Private limited company is a hybrid type of business entity used in many jurisdictions, with some differences from country to country. Examples include LLC in the US, private company limited by shares in the UK, GmbH in Germany or spolecnost s rucením omezeným in the Czech Republic.

In a limited company, the liability of members or subscribers of the company is limited to what they have invested or guaranteed to the company. Limited companies may be limited by shares or by guarantee. The former may be further divided into public companies and private companies. Who may become a member of a private limited company is restricted by law and by the company's rules. In contrast, anyone may buy shares in a public limited company.