A Guide To LinkedIn Character Counts & Limits

LinkedIn Maximum Character Limits: A Complete Breakdown

1. NAME: First Name: 20 characters, Last Name: 40 characters
2. HEADLINE: 120-character limit
3. SUMMARY: 2,000-character limit
4. RECOMMENDATION: 3,000-character limit
5. PUBLISHER Post Headline: 100 maximum characters
6. PUBLISHER Post Body: 40,000 characters
7. WEBSITE Anchor Text: 30 maximum characters
8. WEBSITE URL: 256 maximum characters
9. VANITY URL: 5-30 characters after ‘www.linkedin.com/in/’ (a)
10. POSITION Title: 100 maximum characters
11. POSITION Description: 200-character minimum (2000 maximum characters)
12. INTERESTS: 1,000-character limit
13. ADDITIONAL INFO/ Advice For Contacting: 2,000-character limit
14. PHONE number: 25-character limit (b)
15. IM (Instant message): 25-character limit (b)
16. ADDRESS: 1,000-character limit (b)
17. SKILLS: 80 characters per Skill
18. COMPANY Name (Overview tab): 100 maximum characters
19. COMPANY About Us (Overview tab): 200 min / 2,000 max
20. COMPANY Update (Updates tab): 1,300 characters
21. CAREER Pages (Life tab): Company Leaders headline: 150-character limit
22. CAREER Pages (Life tab): Company Leaders description 150-character limit
23. CAREER Pages (Life tab): Employee Testimonials 400-character limit
24. CAREER Pages (Life tab): Custom Module title 150-character limit
25. CAREER Pages (Life tab): Custom Module body 500-character limit
26. CAREER Pages (Life tab): Custom Module URL label 70-character limit
27. SHOWCASE Page Name: 100 maximum characters
28. SHOWCASE Page Description: 75 minimum / 200 maximum
29. UPDATE: 1,300 maximum characters. (c)
30. MESSAGE (InMail): 200 characters (Subject) / 1,900-character limit (Body)
31. GROUP Discussion Title: 200 maximum characters
32. GROUP Discussion Body (Conversation): 2,000-character limit
33. GROUP Discussion Comments: 1,000-character limit
34. LinkedIn TEXT AD Headline: 250-character limit
35. LinkedIn TEXT AD Message Body: 75-character limit
36. LinkedIn Direct SPONSORED Content: 160-character limit
37. Profile ‘PUBLICATION’ Title: 255-character limit
38. Profile ‘PUBLICATION’ Description: 2,000-character limit
39. COMMENTS (on an article or a share/post): 1,750-character limit
40. PUBLISHER, photo/image credit: 250-character limit
41. INVITATION to CONNECT Message Body: 299-character limit

NOTES:

(a) Your custom link can contain 5 to 30 letters or numbers. Only the dash “-” is permitted as a special character.

(b) [14,15,16] Only your 1st-degree connections can see this information.

(c) [Status Update] Though the text limit is 1,300 characters maximum for updates, only the first 140 characters will appear in your Twitter post if you also post on Twitter from LinkedIn. Twitter is currently rolling out a new 280-character limit.  So, in theory, you’ll be able to use this extra space when you post from LinkedIn.

A really useful tool that will check your LinkedIn character limit for you is LetterCount.

Unfortunately, on the current LinkedIn profile, only the initial two lines of your summary are visible before a reader has to click ‘See more’ to see the full version. Our research shows you have approximately 200-250 characters (or 25-42 words) to entice your reader to click. My advice: Don’t bore them—get to the point. Pique their curiosity ASAP.

See our free e-book: 8 LinkedIn Marketing Tips to grow your audience, generate leads, and position yourself as a leader in your industry.

Why LinkedIn Character Limits Matter

LinkedIn’s character limits aren’t arbitrary. Rather, they’re designed to keep content short and sweet to improve user experience. 

So, what’s wrong with extensive content? It can quickly feel overwhelming, leading many to skip over it. This is particularly true on LinkedIn, where many users catch up during short breaks at work or between tasks. They might not have the time or desire to dive into lengthy posts. On top of that, when content is too long, its main message can sometimes get lost amid extra details. 

Also, many individuals prefer to access LinkedIn on their phones. But reading novel-esque pieces on a small screen isn’t always a pleasant experience. This further reduces the likelihood of engagement. So, while detailed content has its place, on platforms like LinkedIn, more concise posts often get more interaction.

Tips for Amplifying Impact Within Character Limits on LinkedIn

Make the most of LinkedIn character limits. Here’s how: 

Clear language:

Use straightforward terms to avoid confusion. This way, your content reaches a wider audience, and you prevent unnecessary jargon from taking up space. 

Effective CTAs:

A powerful “Call to Action” can be short. Focus on verbs that drive engagement, like “discover,” “learn,” or “connect.”

Active voice:

Active voice sentences are often shorter and more direct. For example, use “I achieved a 40% growth” instead of “A 40% growth was achieved by me.”

Eliminate redundancies:

Cut out needless repetitions or obvious statements. For instance, instead of saying, “In my personal opinion,” simply state your point.

Best Practices for LinkedIn’s Sections

Create concise and compelling content everywhere with these to-dos:

Headline:

Use primary keywords that best describe your profession or expertise. This improves searchability on LinkedIn. 

Summary:

Start strong. Given LinkedIn’s display algorithm, the initial lines should readily capture your core professional message.

Recommendations:

Highlight specific skills or projects. Instead of general praise, pinpointing achievements can offer more weight within the LinkedIn character limit.

Crafting Purposeful Content on LinkedIn

Every character on LinkedIn is an asset, a chance for you to shine. By adhering to the platform’s character limits, you maintain a crisp and coherent profile. This clarity boosts your visibility and positions you as a concise communicator. As a result, you enhance your credibility and appeal to potential employers or connections. 

Want to amplify your LinkedIn presence further? Explore Clearview Social for powerful employee advocacy solutions.

Adrian Dayton has penned two books on social media for professionals.  He is also the Founder of ClearView Social, a software application that empowers over 20,000 practitioners to tap into their firms’ individual networks. He co-wrote this article with Andy Foote, a trained Scottish lawyer. Andy is also a copywriter, marketer, and professional branding coach specializing in advanced LinkedIn strategies. 

Want to get more of your professionals sharing on social media? Download our free strategy guide, “10 Ways To Get Your Employees Sharing To Social Media.”