MongoDB – limit() Method

Last Updated : 13 Mar, 2025

The limit() method in MongoDB is a powerful tool used to control the number of documents returned in a query result. It is particularly beneficial when working with large collections as it allows for the restriction of result set sizes thereby improving performance and reducing client load. In this article, We will learn about the limit() method in MongoDB with the help of various examples in detail.

What is the MongoDB `limit()` Method?

The limit() method in MongoDB is used to restrict the number of documents returned by a query. This is particularly useful when we are working with large collections, as it helps to limit the number of documents that need to be processed, thereby reducing the query execution time and improving application performance.

By using the limit() method, we can control the size of the result set and make our queries more efficient. The limit() method can be applied directly to the cursor object or as part of the find() query to fetch a specific number of documents.

The limit() method is especially beneficial when retrieving a subset of documents from a large collection.
Passing a limit of 0 results in no documents being returned.
MongoDB imposes no limit for numbers between -231 and 231, but values outside this range are undefined.
We can combine limit() with other query methods like sort() and skip() to control the result set’s order and pagination.

Syntax:

cursor.limit()

db.collectionName.find(<query>).limit(<number>)

number: The maximum number of documents to return. This must be a positive integer. If we pass 0, MongoDB will return no documents, and if you pass a negative number, the behavior is undefined.

Why Use the `limit()` Method in MongoDB?

When working with large databases, querying without any restrictions can lead to excessive memory usage and slow performance. The limit() method in MongoDB allows developers to:

Optimize Query Performance: By restricting the number of documents returned, the limit() method reduces query execution time, ensuring faster results.
Reduce Client Load: Limiting the number of documents reduces the amount of data transferred over the network, improving the user experience.
Handle Large Collections Efficiently: When dealing with collections containing millions of documents, using limit() helps retrieve only the relevant subset, avoiding unnecessary computation.
Improve Database Index Utilization: MongoDB can use indexes more effectively when a limit() is applied, improving performance in large datasets.

Examples of MonoDB limit()

To better understand how the limit() method works, let’s look at some practical examples. We will use a collection named gfg from a MongoDB database geeksforgeeks, which contains documents with a content field.

Database: geeksforgeeks
Collections: gfg
Document: Eight documents contains the content

Example 1: Limit the Number of Documents Required

db.gfg.find().limit(2)

Output:

Explanation: This query retrieves only the first two documents from the gfg collection. The result will be a subset of the matching documents, limiting the output to just two.

Example 2: Limit Documents that Match a specific condition

db.gfg.find({"content":/c/i}).limit(2)

Output:

Explanation: Here, we only want the two documents that satisfy the given condition, i.e., {“content”:/c/i}) in the find() method. Here, content is key were we will check whether it contains ‘c’ character in the string or not. /c/ denotes that we are looking for strings that contain this ‘c’ character and in the end of /c/i, i denotes that it is case-insensitive

Example 3: Limit Documents That Match a Specific Condition with a Larger Set

db.gfg.find({"content":/c/i}).limit(3)

Output:

Explanation: Here, we only want the three documents that satisfy the given condition, i.e., {“content”:/c/i}) in the find() method. Here, content is key were we will check whether it contains ‘c’ character in the string or not. /c/ denotes that we are looking for strings that contain this ‘c’ character and in the end of /c/i, i denotes that it is case-insensitive.

Performance Considerations with `limit()` Method

While the limit() method is a great tool for improving query performance, there are some best practices to consider:

1. Use Indexes: To ensure fast query execution, create indexes on fields that are frequently used in queries, including those used in limit(), find(), and sort() operations. This allows MongoDB to quickly retrieve the limited results without scanning the entire collection.

2. Combine with allowDiskUse for Large Result Sets: If the result set is large and MongoDB can’t fit the result into memory, use the allowDiskUse option to enable the query to spill over to disk.

db.gfg.find().limit(1000).allowDiskUse(true)

3. Avoid Unnecessary Limitations: Using limit() without considering the relevance of the query can lead to missing important results. Always ensure that the data you limit is meaningful and that you are not truncating essential information.

4. Pagination: When working with paginated results, use limit() in combination with skip() to fetch specific pages of data:

db.gfg.find().skip(10).limit(10)

This retrieves documents starting from the 11th document, limiting the result to 10 documents per page.

Conclusion

The MongoDB limit() method is an invaluable tool for controlling the number of documents returned by a query. It is particularly useful when working with large collections, as it helps to optimize performance, reduce client load, and make queries more efficient. By using limit(), developers can improve their application’s speed and ensure they retrieve only the relevant subset of data from the database. Make sure to incorporate this method into your MongoDB queries to handle large datasets efficiently.

MongoDB - skip() Method

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Article Tags :

MongoDB – limit() Method

What is the MongoDB limit() Method?

Why Use the limit() Method in MongoDB?

Examples of MonoDB limit()

Example 1: Limit the Number of Documents Required

Example 2: Limit Documents that Match a specific condition

Example 3: Limit Documents That Match a Specific Condition with a Larger Set

Performance Considerations with limit() Method

Conclusion

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Logical Operators

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Array Expression Operators

What is the MongoDB `limit()` Method?

Why Use the `limit()` Method in MongoDB?

Performance Considerations with `limit()` Method