You’ll see “TL;DR” at the top or bottom of long posts, emails and articles. It’s a tiny bit of internet shorthand with a very useful job. Here’s what it means and how to use it.
| Meaning | “Too long; didn’t read” |
|---|---|
| Type | Internet abbreviation |
| Used for | A short summary of long text |
| Also written | TLDR, tl;dr |
Short answer: TL;DR stands for “too long; didn’t read.” It usually introduces a one- or two-sentence summary of something long, so readers get the point fast.
What does TL;DR mean?
TL;DR means “too long; didn’t read.” It has two related uses. Most often, a writer adds a “TL;DR:” line to give a quick summary of a long post for people who don’t want to read the whole thing. Less often, a reader comments “tldr” to say a piece was too long for them to bother with — which can come across as dismissive.
Where did TL;DR come from?
TL;DR started on internet forums like Something Awful and Reddit in the 2000s, where long posts were common. It began as a mild complaint and evolved into a helpful convention: writers now add their own TL;DR summaries as a courtesy.
How to use TL;DR (with examples)
- “TL;DR: the update fixes the login bug and adds dark mode.”
- “Long story below, but tl;dr — we’re moving the meeting to Friday.”
- “TL;DR: great phone, bad battery life.”
Put it at the very top for busy readers, or at the bottom to wrap up. Follow it with a genuinely short summary — one or two sentences is ideal.
Is it rude to say TL;DR?
It depends. Writing your own TL;DR summary is helpful and polite. Replying “tldr” to someone else’s effort can read as rude, since it basically says you didn’t value their writing enough to read it.
Related terms
More internet shorthand: what does SMH mean, what does AFK mean, and the full Words & Meanings section.
FAQ
What does TL;DR mean?
It stands for “too long; didn’t read,” and usually introduces a short summary of a long piece of text.
How do you use TL;DR?
Add “TL;DR:” followed by a one- or two-sentence summary, at the top or bottom of a long message.
What’s the difference between TLDR and TL;DR?
None — they’re the same abbreviation written with or without the semicolon.