Perfect email: The Ideal Dimensions for Your Email Templates
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Having an effective email presence is just as critical in the digital age of today, as having a smart and attractive website.
Not only should your emails be well written and highly targeted, they also need to look good too. While there’s no one-size fits all approach when it comes to creating great looking emails, understanding the ideal dimensions for email templates can help you better craft visually pleasing emails that get opened, read and shared!
So if you’re looking to take your email campaigns to the next level then understanding (and applying) these core template dimensions could be the key. Let’s dive into what goes into making perfect emails!
What is the best email template size - width and height?
The optimal email template size in terms of width and height can vary depending on several factors, including the email client, the type of content you’re including, and your target audience. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow to ensure that your email templates are visually appealing and accessible to most recipients.
Width. The recommended width for an email template is typically between 600-800 pixels. This ensures that the email fits well within the screen width of most desktop and mobile devices without requiring recipients to scroll horizontally to view the entire content.
Height. The height of your email template will depend on the length of your email content. It’s generally best to keep your email templates concise and avoid lengthy emails that require excessive scrolling. However, if you do have longer content, try to structure it in a way that keeps the most important information above the fold, which is the portion of the email that is visible without scrolling.
Keep in mind that email templates may display differently in different email clients and devices, so it’s important to thoroughly test your templates across multiple email clients and devices to ensure they are rendering correctly.
It’s also worth mentioning that responsive design, which adjusts the layout of the email based on the screen size, is becoming increasingly popular for email templates. This allows the email to adapt to the screen size of the recipient’s device, providing an optimal viewing experience on desktop and mobile devices alike.
In conclusion, while there are general guidelines for email template size in terms of width and height, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your audience and test your templates across various devices and email clients to ensure they are visually appealing and accessible to all recipients.
Email subject size
The subject line of an email is a critical element that determines whether your recipient will open and read your email. The optimal size for an email subject line is typically around 40-60 characters, or roughly 5-9 words. However, keep in mind that different email clients may display subject lines differently, so it’s important to test how your subject lines appear across various devices and email clients.
Some tips for crafting effective email subject lines:
✔ Keep it concise. Short and to-the-point subject lines tend to perform better. Avoid lengthy subject lines that may get cut off or appear cluttered in the recipient’s inbox.
✔ Be relevant. Make sure your subject line accurately reflects the content of your email. Avoid clickbait or misleading subject lines, as they can lead to lower open rates and decreased trust.
✔ Use action words. Include action-oriented words or verbs in your subject line to create a sense of urgency or encourage recipients to take action.
✔ Personalize when appropriate. Personalized subject lines that include the recipient’s name or other relevant information can help increase open rates. However, be mindful of privacy and ensure that personalization is done in a thoughtful and appropriate manner.
✔ Test and optimize. A/B testing different subject lines can help you identify which ones perform best with your audience. Keep experimenting and optimizing your subject lines to improve your email open rates over time.
Remember, the subject line is often the first impression of your email, so it’s crucial to make it compelling, relevant, and optimized for different email clients and devices to increase the chances of your email being opened and read by your recipients.
You will be interested – 14 Tips for Writing an Email Subject
Email preheader size
A preheader is the short text that is visible to the subscribers even before they open the email. It usually appears next to or below the subject line, and it provides a brief summary of the content within the email.
The preheader text serves as the first point of contact between the subscribers and the email content. Therefore, it needs to be appropriately crafted to maximize engagement and attract the reader’s attention.
According to recent studies, the ideal preheader size is around 40-50 characters. However, this varies depending on the device the subscriber is using to view the email. For instance, mobile screens tend to display less text, and therefore, the preheader size for mobile should be around 25-30 characters.
It’s crucial to note that preheader text should provide additional context to the subject line, not replace it. The subject line and preheader text should complement each other to give the subscribers a clear understanding of what to expect in the email. Avoid using generic preheader text such as “click here to read” or “view in your browser,” as this does not provide any value to the subscribers
Email header size
When it comes to email header size, it’s important to consider both the file size and the dimensions of the header image to ensure optimal performance and compatibility across various email clients and devices.
File Size. It’s recommended to keep the file size of your email header image as small as possible to ensure fast loading times and avoid potential delivery issues due to large file attachments. Aim for a file size of 100-200 KB or smaller, depending on the complexity of the image and the content of your email.
Dimensions. The dimensions of your email header image should be based on the layout and design of your email template. However, it’s generally recommended to keep the width of your email header image within 600-800 pixels to ensure it fits well within the screen width of most desktop and mobile devices without requiring recipients to scroll horizontally.
Additionally, it’s important to consider that some email clients may block images by default or display images at a reduced size, so it’s a good practice to include alternative text (alt text) for your header image. Alt text provides a text description of the image that is displayed when the image is blocked or not loaded, allowing recipients to understand the content of the header image even if it’s not visible.
Email banner size
Email banners are an extremely important aspect of email marketing. They act as the first point of contact between the brand and the recipient, and play a crucial role in driving engagement and conversions.
In terms of size, the ideal email banner size is typically around 600px (width) by 200px (height). However, it is important to note that this is not a hard and fast rule and may vary based on different email clients and devices. It is important to test the banner across different devices and email clients to ensure optimal display.
Design-wise, the email banner should be visually appealing, with attention-grabbing imagery and clear, concise text. It should also be consistent with the brand’s overall aesthetic and messaging. The banner should also be optimized for mobile devices and should be easily viewable in both portrait and landscape orientations.
Email image size
When it comes to email image size, it’s important to strike a balance between image quality and file size to ensure efficient delivery, fast loading times, and a positive user experience for recipients.
✅ Resolution
Aim for an image resolution that is appropriate for the purpose of your email. For most business emails, a resolution of 72-96 pixels per inch (PPI) is typically sufficient for screen display. Higher resolutions, such as 300 PPI or higher, are typically used for print purposes and may result in larger file sizes.
✅ Dimensions
Consider the dimensions of your image to ensure it fits well within the layout of your email template and displays properly on various devices. Typically, an image width of 600-800 pixels is recommended for email attachments to avoid potential display issues and slow loading times.
✅ File format
JPEG, PNG, and GIF are common image file formats used in emails due to their compatibility with most email clients. JPEG is generally the best choice for photographs, PNG for images with transparency or text, and GIF for simple images with few colors or animations.
✅ File size
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to keep the file size of your email images as small as possible to ensure fast loading times and avoid potential delivery issues. A file size of 100-200 KB or smaller is generally recommended for email attachments. You can achieve smaller file sizes by using image compression techniques or reducing the image quality while still maintaining an acceptable level of image clarity.
✅ Consider hosting images externally
To further optimize your email image size, you may consider hosting your images externally and including image URLs in your email instead of attaching the images directly. This way, the email size is not impacted by the image file size, and recipients can download the images only if they choose to view them.
Email size limits
Email size limits refer to the maximum allowable size of an email, including all its components, such as attachments, text, and images, that can be sent or received through an email service. Email size limits can vary depending on the email service provider, email client, or the recipient’s email service.
✅ Attachment Size Limit
Most email services have a limit on the size of attachments that can be included in an email. This limit can typically range from 10 MB to 25 MB per attachment, although some email services may allow larger attachments.
✅ Total Email Size Limit
In addition to attachment size limits, there may also be a limit on the total size of an email, including all its components. This can include the email body, attachments, images, and other elements. Total email size limits can typically range from 20 MB to 50 MB or more, depending on the email service.
It’s important to note that exceeding these email size limits can result in issues such as email bounces, failed deliveries, or even rejected emails. Large email sizes can also cause slow download times for recipients, especially if they have slow internet connections or are accessing emails on mobile devices.
Email attachment size
The size limit for email attachments refers to the maximum allowable size of a single attachment that can be included in an email. Email services and clients typically impose size limits on attachments to prevent issues such as slow email delivery, failed deliveries, or exceeded storage capacities.
The attachment size limit can vary depending on the email service provider or email client being used. Common attachment size limits for most email services and clients range from 10 MB to 25 MB per attachment. However, some email services may have higher or lower limits, and it’s always best to check with your specific email service provider for their attachment size limits.
It’s important to note that exceeding the attachment size limit set by your email service or client can result in issues with email delivery or may cause the email to bounce back to the sender. Additionally, large attachments may take longer to upload, download, or open for the email recipient, particularly if they have slow internet connections or are accessing emails on mobile devices.
Let’s take a look at the email sizes of some popular email service providers.
Gmail email size limit
Gmail, which is a popular email service provided by Google, has a maximum attachment size limit of 25 MB per attachment for outgoing and incoming emails. This means that you can attach files up to 25 MB in size to an email you send from your Gmail account, and also receive attachments up to 25 MB in size in emails you receive in your Gmail inbox.
It’s important to note that the attachment size limit applies to the total size of the attachment, including all components of the email, such as the text, images, and other attachments. If the total size of the email, including all its components, exceeds the 25 MB limit, you may encounter issues with sending or receiving the email, such as failed deliveries or bounced emails.
Outlook email size limit
Microsoft Outlook, which is a popular email client used in conjunction with Microsoft Exchange, has a maximum attachment size limit of 20 MB per attachment for outgoing and incoming emails. This means that you can attach files up to 20 MB in size to an email you send from your Outlook account, and also receive attachments up to 20 MB in size in emails you receive in your Outlook inbox.
Yahoo email size limit
Yahoo Mail, which is a popular email service provided by Yahoo, has a maximum attachment size limit of 25 MB per attachment for outgoing and incoming emails. This means that you can attach files up to 25 MB in size to an email you send from your Yahoo Mail account, and also receive attachments up to 25 MB in size in emails you receive in your Yahoo Mail inbox.
Email signature size
Email signature size is an important aspect to consider when creating or updating your email signature. The ideal email signature size should be at most 10 lines, with a maximum of 65-70 characters per line. This will ensure that your signature does not take up too much space in your recipient’s inbox, while still communicating all the essential details about you and your organization.
Furthermore, it is important to ensure that your email signature looks professional and visually appealing on all devices, including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. Therefore, it is recommended to use a font size that is easily readable and does not require zooming in or out.
In addition to the size, the content of your email signature should convey relevant and meaningful information about you and your organization. This may include your full name, job title, organization name and logo, phone number, email address, social media handles, and a call-to-action (CTA) such as visiting your website for more information.
Overall, the email signature size should be tailored to meet the needs of your audience and provide valuable information while not being too lengthy. By following these guidelines, you can create an effective email signature that conveys professionalism and enhances your brand image.
Conclusion
Crafting the perfect email requires a lot of work. There are many factors to consider including images, subject lines, personalization, and templates. Fonts and colors also play a huge role in how emails appear on various platforms and devices.
Additionally, sizing your emails correctly is critical in ensuring your message is displayed just right. By following industry best practices for the ideal dimensions for email templates, you can ensure that each email sent out looks its absolute best.
The result is improved engagement with your audience and higher rates of success in achieving desired outcomes. Utilizing these standards when designing emails will help create successful campaigns that drive impressive results. After all, if your emails look great then so will your messages!