# What is the LinkedIn message character limit?

**Short answer:** LinkedIn limits: connection request notes = 300 characters, InMails = 2,000 characters, direct messages (after connection) = 8,000 characters. Best-performing cold messages are 150-300 characters regardless of the limit.

Character limits and ideal lengths are different things. The technical caps are 300/2,000/8,000. The performance sweet spot is much shorter: top-performing cold connection notes are 80-200 chars (Gong.io 2024 data showed >150 chars cuts acceptance by 11%). First post-accept messages perform best at 200-400 chars — long enough to context-set, short enough that mobile prospects don't tap-away. InMails should be 200-500 chars unless you're attaching a piece of content that genuinely earns the read. Long messages signal templated outreach and tank reply rates. The exception: nurturing replies with a real prospect after the conversation is going — match their length.

- Connection note: 300 char max, 80-200 sweet spot
- InMail: 2,000 char max, 200-500 sweet spot
- Direct message: 8,000 char max, 200-400 sweet spot
- >150 chars on connection notes cuts acceptance ~11% (Gong, 2024)
- Match prospect length once they reply

## Related

**What's the best LinkedIn opener length?**
Cold connection note: 80-200 characters. First post-accept message: 200-400 characters. Anything longer signals automation and triggers prospect skepticism — they'll either ignore or scan for the pitch and bail.

**Should I use emojis in LinkedIn cold outreach?**
One occasional emoji can lift acceptance ~5% (👋 in the opener, 🎯 to highlight a number). More than one per message looks templated. Industry matters: emojis work in SaaS/agency outreach, hurt in finance/legal.


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Canonical: https://linkedcamp.com/answers/linkedin-message-character-limit
Index: https://linkedcamp.com/llms.txt · Full export: https://linkedcamp.com/llms-full.txt