A global and local row count limit associated with a limit query are received by a stop operator of a first execution node among a set of execution nodes that are assigned to process the limit query. Local distributed row count data is generated based on a local row count corresponding to a number of rows output by the first execution node in processing the query. Based on determining the local row count satisfies the local limit, the first execution node buffers rows produced in processing the query. The local distributed row count data is updated based on remote distributed row count data received from a second execution node. A stopping condition is detected based on determining the global limit is satisfied based on updated local distributed row count data and query processing by the first execution node based on detecting the stopping condition.