About This Tool
LinkedIn enforces character limits by field type that cause truncated messages or failed posts. Posts are limited to 3,000 characters but get truncated at 210 characters with a "see more" link in the feed, meaning most users never see your full message. Headlines max out at 220 characters and display in search results and connection requests. About sections allow 2,600 characters to showcase your professional story, while connection messages are capped at 300 characters. Manually counting characters while crafting the perfect LinkedIn content is tedious and error-prone. Hitting "post" only to discover your carefully crafted call-to-action was cut off at 210 characters wastes time and reduces engagement. This LinkedIn Character Counter provides real-time character counting with visual progress bars that change from green to yellow to red as you approach limits. See exactly how your post will appear in the feed with the truncation preview for posts, showing what viewers see before clicking "see more." Track character count, word count, and hashtag usage simultaneously. Optimize every LinkedIn field for maximum impact while staying within platform limits. Your text never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy while you write.
LinkedIn Character Limits by Field Type
LinkedIn enforces different character limits depending on where you are posting or updating your profile:
Posts (3,000 characters):
- Maximum post length is 3,000 characters including spaces and hashtags
- Posts are truncated at approximately 210 characters in the LinkedIn feed
- Users must click "...see more" to read beyond the truncation point
- Optimal post length for engagement: 1,900-2,000 characters (data from LinkedIn)
- First 210 characters should contain your hook, key message, or call-to-action
Headline (220 characters):
- Appears below your name on your profile and in search results
- Displays in connection requests and messages
- Should clearly communicate your professional value proposition
- Include keywords relevant to your industry for search visibility
- Avoid generic titles like "CEO at Company" - use descriptive language
About/Summary Section (2,600 characters):
- Your professional story and value proposition
- First 300 characters visible before "see more" cutoff on profile
- Use paragraphs and line breaks for readability (LinkedIn preserves formatting)
- Include keywords for LinkedIn search optimization
- End with a clear call-to-action (contact info, website link)
Connection Message (300 characters):
- Personalized note when sending connection requests
- 300 character limit is strictly enforced - exceeding prevents sending
- Generic requests have lower acceptance rates (personalized messages get 3x more accepts)
- Mention a shared connection, group, or reason for connecting
- Keep it concise - respect the recipient's time
Understanding these limits helps you craft content that maximizes visibility and engagement on each part of the LinkedIn platform.
The Post Truncation Problem
LinkedIn truncates posts at approximately 210 characters in the feed, which creates a critical optimization challenge:
What Gets Truncated:
- All characters beyond position 210 are hidden behind "...see more"
- The truncation happens mid-sentence - it does not wait for a natural break
- Hashtags placed after 210 characters have reduced visibility in the feed
- Call-to-action buttons or links buried after truncation get 60-70% fewer clicks
Truncation Preview Feature:
- This tool shows exactly how your post appears in the LinkedIn feed before truncation
- The preview displays the first 210 characters followed by "...see more"
- Use this to ensure your hook, key message, or CTA is visible without clicking
- Experiment with different openings to maximize visible impact
Optimizing for Truncation:
- Front-load value: Put your most important sentence or question first
- Use cliffhangers: End the visible portion with intrigue that encourages "see more" clicks
- Test headlines: Treat the first 210 characters as a headline for the full post
- Avoid buried CTAs: If asking for comments, shares, or clicks, do it in the first 210 characters
- Emoji strategy: Place attention-grabbing emojis in the visible portion for scroll-stopping power
Engagement Data:
- Posts with strong hooks in the first 210 characters get 2.5x more "see more" clicks
- 80% of LinkedIn users scroll feeds on mobile where truncation is more aggressive
- Posts that reveal value immediately (without requiring "see more") get 40% more comments
The truncation preview in this tool eliminates guesswork. You can see exactly what appears in the feed and optimize your opening for maximum engagement before posting.
LinkedIn Post Best Practices
High-performing LinkedIn posts follow specific patterns for maximum reach and engagement:
Optimal Post Length:
- LinkedIn data shows posts between 1,900-2,000 characters get the most engagement
- Short posts (under 500 characters) get quick likes but fewer thoughtful comments
- Long posts (over 2,500 characters) provide depth but risk losing readers mid-way
- Sweet spot: 1,900-2,000 characters provides enough substance without overwhelming
Hashtag Strategy:
- Use 3-5 relevant hashtags (LinkedIn recommendation)
- More than 5 hashtags triggers spam filters and reduces reach
- Mix popular hashtags (50k+ followers) with niche hashtags (5-10k followers)
- Place hashtags at the end of the post, not scattered throughout
- Create a branded hashtag for your content series or company
Formatting for Readability:
- Use single line breaks between sentences for mobile readability
- Add double line breaks between paragraphs to create white space
- Limit paragraphs to 2-3 sentences maximum
- Use emojis as bullet points or section dividers (sparingly)
- Bold text is not supported - use ALL CAPS sparingly for emphasis
Engagement Triggers:
- Ask questions: Posts ending with questions get 50% more comments
- Share contrarian views: Respectful disagreement sparks discussion
- Tell personal stories: Authenticity outperforms corporate speak
- Tag strategically: Mention relevant people/companies (but don't spam tags)
- Post at peak times: Tuesday-Thursday, 8-10 AM in your audience's timezone
Call-to-Action Placement:
- Primary CTA in the first 210 characters (visible in feed without clicking "see more")
- Secondary CTA at the end of the full post for those who read completely
- Common CTAs: "What's your experience with this?", "Drop a 👍 if you agree", "Comment your thoughts"
- Avoid desperate CTAs like "Please like and share" - add value first
LinkedIn's algorithm favors posts that generate genuine conversation. Focus on sparking meaningful engagement, not just accumulating likes.
Headline and About Section Optimization
Your LinkedIn headline and about section are critical for profile visibility and connection requests:
Headline Optimization (220 characters):
- Front-load keywords: Start with your primary professional role or expertise
- Show value, not just title: Instead of "Marketing Manager at XYZ", try "Marketing Manager Helping B2B SaaS Companies Scale to $10M ARR"
- Use vertical bars (|) as separators: "Growth Marketer | B2B SaaS | Speaker | Helping teams scale acquisition"
- Include searchable skills: Use industry keywords people search for (SEO, PPC, demand gen, etc.)
- Add a hook: Your headline appears in search results - make it compelling enough to click
Headline Formula Examples:
- [Role] at [Company] | [Key Skill] | [Unique Value Proposition]
- [Title] helping [Target Audience] achieve [Specific Outcome]
- [Expertise Area] | [Industry] | [Notable Achievement or Credential]
About Section Strategy (2,600 characters):
- Hook (first 300 chars): Start with your unique value or a compelling question - this appears before the "see more" fold
- Professional story: Who you are, what you do, and why it matters (not just a resume rehash)
- Achievements with numbers: "Increased revenue by 300%" beats "grew revenue significantly"
- Keywords for search: Naturally include terms recruiters and prospects search for
- Personal touch: Share your "why" - what drives you professionally
- Call-to-action: End with how to contact you or next steps (email, website, booking link)
About Section Structure:
- Paragraph 1: Hook and current role/expertise (visible before "see more")
- Paragraph 2: Your professional journey and experience highlights
- Paragraph 3: Specific skills, achievements, or methodologies (use numbers)
- Paragraph 4: Personal interests or values that humanize you
- Paragraph 5: Clear call-to-action with contact info
Search Optimization:
- LinkedIn's search algorithm scans headlines and about sections for keywords
- Include industry terms, skill names, and job titles people search for
- Avoid keyword stuffing - integrate terms naturally into sentences
- Use synonyms for key skills (e.g., "copywriting" and "content writing")
Your headline and about section work together as your LinkedIn storefront. Optimize both to attract the right connections, recruiters, and opportunities.
Connection Message Strategies
Connection messages have a strict 300-character limit, and personalization dramatically increases acceptance rates:
Why Personalized Messages Matter:
- Personalized connection requests have 3x higher acceptance rates than generic invites
- Generic "I'd like to add you to my network" messages get ignored or rejected
- Recruiters and executives receive 50+ connection requests weekly - yours must stand out
- First impression: Your message determines if they view your profile or hit "ignore"
Connection Message Formula (300 characters):
- Line 1 (Shared context): Mention how you found them or common ground
- Line 2 (Specific compliment or reason): Reference their work, post, or company
- Line 3 (Value or ask): Briefly state why connecting benefits them or what you seek
Effective Opening Lines:
- "Hi [Name], I saw your post about [specific topic] and really appreciated your perspective on..."
- "Hi [Name], we're both in [shared group/industry] and I noticed your work with..."
- "Hi [Name], [Mutual Connection] suggested I reach out about..."
- "Hi [Name], I'm researching [topic] and your experience at [Company] would be valuable..."
What to Avoid:
- Generic messages ("I'd like to connect")
- Immediate sales pitches ("I have an opportunity for you")
- Vague compliments ("I admire your work")
- Overly formal language ("I am writing to inquire...")
- Typos or grammatical errors (hurts credibility)
Character-Saving Techniques:
- Use "Hi" instead of "Hello" or "Dear" (saves 3-4 characters)
- Replace "I would like to" with "I'd like to" (saves 4 characters)
- Eliminate filler words: "just," "really," "actually" (saves 5-8 characters each)
- Use "&" instead of "and" in non-formal contexts (saves 2 characters)
- Keep company names short: "Microsoft" not "Microsoft Corporation" (saves 12 characters)
Examples by Scenario:
- Job seeker to recruiter: "Hi Sarah, I saw your post about remote dev roles at TechCo. I'm a senior React dev with 5 years experience, and I'd love to learn more about opportunities on your team."
- Sales to prospect: "Hi John, we're both in the SaaS analytics space. I noticed FinanceApp recently raised Series B - congrats! I'd value connecting to share insights on scaling data platforms."
- Professional networking: "Hi Emily, I loved your article on AI ethics in healthcare. I'm researching similar topics for my thesis at Stanford. Would you be open to connecting?"
Invest the time to personalize each connection message. The 300-character limit forces clarity, and a well-crafted note can open doors to career opportunities, partnerships, or valuable conversations.