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Code & DeliveryLGTMabbreviation · /ˌɛl dʒiː tiː ˈɛm/

How to Say "LGTM" at Work

In simple English

LGTM is one of the most common expressions in software development code reviews. When a developer writes LGTM as a comment on a pull request or merge request, it signals that they have reviewed the proposed code changes and found no issues. It is a quick way to give approval without writing a lengthy explanation. In some teams, LGTM is an official sign-off that allows the code to be merged; in others, it is just one voice in a larger review process. The term is nearly always written in asynchronous communication like GitHub comments, Slack, or email, rather than spoken aloud. A developer might say LGTM on the first read-through if the changes are straightforward, or after requesting specific fixes from the author. Using LGTM shows that you actively participate in code quality and team standards.

What does LGTM stand for and how is it used in code reviews?

Part of Code Reviews & PRs in the Knowledge Base.

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness5/5
Versatility4/5
FormalityCasualFormalCasual
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenWritten
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticDirect
RegionUS and UK
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Say it like this

✓LGTM, but please add a unit test for the edge case.
✓LGTM! Feel free to merge whenever you are ready.
✓LGTM pending a fix to the error handling.

Real examples

in a code review comment

"Sarah reviewed the API endpoint changes and commented LGTM on the pull request."

in Slack during a design discussion

"After discussing the new caching strategy, the tech lead replied LGTM in the thread."

in an email approval

"The security team sent back the audit: LGTM, you can proceed with the deployment."

Don't say this

Handle with care. LGTM should not be used as a full approval without actually reviewing the code. It means the code looks good based on a review, not that testing is complete or deployment is ready.

✕I will LGTM your code now.
✓Your code LGTM to me.— LGTM is not a verb; it is a statement of approval. You do not LGTM something; you give LGTM as feedback.
✕LGTM means the code is ready for production.
✓LGTM means the code review is approved, but testing and deployment checks may still be needed.— LGTM only covers code review approval, not full deployment readiness or quality assurance.
✕I said LGTM without reading the changes.
✓I reviewed the changes carefully before writing LGTM.— LGTM should only be used after an actual code review. Writing LGTM without reviewing is unprofessional and defeats the purpose.

Other forms

noun

LGTM

"The PR received three LGTMs from senior developers before merging."

abbreviation

LGTM

"Please comment LGTM once you have approved the changes."

Often used with

give LGTMto approve code in a review
receive LGTMto get approval on a pull request
LGTM + specific feedbackcombining approval with a condition, like LGTM pending test coverage
conditional LGTMapproval with requirements, such as LGTM after you fix the lint errors

Similar words

Approvedmore formal and complete, does not imply a quick review
Ship itmore confident and action-oriented, pushes toward deployment
Looks goodfull-sentence version, less technical and more conversational

Opposites

Request changesNot approvedNeeds work

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. You reviewed a teammate's code and found no issues. What do you write?

Complete the sentence

2. After reviewing the authentication module, the security team wrote _______ in the pull request.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses LGTM correctly?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this message using LGTM: I have reviewed your code changes and I think they look good to me, so you can go ahead and merge them.

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "lgtm" in a standup this week?

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