How to Quote Tweet in a Reply on X/Twitter (Step-by-Step Guide)

Quick answer: Start writing your reply, then paste the URL of the tweet you want to quote. X/Twitter will automatically embed it as a quote tweet inside your reply. Works on both mobile and desktop.

How to Quote Tweet in a Reply on Mobile (iOS & Android)

1. Tap the reply icon on the tweet you want to reply to
2. Write your reply text in the compose window
3. Find the tweet you want to quote in a separate tab or the app
4. Tap the share icon on that tweet and select "Copy Link"
5. Paste the URL into your reply text
6. X/Twitter generates a preview card of the quoted tweet automatically
7. Tap "Reply" to post

Tip: You can also long-press a tweet link in your clipboard suggestions bar (iOS) for faster pasting.

How to Quote Tweet in a Reply on Desktop

1. Click the reply icon on the tweet you want to reply to
2. Open a new tab and navigate to the tweet you want to quote
3. Copy the tweet URL from the address bar (or click share > "Copy link to post")
4. Switch back to your reply tab and paste the URL
5. The tweet preview appears embedded in your reply
6. Add your commentary above or below the link
7. Click "Reply" to post

Quote Tweet vs Reply vs Retweet: When to Use Each

When to Quote Tweet in a Reply

• Referencing a different conversation: Replying to Person A while showing what Person B said
• Adding evidence: Supporting your reply with another tweet as proof
• Cross-referencing threads: Connecting two separate discussions
• Sharing recommendations: Replying with a link to someone else's relevant tweet

When a Simple Reply Is Better

• Direct back-and-forth conversations
• Your response doesn't need external context
• You want to keep the exchange less visible
• The original author prefers replies over quote tweets

When to Retweet Instead

• You agree and don't need to add commentary
• You want to share someone's content without inserting yourself
• Speed matters more than adding context

Tips for Effective Quote Tweet Replies

1. Lead with your take. Put your commentary before the pasted link so readers see your perspective first.

2. Add genuine value. Don't just paste a link with no context. Explain why the quoted tweet is relevant.

3. Keep it concise. You have 280 characters for your reply text. The embedded preview doesn't count against your limit, but the URL itself does (23 characters).

4. Be respectful. Quote tweeting in a reply can feel confrontational. Use it constructively.

5. Check the preview. Make sure the tweet preview renders correctly before posting. Deleted or private tweets won't embed.

6. Tag strategically. Embedding a tweet alone doesn't notify its author. Mention them if you want them to see your reply.

Common Issues and Fixes

Tweet preview not loading? Make sure you're pasting the full URL (e.g., https://x.com/username/status/1234567890). Shortened or malformed URLs may not generate a preview.

URL eating into character count? Tweet URLs count as 23 characters regardless of actual length. Plan your reply text accordingly.

Quoted tweet shows "This post is unavailable"? The original tweet was likely deleted or the account was made private. Your reply will still post, but the embedded preview will be blank. Learn more about how to see deleted tweets.

Wrapping Up

Quote tweeting in a reply is a simple but effective way to add context and reference other conversations. Copy the tweet URL, paste it into your reply, and X/Twitter handles the rest.

Before posting, run your reply through our tweet analyzer to check engagement potential. For more content ideas, try the Twitter content ideas generator. You can also use our X card validator to preview how shared links appear on the timeline.