What is TLDR?
Quick Definition
TLDR (or TL;DR) stands for "Too Long; Didn't Read"
It's an internet abbreviation used to provide a brief summary of long content, helping readers quickly grasp the main points without reading everything.
Whether you're writing emails, blog posts, or documentation, adding a TLDR helps your audience save time and get value faster. Here's everything you need to know about using TLDR effectively.
Try It: Generate a TLDR
Try It: Generate Your First TLDR
Good TLDR Examples
TLDR: Project deadline moved to Friday. Budget approved. Need your sign-off by EOD.
TLDR: Remote work increases productivity by 13% but requires intentional communication strategies.
TLDR: Q4 targets exceeded. New product launch in March. Hiring 5 engineers.
TLDR: Study of 10,000 users shows AI summarization saves average 2.3 hours per week.
What NOT to Do
"TLDR"
β Just saying 'TLDR' as a reply is dismissive and rude
"TLDR: stuff happened"
β Too vague - doesn't actually summarize anything useful
"TLDR: [500 word summary]"
β Defeats the purpose - TLDR should be brief (1-3 sentences)
When to Use TLDR
Emails
Start long emails with a TLDR so busy recipients can quickly decide if they need to read the full message
Articles & Posts
Add TLDR at the end of blog posts or articles to help readers who scrolled to the bottom
Slack/Teams
Summarize long discussion threads so latecomers can catch up quickly
Reports
Executive summaries are essentially TLDRs for business documents
Videos
Provide text summaries of video content for those who prefer reading
Documentation
Help developers quickly understand what a doc covers before diving in
TLDR vs TL;DR: Is There a Difference?
Both spellings are correct and widely used:
- β’TL;DR β The original format with semicolon, more formal
- β’TLDR β Simplified version, more common in casual use
- β’tl;dr β Lowercase version, often used in informal contexts
Use whichever feels natural for your context. They all mean the same thing.
How to Write a Good TLDR
1. Keep it brief
1-3 sentences max. If your TLDR needs a TLDR, it's too long.
2. Include the main takeaway
What's the one thing readers absolutely need to know?
3. Make it standalone
Readers should understand the TLDR without reading the full content.
4. Include action items if relevant
If there's something the reader needs to do, mention it in the TLDR.
Learn More About TLDR
Generate TLDRs Automatically
Don't have time to write TLDRs yourself? Let AI do it for you.