There is no maximum limit for HashMap, you can store as many entries as you want because when you run out of the bucket, entries will be added to a linked list which can SUPPORT an INFINITE number of entries, of course until you exhaust all the memory you have.

Btw, the size() method of HashMap return an int, which has a limit, once a number of entries cross the limit, size() will overflow and if your program relies on that then it will BREAK. This issue has been addressed in JDK 8 by introducing a new method called mappingCount() which returns a long value. So, you should use mappingCount() for large maps. SEE Java SE 8 for Really Impatient to learn more about new methods introduced in existing interfaces in JDK 8.

There is no maximum limit for HashMap, you can store as many entries as you want because when you run out of the bucket, entries will be added to a linked list which can support an infinite number of entries, of course until you exhaust all the memory you have.

Btw, the size() method of HashMap return an int, which has a limit, once a number of entries cross the limit, size() will overflow and if your program relies on that then it will break. This issue has been addressed in JDK 8 by introducing a new method called mappingCount() which returns a long value. So, you should use mappingCount() for large maps. See Java SE 8 for Really Impatient to learn more about new methods introduced in existing interfaces in JDK 8.