How the preview works
LinkedIn only shows the beginning of each post in the feed. On desktop that is roughly 210 characters or 3 lines; in the app, about 140 characters or 2 lines. Everything else hides behind the 'see more' button. This tool reproduces that behavior: as you type, the panel shows the post the way a reader would see it, with avatar, name, headline, reaction bar and, most importantly, the exact point of the cut.
You can switch between the desktop and mobile view, click 'see more' to expand and collapse, and follow the character, line and word counters. The name and headline fields are editable placeholders: put in your own to judge how the header and the first line work together.
Why the 'see more' cut decides your reach
LinkedIn's algorithm uses dwell time, how long someone keeps your post on screen, as one of its strongest quality signals. A click on 'see more' is an explicit sign of interest, and the reading time that follows reinforces it. That is why the first two or three lines are not an introduction: they are the ad for the post. They need to open a curiosity gap big enough to justify the click.
The most common mistake is letting the cut land in the middle of a sentence with no tension, or spending the first lines on greetings and context ('Today I want to talk about…'). Another is trusting the desktop preview and forgetting that most of your audience reads on a phone, where the space is smaller. The two-format preview exists precisely to avoid those traps.
Tips for the space above the fold
Treat the first line as a standalone hook with at most one idea. Use the second line to open the gap (a promise, a number, a question) and leave a line break right before the point where LinkedIn cuts, so 'see more' reads as a natural continuation. Avoid stacking emojis at the start: they eat space and some count as two characters.
- Start with the strongest sentence, not the context.
- Keep the first line under 210 characters (it is also your hook).
- Test both views: mobile cuts earlier than desktop.
- Use short paragraphs and white space to make reading easy.
- Validate the full text in the character counter before publishing.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters does LinkedIn show before 'see more'?
On desktop, about 210 characters or 3 lines, whichever comes first. On mobile, about 140 characters or 2 lines. The values vary with screen width and the number of line breaks, which is why the preview shows both versions.
Is the preview identical to the real LinkedIn?
It is a faithful simulation of the layout and the cut rules, but LinkedIn changes design details often and adjusts width per device. Use it as a guide and run a final check on LinkedIn itself if the cut is critical for your post.
Is my text sent to a server?
No. The preview runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is stored or transmitted.
Do emojis count as characters?
Yes, and some emojis count as two or more characters for LinkedIn. This tool counts each visible emoji as one symbol, so leave a small margin if you use many.
Can I use the preview for carousels or image posts?
The preview simulates only the post text, which is the part affected by 'see more'. For image, carousel or video posts, the text cut rules are the same.
How do I make the name and headline match my profile?
Just edit the fields above the preview. They exist so you can judge how the header and the first line look together; nothing is saved.