LGTM stands for “looks good to me,” an acronym people use to approve work, review code changes, or agree with proposals.
The term appears frequently in digital workplaces and developer channels. It belongs to a broader group of everyday online shorthand that professionals rely on to save time and keep projects moving.
What LGTM Means
The primary meaning of LGTM is “looks good to me.” It serves as a fast stamp of approval when someone shares a draft, design mockup, or completed task. When a reviewer leaves this comment, they confirm that they checked the material and found no major issues.
In rare cases, people use LGTM to mean “let’s get this money” as an encouraging cheer before a shift or competition. However, the vast majority of people use it as the professional sign-off.
Where LGTM Came From
The exact origin of LGTM is unclear, but the abbreviation spread widely through software engineering teams and open-source coding communities. As developers reviewed code line by line, typing full sentences for simple approvals slowed progress. Reviewers adopted LGTM as a quick way to signal that a patch was inspected and ready to ship.
How People Use LGTM
People use LGTM as a standalone reply or as a brief review summary. It acts like a green light, letting the creator proceed without edits. Coworkers often pair it with terms like AFAIK when qualifying feedback based on available facts.
Here are common examples of how people use it in messages:
- “Reviewed the updated slide deck. LGTM, go ahead and send it to the client.”
- “Checked the bug fix on staging and everything runs cleanly. lgtm!”
- “Pushed the copy edits for the homepage. Let me know if that works.” “LGTM, publish it.”
- “Dinner plan at seven works for me. LGTM!”
- “LGTM, just remember to update the documentation before merging.”
How to Reply to LGTM
Replying to LGTM is simple because the abbreviation means your work is approved. A quick “Thanks for reviewing” or a thumbs-up emoji is standard in team chats. If you were waiting on approval to proceed, you can reply with your next action, such as “Merging now.”
Is LGTM Rude or When to Avoid It?
LGTM is not rude, but its brevity can feel dismissive if a coworker spent days on a major project. Adding a short note of appreciation prevents your response from seeming cold.
Avoid using LGTM with clients or people unfamiliar with tech jargon who may not recognize the acronym. Careless approvals also backfire; if broken code ships, teammates might react with an annoyed bruh when they realize nobody tested the update.
Similar Terms
A common alternative is SGTM (“sounds good to me”), often used when discussing plans rather than reviewing files. The lowercase variant lgtm carries the exact same meaning in casual chats. People also use “+1” to voice agreement or “ACK” (acknowledged) to confirm receiving an update.
FAQ
Is LGTM capitalized or lowercase?
You can write LGTM in uppercase or lowercase, as both versions share the exact same meaning. Uppercase is standard in formal code reviews, while lowercase lgtm appears often in casual team chats.
Can you use LGTM outside of work?
Yes, you can use LGTM outside of work in casual text messages to approve plans or agree with suggestions. If a friend texts a dinner spot or travel idea, replying with LGTM signals fast agreement.
Does LGTM count as an official approval on GitHub?
On GitHub, typing LGTM in a pull request comment signals that a reviewer approves the changes and considers the code ready to merge. While some projects require clicking a formal approval button, writing LGTM remains the standard convention.
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