Best Times to Send Emails: Timing Strategies to Maximize Open and Click Rates

The best time to send emails to maximize open and click rates generally falls between 9 AM and 11 AM on weekdays, with Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday being the most effective days for engagement. Mid-morning sends capture attention when recipients are actively checking their inboxes, leading to higher open rates.

Key timing strategies include:

• Morning sends (9–11 AM): This window consistently shows strong open rates across multiple studies, including data from Moosend, HubSpot, and Salesforce.
• Midweek days (Tuesday to Thursday): These days tend to have less crowded inboxes than Monday and higher engagement than Friday or weekends.
• Afternoon and early evening peaks: Some data reveal secondary engagement peaks around 1–2 PM and even later in the afternoon or early evening (4–7 PM), especially for newsletters and promotional emails.
• Campaign type matters: For example, newsletters perform well Monday or Tuesday late afternoon (4–6 PM), while promotions see higher engagement Thursday or Friday evenings (6–7 PM).
• Cold emails: Best sent Tuesday to Thursday between 9–11 AM or 1–3 PM to boost open rates by up to 30%.
• Avoid weekends and Mondays: Mondays often have crowded inboxes, and weekends generally show lower engagement, though Sunday mornings can work well for surveys or feedback requests.

Additional best practices:

• Consistency: Once you identify your optimal send time, maintain it to build subscriber anticipation and trust.
• Test and analyze: Audience behaviour varies, so continuous A/B testing and tracking conversions beyond open rates are essential to refine timing.
• Consider time zones and demographics: Tailor send times to your audience’s location and habits for maximum impact.
• Seasonal adjustments: Engagement patterns shift during holidays or seasonal events, so adapt timing accordingly.

In summary, while 9–11 AM on Tuesday to Thursday is a strong general guideline, the best timing depends on your audience and email type. Testing and data analysis remain crucial to maximize open and click rates effectively.