How to post a shortened URL in a Tweet on Twitter.com:
Type or paste a URL into the Tweet box on Twitter.com.
As you begin entering a URL, a message will appear at the bottom of the Tweet box letting you know that the link will appear shortened. A URL of any length will be altered to 19 characters*. Your character count will reflect this.
Click the Tweet button to post your message and URL.
Once a Tweet is posted, URLs will be assigned a t.co link ID but may appear as a shortened version of the original URL as shown below.
*Note: If you enter a URL shorter than 19 characters into the Tweet box, our system will still alter it to 19 characters. You cannot opt out of our t.co link shortener on Twitter.com. Why? Learn more here.
How to post a shortened URL in a Tweet from your mobile device:
Open your preferred mobile app, or a new text message.
Type or paste your URL into your Tweet, and post the message.
Review the message in your Twitter profile (or send an SMS to your shortcode that says "GET username" for your own username). You'll see your latest Tweet includes a shortened URL.
Note: Links will be adjusted with Twitter's link shortener wherever you post them. Some clients will adjust your character count as you compose a Tweet; some won't.
A note about URL safety:
Some URLs can be harmful. Please be careful when clicking on links that were shortened using an external link shortening service.
URLs converted by Twitter’s link service are checked against a list of potentially dangerous sites, and when there’s a match, users will be warned before they continue.
Always check to see what website you're on before giving out your password or downloading any software.
