Sizes and limits reviewed
How to preview a social media post
- 1
Write or paste your post
The character count for every network updates under the text as you type.
- 2
Add images and your profile
Up to four images, your photo, name and handle. A link with no images shows as a link card.
- 3
Check each network
Switch networks, light and dark mode, mobile and desktop. Warnings flag anything over a limit.
- 4
Share it
Download a PNG or copy the image for approvals, or copy a link that reopens the same preview.
Where each network cuts your post
Every feed shows only the start of a long post. The line that comes before “more” is the one that decides whether anyone reads the rest, so check where it falls on each network.
| Network | Shown before the cut | Label |
|---|---|---|
| About 125 characters or 2 lines | … more | |
| About 210 characters on desktop, 140 on mobile, or 3 lines | …more | |
| About 480 characters or 5 lines | … See more | |
| X | 280 characters (longer posts need X Premium) | Show more |
| Threads | No truncation; 500-character limit | None |
| Bluesky | No truncation; 300-character limit | None |
Write the hook for the cut
How each network lays out images
| Network | One image | Several images |
|---|---|---|
| X | Shown close to its own shape, up to 16:9 wide | 2 × 2 grid, up to 4 images |
| Full width, 1.91:1 to 4:5 | Grid; more than 4 shows a “+” count | |
| 4:5 portrait to 1.91:1 landscape | Carousel, one at a time, with dots | |
| Full width, 1.91:1 to 4:5 | Grid of up to 4, then a “+” count | |
| Threads | Rounded corners, close to its own shape | Side-scrolling row |
| Bluesky | Rounded corners, up to 4 images | Grid of 2 to 4 |
Need the images at the right size first? The social media image resizer exports every size at once.
Why preview posts before publishing
- Catch a hook that’s cut off mid-sentence by “more”.
- See a portrait image cropped to a square before your followers do.
- Check that hashtags, mentions and links read cleanly, and that the link card shows the right title.
- Check dark mode: a logo or screenshot with a transparent background can disappear on black.
- Get sign-off faster: a client approves a picture of the post, not a text file.
Use previews for approvals
Agencies and marketing teams send previews for sign-off before anything goes live. Select All to download every network in one image, or copy a share link so the reviewer sees the same preview in their browser. In Hyvo, the same post moves through review and sign-off and then out on the content calendar, and you can write it for every network at once to begin with.
Frequently asked questions
How do I preview a social media post before posting?
Paste your text into the post preview generator, add your images and profile photo, and pick a network. The preview updates as you type, in light or dark mode and at mobile or desktop width. Nothing is published.
How many characters show before “more” on Instagram?
About 125 characters, or two lines, whichever comes first. The rest of the caption is hidden behind “more”, so the hook has to fit in that space. The preview cuts the caption the same way.
Where does LinkedIn cut a post with “see more”?
After about three lines: roughly 210 characters on desktop and 140 on mobile, sooner if you use line breaks. Switch the preview between mobile and desktop to see both.
Can I download the preview as an image?
Yes. Download PNG saves a sharp, double-resolution image of the preview, and Copy image puts it on your clipboard so you can paste it into Slack, an email or a slide. With All selected, you get every network in one image.
Can I share a preview with my team or a client?
Copy share link creates a URL that reopens the preview with the same text, name, numbers and settings. Images aren’t included, because they never leave your browser.
Are the previews exact?
They follow each network’s layout, colours, truncation and image grids closely, and we check them against the live apps. Networks change their apps often and differ slightly between devices, so treat the preview as a very close guide, not a pixel-perfect screenshot.
Is my post or image uploaded?
No. The preview is drawn in your browser. Your text is saved only in this browser so it’s there when you come back; images are never saved or uploaded.