small "edited" label so people know the content changed.

This is different from deleting and reposting. When you edit, the original timestamp stays the same, and the tweet keeps its likes, replies, and retweets. People who already saw the original version will see the updated one if they look at the tweet again, but they won't get a notification that it changed.

Key Takeaways

  • The edit window closes 30 minutes after you post, so you need to catch mistakes quickly.
  • Edited tweets keep their original timestamp and engagement (likes, retweets, replies), unlike deleted tweets that start over.
  • The edit button appears when you hover over your own tweet and is labeled with a pencil icon.
  • An "edited" label appears below the timestamp so readers know the content changed.
  • You cannot edit retweets, replies to other people's tweets, or tweets that have been quoted.

Where to find the edit button on your tweet

On desktop, move your mouse over the tweet you want to change. A menu of icons appears in the top right corner of the tweet. Click the three dots (more options menu), then select "Edit Tweet" from the dropdown. On mobile, tap the three dots in the top right corner of your tweet, then tap "Edit Tweet."

The edit button only shows on tweets you posted yourself. You cannot edit tweets from other accounts, even if you have admin access to a shared account — only the original poster can edit.

What you can and cannot change in an edited tweet

You can edit the text of your tweet, add or remove links, change which image or video is attached, and add or remove alt text descriptions. You cannot change who the tweet is replying to, add new media if the original had none, or change a regular tweet into a reply or quote tweet.

If your original tweet was a reply to someone else's tweet, you can edit the text but the reply connection stays the same — you cannot turn it into a standalone tweet. Similarly, if you posted a tweet with an image, you can swap the image for a different one, but you cannot remove all images and post text-only instead.

How to edit a tweet step by step

First, find the tweet you want to change. It must be one you posted yourself, and you must edit it within 30 minutes of posting. Hover over the tweet (on desktop) or tap it (on mobile) to reveal the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Click or tap the three dots, then select "Edit Tweet" from the menu that appears.

A text box opens with your original tweet text highlighted. Make your changes — fix typos, reword sentences, add or remove links, or update the alt text on images. When you're done, click "Update" (desktop) or tap "Update" (mobile). The tweet updates immediately, and the "edited" label appears below the timestamp.

What happens when you edit a tweet

The edited tweet replaces the original version everywhere on Twitter. Anyone viewing your profile, your timeline, or a search result will see the updated text. The timestamp does not change — it still shows the original time you posted, not the time you edited. The "edited" label sits below the timestamp and shows the date and time of the most recent edit if you edited it more than once.

Likes, retweets, and replies stay attached to the tweet. If someone quoted your original tweet before you edited it, their quote still shows your original text — editing does not change what appears in quote tweets. If someone replied to your original tweet, their reply stays connected even if you change the text they were responding to.

When you cannot edit a tweet

Once 30 minutes have passed, the edit button disappears and you cannot change the tweet. At that point, your only option is to delete the tweet and post a new one. Deleting removes all likes, retweets, and replies, so if the tweet has engagement, you may want to leave it as is or post a follow-up correction instead.

You also cannot edit retweets you've shared from other accounts. If you retweeted something and want to change it, you have to delete the retweet and post a new one. The same applies to tweets you've quoted — once you post a quote tweet, you can edit your own comment text but not the quoted tweet itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can people see that I edited a tweet?

Yes. An "edited" label appears below the timestamp on any tweet you've changed. The label shows the date and time of the edit, so people know the content changed and when. This is visible to everyone who views the tweet.

What if I edit a tweet and then want to undo the change?

You cannot undo an edit directly. If you want to restore the original text, you have to edit the tweet again and type the original wording back in — as long as you're still within the 30-minute window. After 30 minutes, you cannot edit at all.

Do people get notified when I edit a tweet?

No. People who liked or replied to your original tweet do not get a notification that you edited it. They will only see the change if they view the tweet again after you've edited it.

Can I edit a tweet that someone else quoted?

Yes, you can edit your original tweet, but the quoted version in their tweet will still show your original text. Editing does not change what appears in quote tweets that were posted before the edit.