How to Cite Twitter (X) in Chicago 17 Format

Twitter (now rebranded as X) presents unique citation challenges because posts are short, ephemeral, and often lack traditional bibliographic elements like titles. The Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition treats tweets as a distinct source type within social media, with specific conventions for handling usernames, the text of the post itself, and the platform's name change. Since tweets can be deleted or accounts suspended without notice, careful citation practices—including noting access dates and archiving URLs—are especially important.

This guide covers the specific rules for citing tweets and X posts under Chicago 17th Edition guidelines, building on the general principles for citing social media in Chicago format.

Where to Find Citation Information on Twitter (X)

Every element you need for a Chicago citation can be found directly on the tweet or post itself, but knowing where to look saves time and prevents errors.

Author Name and Handle

The display name appears in bold above the tweet text, and the handle (beginning with @) appears directly below or beside it in lighter text. Use the person's real name as the primary author when it is known. If only a username or pseudonym is available, use that in place of the real name. The handle always appears in parentheses after the name.

Date of the Post

Click or tap on the tweet to open it individually. The full date and time appear below the tweet text on the detail view. On the timeline feed, you may only see relative times like "2h" or "Mar 5," so always open the individual tweet to confirm the complete date.

The Tweet Text

The full text of the tweet serves as the title equivalent. Chicago style places this in quotation marks. If the tweet exceeds roughly 160 characters, quote the beginning and end with an ellipsis in between. Preserve the original spelling, capitalization, hashtags, and emoji as they appear.

The URL

Click the share icon (arrow) on the tweet and select "Copy link." The URL format is typically https://x.com/handle/status/[number] or the older https://twitter.com/handle/status/[number]. Either format is acceptable. For stability, consider saving an archived version through the Wayback Machine.

Platform Name

Use "Twitter" for posts made before the rebrand (pre-July 2023), "X" for posts made after the rebrand, or "Twitter/X" if you want to be clear about the platform regardless of date. Follow your instructor's or publisher's preference for consistency throughout your paper.

Detailed Examples

Example 1: Standard Tweet by a Public Figure

A tweet from a verified public figure with a known real name:

Example 2: Tweet with Multimedia Content

When a tweet includes an image, video, or linked article, describe the media type in the citation:

Example 3: Tweet by an Organization

When the author is an organization rather than an individual, use the organization name in place of a personal name:

Example 4: Tweet Using Only a Pseudonym

When the author's real name is not publicly known, use the screen name without parenthetical handle notation:

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Identify the Author

Determine whether the account belongs to a named individual, an organization, or a pseudonymous user. For individuals, use their real name followed by their handle in parentheses. For organizations, use the official name plus handle. For pseudonymous accounts, use the @handle alone.

Step 2: Copy the Tweet Text

Copy the full text of the tweet exactly as written, preserving original spelling, capitalization, hashtags, and emoji. Place the text in quotation marks. If the tweet is very long (over 160 characters), use the opening words, an ellipsis, and the closing words. Do not correct grammar or spelling errors in the original—use [sic] only if the error might be mistaken for your own.

Step 3: Note Any Multimedia

If the tweet contains or primarily consists of an image, video, GIF, or poll, add a brief description of the media type after the closing quotation mark of the text. Use lowercase terms like "photo," "video," or "poll." This replaces the need for a separate format descriptor.

Step 4: Identify the Platform

Use "Twitter" for posts from before July 2023 and "X" for posts from after the rebrand, unless your style guide specifies a different approach. The platform name is not italicized in Chicago style—it functions as a descriptive label, not a publication title.

Step 5: Record the Date

Open the individual tweet to find the full date. Use the format "Month Day, Year" (e.g., "January 15, 2025"). Do not include the time unless the exact time is relevant to your argument or multiple tweets from the same author on the same day need to be distinguished.

Step 6: Copy the URL

Use the share button on the tweet to copy the direct link. The URL should point to the specific tweet, not to the user's profile or a search results page. Both twitter.com and x.com domains are acceptable.

Step 7: Format the Citation

Assemble the elements in Chicago order. For a footnote, use: Author (@handle), "Tweet text," Platform, Date, URL. For a bibliography entry, invert the author's name and use periods instead of commas between major elements. Apply a hanging indent of 0.5 inches for the bibliography.

Common Mistakes When Citing Twitter (X)

1. Omitting the @ Handle

Chicago requires the handle in parentheses after the author name because Twitter handles serve as unique identifiers. Without the handle, readers may not be able to locate the correct account, especially for common names.

2. Italicizing the Platform Name

Unlike journal or newspaper titles, social media platform names are not italicized in Chicago style. Write "Twitter" or "X" in regular roman type. The platform functions more like a format descriptor than a traditional publisher.

3. Editing the Tweet Text

Resist the urge to fix typos, add punctuation, or standardize capitalization in the quoted tweet. The text in quotation marks must reproduce the original exactly. Emojis should be included if possible; if your publication system cannot render them, describe the emoji in brackets (e.g., [fire emoji]).

4. Using "Twitter/X" Inconsistently

Pick one convention and apply it throughout your paper. Switching between "Twitter," "X," and "Twitter/X" across different citations creates confusion. The simplest approach is to use whichever name the platform displayed at the time of the post.

5. Linking to a Profile Instead of the Specific Tweet

Every citation must link to the individual post, not the author's profile page. Profile URLs (e.g., https://x.com/neiltyson) do not lead readers to the specific content you are referencing.

6. Omitting Access Dates for Deleted or Volatile Content

While Chicago does not generally require access dates for stable online sources, tweets are frequently deleted. If you are citing a tweet that may not persist, consider adding "accessed Month Day, Year" after the URL or providing a Wayback Machine archive link.

Special Cases

Retweets and Quote Tweets

If you are citing a retweet, cite the original author, not the person who retweeted. For quote tweets, cite the person who wrote the quote tweet and describe or quote the original embedded tweet within your text if relevant. In the citation itself, only the quote-tweet author and their text appear.

Twitter Threads

For a multi-tweet thread, cite the first tweet in the thread and note in your text that the content continues across a thread. You may add a parenthetical such as "(thread)" after the tweet text in the citation if clarification is helpful.

Tweets with Replying Context

If a tweet is a reply and that context matters, mention the reply context in your running text rather than in the citation. The citation itself should cite only the reply tweet you are referencing, with its own URL.

Deleted Tweets

If a tweet has been deleted after you accessed it, still cite it with all available information. Add a note such as "(tweet subsequently deleted)" or "(no longer available)" after the URL. An archived version via the Wayback Machine or a screenshot strengthens your citation.

Notes-Bibliography vs. Author-Date

The examples above follow Chicago's Notes-Bibliography (NB) system, which is the more common approach for humanities papers. If you are using the Author-Date system, tweets appear as parenthetical references in the text and full entries in the reference list.

Author-Date Format

Note that the year moves to directly after the author name in Author-Date style, and the full date is repeated later in the entry. Confirm with your instructor or publisher which system to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use "Twitter" or "X" as the platform name?

Use the name that was current when the post was published. For posts before July 2023, "Twitter" is accurate. For posts after the rebrand, "X" is appropriate. If your paper cites tweets from both periods, use the respective name for each and add a brief note in your text explaining the platform name change. Some instructors prefer "Twitter/X" throughout for clarity—check your assignment guidelines.

Do I need to include hashtags and emoji in the quoted tweet text?

Yes. Chicago requires that you reproduce the tweet text as it appeared. Hashtags are part of the text and should be included with the # symbol. Emojis should be included whenever your word processor or publishing platform can render them. If they cannot be rendered, use a bracketed description such as [thumbs-up emoji].

How do I cite a tweet if the account has been suspended or deactivated?

Cite the tweet with all the information you recorded when you accessed it. Include the URL even if it no longer resolves, and add a note such as "(account suspended)" or "(account deactivated as of [date])." If you saved a screenshot or archived the tweet, mention this in your footnote. Providing as much identifying information as possible helps readers verify your source through other means.

Can I cite a tweet only in a footnote without a bibliography entry?

Chicago allows social media posts to be cited in footnotes or parenthetical references alone, without a corresponding bibliography or reference list entry—particularly when the post is mentioned in passing rather than serving as a key source. However, if the tweet is central to your argument or you cite multiple tweets, including bibliography entries makes your references easier to locate and review. Follow your instructor's preference.

For broader guidance on citing social media platforms, see our Chicago social media citation guide. For a complete overview of Chicago 17th Edition formatting rules, visit the Chicago 17th Edition style guide.