LinkedIn Ads Character Limits: Sponsored Content, Text Ads & More
LinkedIn Ads have specific character limits for each format: sponsored content allows 200-character maximum headlines (70 recommended) with 600-character maximum intro text (150 recommended). Text ads are limited to 25-character headlines and 75-character descriptions. Message ads support 60-character subjects with 1,500-character bodies. Important: Text over 150 characters in intro text is truncated with “…see more”—and LinkedIn charges per click, so truncated text may reduce engagement.
This guide covers character limits for all LinkedIn advertising formats.
LinkedIn Ads Character Limits Overview
Quick Reference by Format
| Ad Format | Headline (Max/Rec) | Description/Body (Max/Rec) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsored Content | 200/70 chars | 600/150 chars |
| Text Ads | 25 chars | 75 chars |
| Message Ads | 60 chars (subject) | 1,500 chars |
| Dynamic Ads | 100 chars | 150 chars |
| Carousel Ads | 45 chars/card | 255 chars/card |
Sponsored Content
Important: Text over 150 characters in intro text is truncated with “…see more”. Since LinkedIn charges per click, truncated text may reduce engagement and waste budget.
Single Image Ads
| Element | Maximum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Ad name (internal) | 255 characters | - |
| Introductory text | 600 characters | 150 characters |
| Headline | 200 characters | 70 characters |
| Description | 70 characters | - |
Video Ads
| Element | Maximum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory text | 600 characters | 150 characters |
| Headline | 200 characters | 70 characters |
| Video length | Up to 30 minutes | - |
Carousel Ads
| Element | Character Limit |
|---|---|
| Introductory text | 255 characters |
| Card headline | 45 characters |
| Card count | 2-10 cards |
Document Ads
| Element | Maximum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory text | 600 characters | 150 characters |
| Headline | 200 characters | 70 characters |
| Document | PDF, up to 100MB | - |
Sponsored Content Best Practices
Introductory text (150 chars recommended, 600 max):
- Hook in first line
- Value proposition clear
- Keep under 150 to avoid truncation
- CTA included
Headlines (70 chars recommended, 200 max):
- Front-load important info
- Benefit-focused
- Clear action indicator
Text Ads
Character Limits
| Element | Character Limit |
|---|---|
| Headline | 25 characters |
| Description | 75 characters |
| Image | 100x100 pixels |
Writing for 25-Character Headlines
Challenge: Extremely limited space Strategy: One clear message
Examples:
- “Grow Your Business” (18 chars)
- “Free Marketing Guide” (20 chars)
- “Get 30% More Leads” (18 chars)
- “Try It Free Today” (17 chars)
Description Best Practices (75 chars)
Structure:
[Expand on headline] + [CTA or trust signal]
Examples:
- “Download our free guide to B2B marketing. Trusted by 10,000+ marketers.” (71 chars)
- “Join 500 companies already using our platform. Start free trial today.” (71 chars)
Message Ads (Sponsored InMail)
Character Limits
| Element | Character Limit |
|---|---|
| Subject line | 60 characters |
| Message body | 1,500 characters |
| Custom footer | 2,500 characters |
| Sender name | Your name/company |
Subject Line Strategy (60 chars)
Personalization works:
- Include recipient’s name or company
- Reference shared connections
- Mention specific value
Examples:
- “Quick question about [Company]’s marketing” (~42 chars)
- “[Name], a resource for your sales team” (~38 chars)
- “Invitation: Exclusive webinar for [Industry]” (~44 chars)
Message Body Strategy (1,500 chars)
Structure:
[Personal opening - 150 chars]
[Value proposition - 300 chars]
[Specific offer/content - 500 chars]
[CTA - 150 chars]
[Professional sign-off - 150 chars]
Best practices:
- Personal, not promotional tone
- Clear value for recipient
- Single, clear CTA
- Professional closing
Dynamic Ads
Follower Ads
| Element | Character Limit |
|---|---|
| Headline | 50 characters |
| Description | 70 characters |
| Company name | Auto-populated |
Spotlight Ads
| Element | Character Limit |
|---|---|
| Headline | 50 characters |
| Description | 70 characters |
| CTA button | 18 characters |
| Background | 300x250 pixels |
Jobs Ads
| Element | Character Limit |
|---|---|
| Headline | 100 characters |
| Description | 150 characters |
| Job info | Auto-populated |
Conversation Ads
Message Flow Limits
| Element | Character Limit |
|---|---|
| Initial message | 500 characters |
| CTA buttons | 25 characters each |
| Reply messages | 500 characters |
| Buttons per message | Up to 5 |
Conversation Design
Opening message:
- Grab attention quickly
- Offer clear choices
- Professional tone
Button text (25 chars):
- Clear action labels
- “Learn More” (10 chars)
- “Schedule a Demo” (15 chars)
- “Download Now” (12 chars)
Event Ads
Character Limits
| Element | Character Limit |
|---|---|
| Event name | Auto-populated |
| Introductory text | 600 characters |
| Event description | From LinkedIn Event |
Lead Gen Forms
Form Field Limits
| Element | Limit |
|---|---|
| Form name | 256 characters |
| Headline | 60 characters |
| Details | 70 characters per line |
| Privacy policy | 2,000 characters |
| Thank you message | 300 characters |
Lead Gen Best Practices
Headline (60 chars): Focus on what they’re getting: “Download Your Free B2B Marketing Guide”
Details: Explain form value briefly
Thank you: Confirm delivery and suggest next steps
B2B Writing Considerations
LinkedIn Audience Characteristics
Professional mindset:
- In “work mode” while browsing
- Expect substance over hype
- Value expertise and data
- Longer consideration cycles
Tone Guidelines
Do:
- Use professional language
- Include data/proof points
- Focus on business outcomes
- Respect their time
Don’t:
- Overly casual language
- Consumer-style urgency
- Pushy sales tactics
- Vague benefits
Industry-Specific Approaches
Tech/SaaS:
- Focus on efficiency/ROI
- Mention integrations
- Trial/demo offers
Professional services:
- Expertise signals
- Case studies/results
- Consultation offers
Recruiting:
- Company culture highlights
- Growth opportunities
- Specific role benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the character limit for LinkedIn sponsored content?
Sponsored content headlines allow up to 200 characters (70 recommended), with introductory text up to 600 characters (150 recommended). Text over 150 characters is truncated with “…see more”.
How long should LinkedIn text ads be?
Text ads are limited to 25-character headlines and 75-character descriptions—extremely concise.
Can I use emojis in LinkedIn ads?
Use sparingly. LinkedIn’s professional context means emojis should be occasional and appropriate (✓ and similar professional symbols work best).
What’s the message ad character limit?
Message ads (Sponsored InMail) allow 60-character subject lines and 1,500-character message bodies.
Do character limits include spaces?
Yes, spaces count toward all LinkedIn ad character limits.
Should I use shorter copy on LinkedIn?
Not necessarily. LinkedIn’s professional audience engages with substantive content. Use available space when it adds value.
Key Takeaways
- Sponsored Content: 200-char headline max (70 recommended), 600-char intro max (150 recommended)
- Text over 150 characters truncated with “…see more” (LinkedIn charges per click)
- Text Ads: 25-char headlines, 75-char descriptions
- Message Ads: 60-char subjects, 1,500-char bodies
- Dynamic Ads: Headline 100 chars, description 150 chars
- Professional tone essential for B2B audience
Conclusion
LinkedIn’s ad character limits vary significantly by format, from the tight text ads (25-character headlines) to the more generous sponsored content (200-character headlines max, 600-character intro text max). Critically, text over 150 characters in intro text is truncated with “…see more”—and since LinkedIn charges per click, truncated content may reduce engagement. Stay within recommended limits (70-char headlines, 150-char intro text) for best results. Try our free letter counter → to verify your LinkedIn ad copy fits within platform specifications.