Email marketing has evolved, but one question remains key:
“What’s the best time to send email?”
Whether you’re launching a product, nurturing leads, or running a flash sale, when you hit “send” can often be as critical as what you send. This guide explores the best time to send email for maximum open rates and click-throughs, with practical tips tailored for marketers in 2025.
⏰ Why Email Timing Still Matters (Yes, Even in 2025)
You may think that with smart segmentation and AI-powered automation, timing no longer matters. Not quite.
Here’s why finding the best time to send email is still crucial:
- Inbox competition is fierce – Your email is one of many in the inbox. Sending during peak engagement windows boosts the odds of being opened before it’s buried.
- User behavior is habit-driven – People check emails in rhythm: mornings, lunch breaks, or before logging off.
- Email clients track engagement history – Consistently sending emails when users engage most can improve long-term deliverability.
In short, even the most compelling content sent at the wrong time is a missed opportunity.
🕐 Best Time of Day to Send Email
Studies and email marketing benchmarks consistently reveal two peak time slots for higher engagement:
Morning Peak (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
Perfect send time, as professionals settle in and check inboxes for updates and insights.
Midday Window (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Post-lunch hours often spark another engagement surge. Ideal for promotional emails and B2C product announcements.
💡 Tip: These are averages, not absolutes. For example:
- SaaS audiences may respond better to earlier morning sends.
- Evenings and weekends are prime time for e-commerce shoppers to browse and buy.
📅 Best Day of the Week to Send Email
Performance by day varies, but research shows these trends:
| Day | Performance Insight |
| Tuesday | Consistently strong open and click-through rates, often the best time to send email midweek. |
| Thursday | Excellent for product launches and newsletters. |
| Wednesday | Steady performance; great for educational campaigns. |
| Monday | Hit-or-miss due to the weekend backlog. Avoid early mornings. |
| Friday | Engagement drops after 3 PM; mornings can still work. |
| Weekend (Sat–Sun) | Lower average engagement, but lifestyle and e-commerce brands may see exceptions. |
🎯 Best Time to Send Email by Campaign Type
Match your timing to your campaign goal:
- Sales & Discounts: Send between 10 AM–1 PM on Tuesday or Thursday for mid-week conversions.
- Newsletters / Educational Content: Wednesday mornings work well when readers are more receptive.
- Flash Sales / Urgent Offers: Early mornings (8 AM–10 AM) or evenings (6 PM–9 PM) , especially in retail.
- B2B Lead Nurturing: Weekday mornings; avoid Monday AM and late Friday.
🔄 Resending Emails: Timing Follow-Ups
Resending to non-openers within 24–48 hours can significantly extend reach , if done strategically.
Resend tips:
- Change your subject line.
- Choose a different send time.
Exclude recent openers to avoid fatigue.
💡 Bonus Tips for Perfecting Email Send Times
Instead of relying solely on fixed schedules, combine industry best practices with your own data.
- Leverage engagement analytics – Platforms like cmercury reveal exactly when your audience opens emails.
- Segment by time zone – 10 AM in London isn’t 10 AM in New York, align send times with local audiences
- Run A/B send-time tests – Test days and hours regularly.
- Factor in mobile behavior – Many users check emails early in the morning or late at night.
Final Thoughts: The Best Time to Send Email Is Unique to You
Use this guide as your starting point, then refine using:
- Audience insights
- Campaign objectives
- A/B testing
- Deliverability metrics
And remember , tools like cmercury provide real-time analytics and behavioral targeting so you never have to guess.
FAQs: Best Time to Send Email
Q: What is the best time of day to send email?
A: Generally between 9–11 AM or 1–3 PM, though it depends on your audience and industry.
Q: What’s the perfect email send day?
A: Tuesday and Thursday often perform best. Avoid Monday mornings and Friday evenings.
Q: When should you send promotional emails?
A: Midweek mornings, especially Tuesday or Thursday around 10 AM.
Q: Should I send emails on weekends?
A: Engagement is lower, but B2C and lifestyle brands may benefit. Test before deciding.
Q: Can I resend emails to non-openers?
A: Yes , within 24–48 hours, with a fresh subject line and new send time.
Vishnu S - Deputy General Manager Marketing
Vishnu heads marketing at cmercury, but around here, he’s just Vishnu — the guy who loves turning complex email stuff into simple, actionable ideas. He writes about email marketing, SaaS growth, and the occasional marketing myth that needs busting. Expect honest takes, light banter, and tips that actually work.