How to limit the number of responses on Google Forms
Last updated July 2026 · ~2 minute read
Short answer: Google Forms has no built-in setting to cap responses. To close a form automatically after a set number of submissions you either use the formLimiter add-on on a computer, or set a native Response Limit in Forms+ on your iPhone or iPad — no computer or add-on required.
Whether you're capping event RSVPs, first-come-first-served signups, limited stock, or a class quiz, here are the two reliable ways to do it — pick the one that matches how you work.
Why Google Forms can't do this on its own
Google Forms lets you manually toggle "Accepting responses" on and off, but there's no option to say "stop after 100 responses" or "close at 5pm Friday." That gap is why add-ons like formLimiter exist — and why response caps are built directly into Forms+ on mobile.
Method 1 — formLimiter add-on (on a computer)
- Open your form at forms.google.com in a desktop browser.
- Open the add-ons menu (the puzzle-piece icon or the ⋮ menu), search for formLimiter, and install it.
- Launch formLimiter from the add-ons menu, choose the limit type "Number of form responses," and enter your maximum.
- Click Save and enable. formLimiter checks your response count and closes the form with a message once the cap is reached.
formLimiter can also close a form on a date/time or when a spreadsheet cell hits a value. The trade-off: it only runs on the web, needs an install, and checks periodically rather than instantly.
Method 2 — natively on your iPhone with Forms+
If you manage forms from your phone, Forms+ builds the response cap straight into the editor — no add-on, no computer:
- Open the form in Forms+ (import it first if it isn't in the app yet).
- Tap the Response Limit button (the lock icon) in the editor toolbar.
- Set the maximum number of responses, and optionally a custom message shown once the form closes.
- That's it — Forms+ closes the form automatically the moment the limit is reached, and you can raise or remove the cap anytime.
Which should you use?
| formLimiter (web) | Forms+ (iPhone/iPad) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Desktop browser | Natively on iOS |
| Setup | Install an add-on | Built in — one tap |
| Limit by count | Yes | Yes |
| Limit by date/time | Yes | Yes (schedule open/close) |
| Works from your phone | No | Yes |
Use formLimiter if you live in the desktop web editor; use Forms+ if you'd rather manage the whole thing from your phone (and get scheduling, QR codes, response charts, and AI form building in the same place).
Cap responses in one tap, from your iPhone
Forms+ adds a native response limit, scheduled open/close, and live response analytics to your real Google Forms — on your own Google account.
Get Forms+ free on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
Can Google Forms limit the number of responses by itself?
No. There's no built-in cap. Use the formLimiter add-on on the web, an Apps Script, or Forms+ on iOS, which adds a native response limit.
How do I limit Google Forms responses on my iPhone?
Open the form in Forms+, tap the Response Limit (lock) button in the editor toolbar, set your maximum, and Forms+ closes the form automatically when it's reached — no computer or add-on needed.
What happens when the limit is reached?
The form stops accepting submissions and shows a "closed" message. You can customize that message and re-open the form later by raising or removing the limit.