---
title: limit
description: |
  The `limit` command restricts the number of documents returned by a query to a
  specified count. It is typically used after sorting or aggregation operations
  to retrieve only the most relevant or top results from a larger dataset.

  This command is especially useful for performance optimization or for
  displaying only a subset of high-value results (for example, the top 100 users
  or the most recent 50 logs).

  !!! note
      The `limit` command does not guarantee order unless used after an explicit
      `orderby`. If order matters, always pair it with `orderby` to ensure
      predictable results.
url: https://coralogix.com/docs/dataprime/language-reference/commands-reference/limit/
product: dataengine
feature: DataPrime Language
feature_id: dataprime-language
feature_identifier: dataengine/dataprime-language
last_updated: '2026-10-21'
---

# `limit`

## Description

The `limit` command restricts the number of documents returned by a query to a specified count. It is typically used after sorting or aggregation operations to retrieve only the most relevant or top results from a larger dataset.

This command is especially useful for performance optimization or for displaying only a subset of high-value results (for example, the top 100 users or the most recent 50 logs).

Note

The `limit` command does not guarantee order unless used after an explicit `orderby`. If order matters, always pair it with `orderby` to ensure predictable results.

## Syntax

```
limit <event-count>
```

## Example

**Use case: Show the top 100 users by activity**

Suppose you want to analyze the most active users by counting their log activity. After aggregating and sorting by total hits, you can apply `limit` to return only the top 100 users.

### Example data

```
{ "path": "/home", "user": "chris" },

{ "path": "/home", "user": "dave" },

{ "path": "/home", "user": "maya" },

{ "path": "/checkout", "user": "chris" },

{ "path": "/login", "user": "dave" }

{ "path": "/blog", "user": "chris" },

{ "path": "/about", "user": "Eugene" }
```

### Example query

```
groupby user count() as hit_count

| orderby hit_count desc

| limit 2
```

### Example output

```
{ "user": "chris", "hit_count": 3 },

{ "user": "dave", "hit_count": 2 }
```

The `limit` command truncates the result set to the first 100 users based on the ordering applied. **Since there are only 3 users** in this example, all are returned.

Note

You can achieve similar behavior with the `top` command, which combines ordering and limiting in one operation.