# Constraints

> Explicit, testable limits on the answer — length, tone, scope, allowed sources, forbidden claims, tech stack — that keep it useful.

Source: Promptea — https://www.promptea.me/en/glossary/constraints · Language: English · Last updated: 2026-11-09

## What it means

- Definition: a constraint is a rule the answer must satisfy. Typical kinds are length (<= 120 words), tone (formal, no jargon), scope (only the attached document), format and forbidden content (no guarantees, no invented figures).
- Why it matters: without limits, a model fills the gaps with the most generic answer. Constraints turn 'write something good' into something you can check.
- How to apply it: make each one specific and testable ('<= 35 characters' beats 'short'), state it positively when you can ('use only the provided data'), and keep the list short enough to be followed.
- Common mistake: piling on rules that conflict with each other. If a constraint can't be checked, rewrite it until it can, or drop it.

## Example

```text
Write 5 ad headlines for [product], audience [audience], main benefit [benefit].
Constraints:
- <= 35 characters each.
- No guarantees, no superlatives, no "best" claims.
- One concrete detail per headline.
Return a numbered list and nothing else.
```

[Open in Promptea](https://www.promptea.me/en/analyzer?prompt=Write+5+ad+headlines+for+%5Bproduct%5D%2C+audience+%5Baudience%5D%2C+main+benefit+%5Bbenefit%5D.%0AConstraints%3A%0A-+%3C%3D+35+characters+each.%0A-+No+guarantees%2C+no+superlatives%2C+no+%22best%22+claims.%0A-+One+concrete+detail+per+headline.%0AReturn+a+numbered+list+and+nothing+else.&purpose=marketing&target=gpt)

## Frequently asked questions

### How many constraints is too many?

When the model starts dropping some, or two of them conflict. Keep the few that change the result and cut the rest.

### How does Promptea use constraints?

Constraints is one of the six dimensions of the 0–100 score: it looks for explicit limits such as tone, length, deadline, region or rules the answer must respect.

## Related

- [Negative prompting: how to tell AI what not to do](https://www.promptea.me/en/guides/negative-prompting)
- [Prompt checklist (copy-paste) to get better outputs](https://www.promptea.me/en/guides/prompt-checklist)
- [How to score and improve your prompt quality before sending it](https://www.promptea.me/en/guides/prompt-quality-scoring)
- [Negative prompting](https://www.promptea.me/en/glossary/negative-prompting)
- [Evaluation](https://www.promptea.me/en/glossary/evaluation)