Email is one of the most reliable ways to reach people and build sales pipelines.
In 2023, the global email user base reached 4.37 billion, expected to grow to 4.89 billion by 2027.
But sometimes even the best prepared email can go unnoticed if it’s sent at the wrong time.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the best times to send emails:
…and plenty more to optimize your email marketing!
Before we begin, here are 10 simple email marketing terms to help you understand logic of the best times to send email campaigns:
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If you’re wondering when people are most likely to check their email, weekdays are the clear winner.
Source: Brevo
Data reveals that email engagement is significantly higher during the workweek:
Weekdays work better because people are more engaged with their inboxes as part of their regular routines.
Many check emails during work hours, lunch breaks, or after their morning commute. These times are often when people are actively looking for updates, work-related information, or promotional offers.
On the other hand, weekends are less reliable for email engagement. People tend to be offline, focusing on personal activities or spending time with family and friends.
The middle of the week—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—are the best times to send emails.
These days often have higher engagement because people are settled into their routines and actively checking their inboxes.
Mondays can be too busy, with people catching up on tasks, and Fridays are often focused on wrapping up work or planning the weekend.
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Finding the best times to send email campaigns is key to boosting engagement.
While weekdays are generally better, certain days and dates stand out for better performance.
Source: Moosend
While different times of the day perform well, 9–10 AM and 1–2 PM stand out as the general best time periods to send emails.
Of these, 1–2 PM is the most effective time to send email campaigns.
This window aligns with natural breaks in people’s routines, such as lunch or post-lunch browsing, making it an ideal time to engage your audience.
Sending emails at times when people are most likely to check their inboxes increases the chances of them being opened, clicked, and acted upon.
Let’s break down the best times to send an email:
What Time is Best For Sending Emails in the Mornings?
Open rates start climbing in the morning as people settle into their day.
Between 9–10 AM, open rates average 21.35%.
Many people begin their workday by catching up on emails, making this a great time to send messages that need attention early in the day.
What Time is Best For Sending Emails in the Noons?
Midday is the best-performing time for email campaigns, with open rates peaking at 22.09%.
During lunch breaks or just after eating, people often check their emails, making this the prime time to grab their attention.
If you’re launching an important campaign, this time frame offers the highest engagement potential.
What Time is Best For Sending Emails in the Afternoons?
Open rates remain strong later in the day, averaging 20.74% between 5–6 PM.
As people finish their workday or commute home, they often use this time to go through their inbox.
It’s a great window for follow-ups or casual emails that don’t demand immediate action.
Source: Omnisend
If you want to go a step further, specific dates within the month can offer even better results:
Different industries have unique email engagement patterns.
Understanding these can help you identify the best times to send email campaigns for your business. Here’s a breakdown of optimal email times by industry:
Ecommerce shoppers tend to check their emails early in the day, especially during work breaks. Sending emails at mid-morning aligns with their browsing habits, increasing the chances of clicks and purchases.
Professionals using SaaS tools are often busiest in the morning. By the afternoon, they have more time to engage with emails, making this window perfect for sharing updates, tutorials, or special offers.
Midweek afternoons are a sweet spot for marketers who are actively planning and brainstorming. Sending emails at this time ensures they notice your message while organizing their tasks.
Early morning emails help offline retailers and hospitality businesses reach customers as they plan their weekends. Deals and promotions sent during this time are more likely to catch their attention.
B2B audiences are most productive early in the week. Sending emails during this period helps position your message as part of their planning, ensuring higher engagement.
Nonprofit supporters often check their emails in the afternoon, making it the best times to send updates, donation requests, or campaign news. This timing aligns with their post-lunch breaks and late-day routines.
For food and beverage businesses, late mornings and early afternoons work best, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
This timing captures attention as people plan meals, dining out, or grocery shopping for the weekend.
Sending promotional offers, menus, or reservation reminders during these hours can maximize engagement.
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Knowing the worst time to send email campaigns can help you avoid low engagement and wasted effort.
Poor timing can lead to unopened emails and missed opportunities.
Saturday is often the worst day to send emails, followed closely by Sunday.
Over the weekend, people focus on personal activities and may not check emails. However, this can vary for sectors with specific working patterns, such as:
Certain time slots consistently underperform for email campaigns on weekends:
Avoid these time frames to prevent your emails from getting lost or overlooked.
Understanding the worst time to send an email to get a response is just as critical as identifying the best times to send emails.
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the best times
to send email campaigns:
The best times to send an email to get a response are typically 9–10 AM and 1–2 PM. These windows align with natural breaks in people’s routines, such as starting their workday or taking a lunch break. Emails sent during these times are more likely to be seen and opened when the recipient is actively engaging with their inbox. Testing these times with your audience can help refine your strategy further.
The middle of the week—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—are the best days to send email campaigns. These days consistently perform better because recipients are often settled into their weekly routines and actively checking their inboxes. Monday can be hectic, as people are catching up on tasks from the weekend, while Fridays are typically focused on wrapping up the week or planning for the weekend.
The worst times to send an email are typically 12–3 PM and midnight–3 AM. Midday often sees lower engagement as people are occupied with work tasks, meetings, or lunch. Emails sent in the early morning hours are usually ignored because recipients are asleep. By the time they check their inbox, your message may be buried under newer emails, reducing its visibility and effectiveness.
Certain dates within the month perform better for email campaigns. For higher open rates, aim for the 10th and 24th, as these days often align with less crowded inboxes. To maximize clicks, send emails on the 2nd and 26th, capturing early- and late-month momentum. For conversions, focus on the 1st and 30th, which often coincide with paydays or end-of-month decision-making cycles.
An open rate is the percentage of recipients who open your email after it’s delivered. It is calculated by dividing the number of email opens by the total number of emails sent (excluding bounces). High open rates indicate that your subject line, timing, and audience targeting are effective. For example, sending emails at optimal times, like 9–10 AM or 1–2 PM, can improve your open rates.
For ecommerce businesses, the best times to send emails is 10:00 AM on Tuesday or Thursday. These times align with customer habits of browsing during work breaks or planning purchases. Mid-morning emails are effective for promoting sales, special offers, or product launches when customers are actively engaging with their inboxes.
For software or SaaS companies, the ideal time to send emails is 2:00–3:00 PM on Tuesday or Thursday. Professionals often check emails in the afternoon when they have completed their morning tasks and have time to engage with product updates, tutorials, or service promotions.
For B2B businesses, the best times to send emails is 8:00–10:00 AM on Monday or Tuesday. Early in the week, professionals are focused on planning and prioritizing tasks, making them more receptive to new opportunities and offers. Emails sent during this time are likely to be opened and acted upon as part of their workday routine.
Yes, email marketing remains highly effective. With 4.37 billion email users globally in 2023, and this number expected to grow to 4.89 billion by 2027, email continues to offer businesses a direct and measurable way to reach their audience. When timed correctly, email campaigns can generate high open rates, click-throughs, and conversions, making it one of the most reliable marketing tools.
Yes, the best times to send marketing emails varies by industry. For example, ecommerce emails perform best in the mid-morning on weekdays, while B2B emails see higher engagement early in the week during work hours. Understanding your audience’s habits within your specific industry is essential to identifying the best times to send email campaigns. Regular testing and analysis can help refine your approach.
Timing is a critical factor in the success of email campaigns.
By understanding when your audience is most active—whether by day, time, or industry—you can significantly improve engagement and response rates.