What Does LMK Mean in Texting?

Did someone just ask you to "LMK" in a text message? If you were left wondering how to respond to such an unfamiliar acronym, then keep reading!

LMK stands for: Let Me Know

This common phrase is something you'll likely hear spoken in face-to-face conversations, which is essentially a request for information from someone, typically whenever they might be ready to provide that information in the future. It's the equivalent of saying, "Get back to me about this when you have an answer."

LMK is used casually and politely to request information from someone. It's best used when you want to show consideration for the other person's wants and needs. Its casual use also implies the individual receiving the request can take as much time as they need to provide the questioner with the information they're seeking.

LMK is commonly used in text messages because text conversations don't always happen in real-time, meaning texters can reply at their convenience. It's typically used to request information from someone about:

• Their future plans or their desires about a particular future outcome;
• A decision they need to make; or
• Their personal opinion about something.

Example 1

Friend #1: "Hey what are you up to next Saturday? We're going to a basketball game. LMK if you wanna come and I'll pick up an extra ticket."

Friend #2: "Sure, just have to check my work schedule."

This first example shows how LMK can be used to request information from someone about their future plans as well as whether they'd like to attend a future event.

Example 2

Friend #1: "Can we take your car tomorrow? Mine's not even starting... LMK."

Friend #2: "Yeah I'll drive."

In this second example, Friend #1 uses LMK as a request for information about a decision Friend #2 has to make based on the question that was asked.

Example 3

Friend #1: "LMK what you think about that apartment ad I just sent you."

Friend #2: "OK, I'll look it over on my lunch break."

This final example shows how LMK can be used to ask for someone's opinion.

The opposite of LMK is LYK, which stands for Let You Know. LMK is a request for information whereas LYK is a promise to provide information.

If you need some time to think about your future plans, a decision you need to make, or an opinion you need to give to someone, you could say, "I'll LYK" as a promise to get back to them with the appropriate information when you're ready.

If you decide to use LMK to make a request for information from someone and need it sooner rather than later, you can pair it with ASAP to add a sense of urgency. ASAP stands for As Soon As Possible.

This encourages the other person to contact you as soon as they have the information they need to provide you, rather than waiting longer than necessary.