How to Add a Line in a LinkedIn Headline

Making your LinkedIn headline pop isn't just about the words you use, it's also about how you present them. Adding a simple line break can transform a cluttered, single-line headline into a scannable, strategic statement that immediately tells visitors who you are and what you do. This guide will walk you through the surprisingly easy process of adding line breaks to your headline and offer strategies to make the most of that extra space.

Why Bother with a Multi-Line LinkedIn Headline?

Before getting into the how-to, let's look at why this small formatting tweak makes such a big impact. A well-structured headline is one of the most powerful tools for building your personal brand on LinkedIn. Your headline appears everywhere your name does: in search results, connection requests, comments, and the "People You May Know" section. A multi-line format provides immediate advantages.

• Improved Readability: Walls of text are intimidating. Breaking your headline into distinct lines makes it much easier for people to skim and absorb your most important information in seconds. Instead of a long string of titles and keywords, you present organized thoughts.
• Strategic Separation of Ideas: You're more than just one job title. A line break lets you dedicate space to different parts of your professional identity. You can use the first line for your primary role, the second for your specialties, and a third for your mission or value proposition.
• Visual Appeal: In a sea of standard, single-line headlines, a formatted multi-line headline simply stands out. The extra white space draws the eye and makes your profile look more polished and intentional. This can make a big difference when a recruiter or potential client is scrolling through hundreds of profiles.
• Enhanced Mobile Experience: With a significant portion of LinkedIn traffic coming from mobile devices, formatting matters more than ever. Mobile screens truncate headlines aggressively. By using a line break, you gain better control over what people see on their phones, making sure your most critical information appears front and center.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Line Break

Natively, LinkedIn's headline editor doesn’t have an "Enter" or "Return" key function that works. Hitting the enter key will simply save your changes or do nothing at all. The secret is to compose your headline in an external text editor and then copy and paste it into LinkedIn. This method preserves the line break formatting.

On Desktop (Windows or Mac)

The most foolproof way to add line breaks is by using a plain text editor like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac). Rich text editors like Microsoft Word or Google Docs can sometimes add hidden formatting that interferes with the paste, so a simpler app is better.

1. Open a Text Editor: Launch Notepad, TextEdit, or even a simple online text editor. Set TextEdit to "Make Plain Text" (Format > Make Plain Text) if it defaults to rich text.
2. Write Your Headline: Type out your desired headline exactly as you want it to appear. Use the Enter key to create your line breaks.
3. Copy the Text: Once you're happy with it, select the entire headline and copy it to your clipboard (you can press Ctrl+C on Windows or Cmd+C on Mac).
4. Navigate to Your LinkedIn Profile: Open LinkedIn in your web browser and go to your personal profile page.
5. Edit Your Intro: Find the intro section at the top of your profile (with your name and picture) and click the pencil icon to edit.
6. Paste Your New Headline: In the "Headline" field, delete your existing text. Now, paste the headline you copied from your text editor (Ctrl+V on Windows or Cmd+V on Mac). You should see the line breaks appear instantly in the field.
7. Save Your Changes: Review the headline to make sure it looks right, then scroll down and click the "Save" button. Your profile will update immediately with the newly formatted headline.

On Mobile (iOS or Android)

The process on the LinkedIn mobile app is almost identical. You'll need to use your phone's built-in notes application (like Apple Notes or Google Keep) to draft the headline first.

1. Open Your Notes App: Find and open your preferred note-taking app on your phone.
2. Draft Your Headline: Type out your new headline. Use the "Return" key on your phone's keyboard to add line breaks.
3. Copy the Headline: Tap and hold the text, select all of it, and choose "Copy."
4. Open the LinkedIn App: Go to the LinkedIn app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner, then "View Profile."
5. Edit Your Profile: Tap the pencil icon next to your intro section to open the editor.
6. Paste into the Headline Field: Tap into the headline field, delete the old text, and then tap again and choose "Paste." Your multi-line headline will appear.
7. Save: Tap "Save" to apply the changes to your profile.

Pro Tip: After saving, always check your profile on both desktop and mobile to see how the headline looks. Sometimes formatting appears differently, and you want to be sure you're making a great first impression on every device.

Best Practices for Crafting a Powerful Multi-Line Headline

Now that you know how to add lines, let's talk about the strategy. What should you actually put on those lines? A great headline is clear, concise, and tells a compelling story. Here’s a simple framework to follow.

Line 1: Your "Who" and "What"

This is the prime real estate. It's the first thing people read and what's least likely to get cut off on mobile devices. Use it for your primary job title or a strong "I help" statement.

• The Classic Title: "Senior Product Manager at Acme Corp"
• The Value Proposition: "Helping B2B Tech Companies Drive Revenue with Content"
• The Authority Builder: "Author of 'Selling Better' | Keynote Speaker"

Keep this line direct and focused on your core professional identity.

Line 2: Your Keywords and Specialties

Use the second line to add depth and provide an at-a-glance view of your skills. This is a great place for keywords that recruiters or potential clients might search for. Vertical bars `|`, bullets `•`, or other separators work well here.

• "SEO | Content Strategy | B2B SaaS"
• "Expertise in Agile Development, UX/UI, and Go-to-Market Strategy"
• "Specializing in Cloud Architecture &, DevOps"

Line 3: Your "Why" or Call to Action

The third line is your chance to add a human touch, a call to engagement, or your overarching mission. It makes you more than just a list of skills, it makes you relatable.

• A Mission Statement: "Building tools that empower creative teams."
• A Personal Touch: "Lifelong Learner | Fueled by Strong Coffee"
• A Call to Action (CTA): "Let's Connect and Talk All Things Marketing"

Remember the Character Limit!

You still have a 220-character limit for your headline on desktop. Line breaks count toward this limit, so be efficient with your words. Aim for clarity over cramming in every possible keyword. A headline that is strategic and readable will always perform better than one that is overstuffed.

Good Examples vs. Bad Examples

Seeing the principles in action makes them easier to understand. Here are a few examples across different roles.

Example 1: The Software Engineer

🔴 Bad (Single Line):
Senior Software Engineer at TechSolutions Inc. specialized in full-stack development using Node.js, React, and AWS for cloud infrastructure, former intern at MegaCorp, passionate about open-source projects.

🟢 Good (Multi-Line):
Senior Software Engineer at TechSolutions Inc.
Building Scalable Web Apps with React, Node.js &, AWS
Ex-MegaCorp | Open-Source Contributor

Why it works: The improved version is instantly scannable. It separates the title, the key technical skills (the "how"), and social proof into clean, digestible lines.

Example 2: The Freelance Creative

🔴 Bad (Single Line):
Freelance Graphic Designer and Brand Identity Specialist for startups and small businesses, creating logos, websites and marketing materials, contact me for collaborations.

🟢 Good (Multi-Line):
Brand identity Designer &, Illustrator
Helping Startups Tell Unforgettable Visual Stories
Available for new projects 📩

Why it works: The first line is specific. The second line is a powerful value proposition ("unforgettable visual stories"). The third is a clear and friendly call to action with a tasteful emoji.

Example 3: The Job Seeker

🔴 Bad (Single Line):
Aspiring marketing professional looking for opportunities in the digital marketing space.

🟢 Good (Multi-Line):
Digital Marketing Manager Seeking a New Role
Expertise in SEO, PPC &, Email Automation
Let's Grow Your Brand Together

Why it works: This version is confident and keyword-rich. It states the desired role, lists high-value skills right away, and ends with a forward-looking, positive statement. It transforms the candidate from someone "looking for a chance" to a professional ready to add value.

Final Thoughts

Adding a line break to your LinkedIn headline is a simple copy-and-paste trick that makes your profile more readable, professional, and strategic. By intentionally structuring your title, expertise, and mission across multiple lines, you can stand out from the crowd and give profile visitors a clear, compelling reason to connect with you.

Putting this much thought into your profile is a great first step, but a strong personal brand on LinkedIn also requires consistent, valuable content. We know old-school social media tools can feel clunky and get in the way of that. That’s why we built Postbase with a clean, visual calendar and reliable scheduling so you can plan and publish your LinkedIn content without the usual fuss. It helps you stay consistent, so your polished new headline gets the visibility it deserves.