Why is there a limit of 5 items in a nested collection in Webflow, and what is the workaround for this limitation?
TL;DR
- Webflow limits nested collection lists to 5 items for performance; to bypass it, use multiple filtered lists, JavaScript with the CMS API, reverse CMS structures, multi-reference fields, or third-party tools like Finsweet or Jetboost.
Webflow limits nested collection lists to 5 items for performance reasons, particularly when loading dynamic content inside another dynamic list such as a CMS Template Page or another Collection List.
1. Reason for the 5-Item Limit
- Webflow restricts nested collection lists to 5 items to ensure page load speed and rendering performance across all devices.
- Nesting dynamic content can quickly balloon the number of CMS queries, so Webflow enforces this cap to prevent excessive database processing.
2. Workarounds for the 5-Item Limit
Use Multiple Nested Lists
- Duplicate your nested Collection List manually on the page and apply different filters (e.g., by using “skip” or “pagination-like” logic) to display the next batch of 5 items.
- This is time-consuming and limited but can extend the visual list beyond 5 items manually.
Use Custom JavaScript + Webflow CMS API
- Load more than 5 related items by using JavaScript to fetch CMS content dynamically via the Webflow CMS API.
- Create a “Load More” or infinite scroll feature that fetches related items and injects them into the page outside of the native Collection List.
Use a Reverse CMS Structure
- Instead of nesting inside, display the related items on their own Collection Page and link to it.
- For example, instead of nesting “Reviews” under a “Product” page, create a “Reviews” page filtered by Product Reference and link users there.
Replace Nested Lists with Multi-Reference Fields
- Consider using a Multi-reference field, which allows more control and does not rely on collection nesting.
- Display items through the primary collection and control what appears based on selection in the reference.
Use Third-Party Tools (e.g., Jetboost, Finsweet Attributes)
- Tools like Finsweet’s CMS Load or Jetboost can bypass the 5-item limit by dynamically loading more items without relying on Webflow’s native nested limit.
- These services often use Webflow’s CMS + JavaScript to achieve seamless UX.
Summary
Webflow limits nested collections to 5 items due to performance concerns. To work around it, you can use custom code, multiple filtered lists, CMS structure changes, or third-party tools like Finsweet or Jetboost to display more related dynamic content.