How to Message Someone on Reddit (Chat and Private Message)

You've read a brilliant comment and want to ask the person a follow-up, or you need to reach someone from a community without doing it in public. Reddit gives you two ways to message people, and which one works depends on where you are and whether they're willing to chat.

Here's how Reddit's help centre describes each route, why a message sometimes won't send, and some manners worth following, particularly if you're contacting people for work.

Starting a Reddit chat from someone's profile on a computer

Chat is the main way people message each other now. On the website, Reddit's help says to go to the person's profile and click the Chat option just below their username in the profile card on the right.

1. Open the person's profile, by clicking their username on a post or comment.
2. Look at the profile card on the right of the page.
3. Click Chat, which sits below their username.
4. Write your message and send it.

Starting a chat creates a chat request. The conversation only begins once the other person accepts it, so don't expect an instant back-and-forth.

Sending a Reddit chat in the app on iPhone or Android

In the app, Reddit's help describes starting from your inbox:

1. Open your Inbox.
2. Go to the Chats tab.
3. Tap the new-chat icon.
4. Search for the person's username, select them and write your message.

Menus vary a little by app version, so look for the Chats area inside your inbox if the labels differ.

Sending a classic private message on Reddit

Older-style private messages still exist. Reddit's help says you can go to reddit.com/message/compose on desktop or mobile web, enter the recipient's username, add a title, then write your message. The same page lets you start several separate threads with one person, which is useful when you've got a few unrelated things to discuss.

Method	How it works	Best when
Chat	Starts a chat request that the other person must accept	You want a quick conversation
Private message	Sent with a title to the person's inbox	You want a titled, separate thread

Why you can't message someone on Reddit

If the button is missing or the message won't send, Reddit's help lists the likely causes.

• The person has turned chat off.
• You've reached the daily limit of chat requests you can send.
• Your account is new, and newer accounts face extra limits.
• Your account isn't in good standing.

There's also a blunter reason: they may have blocked you. Reddit's help on blocking says that if someone blocks you, neither of you can message the other or send chat requests. You won't always be told when it happens.

What blocking and reporting mean for Reddit messages

If a message you receive is unwelcome, you don't need to answer it. Reddit's help says blocking stops direct messages and chat requests in both directions, and it also asks you to report anyone who has broken its rules on harassment or threats. Blocking on its own doesn't make Reddit act on the account, so report as well.

If anyone threatens you or you feel unsafe, report the account to Reddit and contact the police if you're in danger.

Messaging someone on Reddit without being annoying

A private message from a stranger is easy to ignore, and often unwelcome. A few habits help:

• Refer to something specific they posted, so it's clear you read it.
• Keep it short and say why you're writing in the first line.
• Never paste the same message to a long list of people.
• Accept a no, or silence, as an answer.

What to write in your first Reddit message

The first message decides whether you get a reply. Think of it as a short note to a neighbour rather than a form letter. Open with the reason you're writing, mention the post or comment that prompted it, then ask one clear question.

Here's the shape I'd use: a friendly hello, one sentence about what you read, one sentence about what you'd like to know, and a thank you. Don't attach files, don't paste links to your own site in the first message, and don't write a wall of text. If they reply, you can add detail then.

Keeping Reddit conversations safe

Treat a private conversation with a stranger the way you'd treat any online chat. Don't share addresses, passwords or anything you'd regret seeing screenshotted. Reddit's help says you can report people who harass you, and blocking cuts off contact. If someone asks you to move to another app straight away, take that as a cue to slow down.

Reaching people on Reddit for business

If you're approaching customers or collaborators, a public comment usually builds more trust than a cold message. When you do write privately, say who you are and what you're offering. I cover the full approach in my Reddit lead generation walkthrough, and brand lessons from Reddit shows how companies won a welcome rather than a block.

If your contact is professional rather than casual, my guide on messaging someone on LinkedIn covers a more suitable place to start.

Frequently asked questions

How do I message someone on Reddit?

On the website, open their profile and click Chat below their username. In the app, go to Inbox, then Chats, tap the new-chat icon and search for their username.

Can I send a private message on Reddit instead of a chat?

Yes. Reddit's help says you can go to reddit.com/message/compose, enter the username, add a title and write your message.

Why can't I message someone on Reddit?

Reddit lists causes such as the person having chat turned off, hitting the daily chat request limit, a new account, or an account not in good standing. A block also stops messages.

Must the other person accept my chat first?

Yes. Reddit says starting a chat creates a chat request, and the conversation begins once the other person accepts.

What does blocking do to messages on Reddit?

Reddit's help says neither person can message or send chat requests to the other once one blocks the other.