What is the full form of LGTM?

LGTM stands for "Looks Good To Me". Reviewers write it on pull requests, design docs or Slack messages to show they approve.

Usually, yes. On most teams an LGTM means you approve the change. Some teams also need the formal "Approve" button in GitHub or GitLab, so check your team's rules.

How do you reply to an LGTM?

A short "Thanks for the review!" is enough. Then merge, or wait for any other required reviewers.

What does LGTM stand for?

LGTM stands for Looks Good To Me. It is used in code reviews to signal that a reviewer has examined the code and approves it.

When should I use LGTM in a pull request?

Use LGTM after you have carefully reviewed the code changes and found them acceptable. You can also add conditions, such as LGTM pending a fix to the linting errors.

Is LGTM formal or informal?

LGTM is informal and casual. It is standard in tech company code reviews but would not be appropriate in formal business writing or client-facing communication.

Does LGTM mean the code is ready for production?

No. LGTM means the code review is approved. However, the code may still need to pass automated tests, security checks, or other deployment requirements before it goes to production.

Can I write LGTM without reviewing the code?

No. Writing LGTM without reviewing is unprofessional and defeats the purpose of code review. Only use LGTM after a thorough review of the changes.

LGTM Meaning and Full Form: Looks Good To Me

Commonness	5/5
Versatility	4/5
Formality	CasualFormalCasual
Spoken ↔ Written	SpokenWrittenWritten
Directness ↔ Diplomatic	DirectDiplomaticDirect
Region	US and UK

Say it like this

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

Use it at work

Approving

LGTM! Ship it.
LGTM, with one small comment.

Asking

Can I get an LGTM on this PR?
Need one more LGTM before merging.

Being careful

Please don't just LGTM. Check the tests too.
LGTM after the tests pass.

Don't say this

✕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.

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?

LGTM!I will LGTM this code.This code needs LGTM.LGTM is required.

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?

The code change is good; I will LGTM it now.I reviewed the logic and LGTM on the pull request.We need to LGTM before this can merge.Please LGTM this test coverage.

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.

Say it out loud

Phrase 1 of 3

"LGTM, but please add a unit test for the edge case."

We don't save your recording. The word check uses your browser's speech recognition.

More about LGTM

Real examples(3)

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."

More mistakes(2)

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.

✕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(3)

LGTM noun
"The PR received three LGTMs from senior developers before merging."
LGTM abbreviation
"Please comment LGTM once you have approved the changes."
Looks Good To Me full form
"LGTM (looks good to me), merging now."

Often used with(4)

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

Similar words(3)

Approved · more formal and complete, does not imply a quick review
Ship it · more confident and action-oriented, pushes toward deployment
Looks good · full-sentence version, less technical and more conversational

Opposites(3)

Request changes
Not approved
Needs work

Questions(8)

What is the full form of LGTM?: LGTM stands for "Looks Good To Me". Reviewers write it on pull requests, design docs or Slack messages to show they approve.
Is LGTM an approval?: Usually, yes. On most teams an LGTM means you approve the change. Some teams also need the formal "Approve" button in GitHub or GitLab, so check your team's rules.
How do you reply to an LGTM?: A short "Thanks for the review!" is enough. Then merge, or wait for any other required reviewers.
What does LGTM stand for?: LGTM stands for Looks Good To Me. It is used in code reviews to signal that a reviewer has examined the code and approves it.
When should I use LGTM in a pull request?: Use LGTM after you have carefully reviewed the code changes and found them acceptable. You can also add conditions, such as LGTM pending a fix to the linting errors.
Is LGTM formal or informal?: LGTM is informal and casual. It is standard in tech company code reviews but would not be appropriate in formal business writing or client-facing communication.
Does LGTM mean the code is ready for production?: No. LGTM means the code review is approved. However, the code may still need to pass automated tests, security checks, or other deployment requirements before it goes to production.
Can I write LGTM without reviewing the code?: No. Writing LGTM without reviewing is unprofessional and defeats the purpose of code review. Only use LGTM after a thorough review of the changes.