LinkedIn Character Limit 2026: Posts, Profiles & More

LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network, making it essential to understand its character limits for effective communication. Whether you're crafting a compelling headline, writing thought leadership posts, or optimizing your company page, knowing these limits helps you make the most of your content.

Quick Reference Table

LinkedIn Posts

LinkedIn posts are the primary way to share updates and engage with your network:

• Maximum length: 3,000 characters
• Visible before truncation: ~210 characters (desktop) / ~140 (mobile)
• Hashtags: 3-5 recommended
• Media: Images, videos, documents, polls allowed

Post Structure Best Practices

1. Hook (first 210 characters): Grab attention immediately
2. Body: Provide value, tell a story, share insights
3. White space: Use line breaks for readability
4. CTA: End with a question or call-to-action
5. Hashtags: Add at the end, 3-5 relevant ones

Optimal Post Length

Research suggests these engagement patterns:

• Short posts (under 300 characters): Quick engagement, good for polls
• Medium posts (1,200-1,600 characters): Best for thought leadership
• Long posts (2,000+ characters): Stories and detailed insights

Profile Character Limits

Your LinkedIn profile has specific limits for each section:

Essential Profile Fields

Experience Section

• Job Title: 100 characters
• Company Name: 100 characters
• Description: 2,000 characters per role
• Media: Links, images, documents allowed

Education Section

• School Name: 100 characters
• Degree: 100 characters
• Field of Study: 100 characters
• Activities: 500 characters
• Description: 1,000 characters

Skills & Endorsements

• Skill name: 80 characters each
• Maximum skills: 50 skills

LinkedIn Articles

LinkedIn Articles (published through the newsletter/article feature) allow for long-form content:

• Article title: 100 characters
• Article body: ~125,000 characters (~25,000 words)
• Formatting: Headers, bullets, quotes, links, images
• Cover image: 1920x1080 pixels recommended

Article vs. Post: When to Use Each

Company Pages

Company pages have different character limits:

• Company Name: 100 characters
• Tagline: 120 characters
• Description (About): 2,000 characters
• Company post: 3,000 characters (same as personal)
• Showcase page description: 200 characters

Messages & Comments

Direct Messages

• Regular message: 8,000 characters
• Subject line: 200 characters
• Connection request note: 300 characters
• InMail subject: 200 characters
• InMail message: 1,900 characters

Comments

• Post comment: 1,250 characters
• Article comment: 1,250 characters
• Comment replies: 1,250 characters

LinkedIn Ads Character Limits

For advertising on LinkedIn:

Optimization Tips

For Posts

1. Front-load value: Put your key message in the first 210 characters
2. Use line breaks: Create visual breathing room
3. Ask questions: Drive comments and engagement
4. Time your posts: Tuesday-Thursday, 8-10 AM best for B2B
5. Use native content: LinkedIn favors content that keeps users on platform

For Headlines

• Include your job title and industry
• Add a unique value proposition
• Use relevant keywords for search
• Avoid vague terms like "guru" or "ninja"

For the About Section

• Start with a compelling hook
• Tell your professional story
• Include achievements with metrics
• Add a call-to-action
• Use keywords naturally

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the LinkedIn post character limit?

LinkedIn posts have a 3,000 character limit. However, only the first 210 characters (approximately) appear before the "see more" link on desktop, so it's crucial to front-load your key message.

How long can a LinkedIn headline be?

LinkedIn headlines can be up to 220 characters. This appears directly below your name on your profile and in search results, making it prime real estate for keywords and your value proposition.

What is the LinkedIn About section limit?

The LinkedIn About section (formerly called Summary) allows up to 2,600 characters. Only the first ~300 characters show before "see more," so start with your most compelling content.

How long can a LinkedIn article be?

LinkedIn articles can be up to approximately 125,000 characters (about 25,000 words), making them suitable for in-depth long-form content, guides, and thought leadership pieces.

What is the ideal LinkedIn post length?

For engagement, posts between 1,200-1,600 characters tend to perform well. The first 210 characters are most critical since they appear before "see more." Posts under 300 characters work well for quick polls and questions.

Do hashtags count toward the character limit?

Yes, hashtags count toward the 3,000 character limit for posts. Use 3-5 relevant hashtags and place them at the end of your post to maximize the visible content in your main text.