How to Make a Thread on Twitter

When you have a lot to say a Twitter thread is the way to go

A man composing a Twitter thread on the Twitter app on his smartphone.

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A Twitter thread is a series of tweets posted on Twitter that are connected to one another and can be read as one continuous post.

Most threads are written by the same Twitter user and are used to elaborate on an idea or thought that can’t be expressed within a single tweet. For example, someone may create a Twitter thread so they can properly communicate everything they liked about an anime series.

The phrase has also evolved to describe a tweet with a lot of replies by multiple users. For example, if numerous individuals begin replying to a tweet with funny meme images, and more users reply to those tweets with even more memes, the series of tweets can be described as a thread. Someone may say, “Check out this Twitter thread with all these hilarious memes.”

Are Twitter Threads and Tweetstorms the Same Thing?

Twitter threads and tweetstorms can be the same thing, but not always.

A tweetstorm is when someone posts numerous tweets in quick succession. If these tweets are replies to one another, they would also be called a thread since the reply function would link them together.

This isn’t always the case, though, and many tweetstorms simply consist of individual tweets with no connection to each other or any connecting context.

The phrase "tweetstorm" can also be used to describe multiple Twitter users tweeting about the same topic, but this usage has become a bit old fashioned.

How to Create a Twitter Thread

The simplest way to create a Twitter thread is to publish a tweet, then reply directly to it the same way you would reply to a tweet written by someone else. After the second tweet is published, reply to it with a third tweet and continue until your thread is finished.

While easy to use, one big problem with this method is your followers can begin replying to your tweets as they’re published, before your entire thread is finished. This can cause some unintended miscommunication and confusion, as people may begin asking questions about something you intend to add to the thread, but haven’t had a chance to write yet.

One way to avoid such a situation is to use Twitter’s native thread feature, which lets you compose an entire Twitter thread of numerous tweets which can be published at once.

This native Twitter thread tool is built into the Twitter website and apps. Here’s how to use it.

The steps for creating a Twitter thread are the same for the Twitter apps and on the web.

  1. Open the Twitter website or the official Twitter app on your iOS or Android device.

  2. Tap the compose icon to begin a new tweet. It looks like a floating blue circle with a pen in it.

    On the Twitter website, select the "What's happening" box at the top of the home page.

  3. Type your first tweet as usual.

    Composing a Twitter thread in the Twitter app on iOS.

    Don’t forget about hashtags. It can be easy to focus only on the writing when composing a Twitter thread, but don’t forget to use at least one hashtag in each tweet to make it more discoverable by users.

  4. Select the blue + icon in the lower-right corner.

  5. Type your second tweet.

    Every tweet in a thread is its own entryway into your conversation, so cast as wide a net as possible. If you’re making a thread about Star Wars, for example, don't use "#StarWars" in every single tweet. Shake things up with related tags like "#TheRiseOfSkywalker" and "#MayThe4th" in your other posts.

  6. Repeat until you’ve finished your Twitter thread.

    Composing a Twitter thread in the Twitter app on iOS.

    Use gifs, images, and videos. Adding media to each tweet in a thread is a great way to keep your audience engaged, especially if your thread is a long one. Try adding funny gifs that express what you’re feeling in each individual tweet.

  7. When you’re ready to publish, tap Tweet all. Your Twitter thread will now publish.

A common practice is to type the number of tweets in a thread in each post to help readers navigate your posts, like "1/5" for the first tweet; "2/5" for the second tweet, etc. This can be good for short threads, but it’s best to avoid this for lengthier threads as that can make it look too intimidating.