You open your inbox first thing Monday morning and sigh—a dozen new emails, most of which you’ll ignore until later (if at all). Sound familiar? Timing matters.
If you’ve ever wondered, “when is the best time to send emails?” you’re not alone. Hundreds of studies and email marketers agree: hitting “send” at the right moment can make the difference between being read immediately or buried beneath a flood of messages.
The best time to send emails isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but years of data do point to clear trends that can help you reach your audience when they’re most likely to open, read, and act. Below, we’ll break down exactly when to send emails each day of the week—including specific tips for the best time to send emails on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and more. Let’s get your next email read, not ignored.
When is the Best Time to Send Emails? (Short Answer)
Most reliable studies—show that, for most businesses, the overall best time to send emails is between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM in your recipient’s local time zone. This is when people are typically catching up on their inbox after starting their workday.
Here’s why timing matters:
- Open rates typically peak mid-to-late morning, with a secondary bump early afternoon.
- Engagement (replies, clicks) is highest when you send while your audience is active and checking their devices.
- Day of the week is just as important as time of day—audience habits change between Monday and Sunday.
Best Time to Send Emails by Day of the Week
Now, let’s dig into daily specifics. Factors like industry, audience (B2B or B2C), and your goals matter, but these data-driven recommendations are a great starting point.
Best Time to Send Emails on Monday
Recommended time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM local time
People tend to catch up on emails after the weekend, but the very first hours (8–9 AM) can be overwhelming as inboxes fill up. Aim for late morning when things have settled, and your message won’t get lost in the Monday rush.
Example: If you’re launching a new announcement or newsletter, send it around 10:30 AM for better visibility. On platforms like AWeber, you can easily schedule for this precise window.
Best Time to Send Emails on Tuesday
Recommended time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Tuesday consistently shows the highest open rates of any weekday—people have settled into the workweek, and it’s typically the most productive day. Take advantage by sending important campaigns early in the day.
Pro tip: For B2B audiences, aim for 9:30 AM. For consumer-focused emails, closer to 11:00 AM often works better.
Best Time to Send Emails on Wednesday
Recommended time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Wednesday is another reliably strong day for email engagement. Many marketers notice consistent open and click rates midweek. The same midmorning window applies.
Best Time to Send Emails on Thursday
Recommended time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
When considering the best time to send emails on Thursday, treat it much like Tuesday—activity is high before the end-of-week slow down. Schedule your most important or conversion-oriented messages for Thursday mornings.
Why it works: Recipients are still focused and haven’t begun the mental shift to weekend mode. A timely, relevant email can stand out and drive action.
Best Time to Send Emails on Friday
Recommended time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM or early afternoon (1:00–2:00 PM)
On Fridays, engagement drops off by late afternoon as people begin to wind down for the weekend. The best time to send emails on Friday is early in the day—get your message in before attention shifts elsewhere. If your audience is more consumer-based (think retail or hospitality), a pre-weekend email sent just after lunch can prompt last-minute purchases or bookings.
Best Time to Send Emails on Saturday
Recommended time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Weekends aren’t always the best for email campaigns, but for some businesses—like entertainment, fitness, or ecommerce—weekend sends work. If you’re considering when to send emails on Saturday, aim for late morning, when people are up and scrolling, but not yet involved in their day.
Best Time to Send Emails on Sunday
Recommended time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, or after 8:00 PM
The best time to send emails on a Sunday depends on your audience. Many people skim emails over a morning coffee, but there’s also a lesser-known “Sunday night effect,” as folks check their inboxes to prepare for the workweek. If you’re experimenting, test late Sunday evenings (8–10 PM) for your list—you may be surprised by the open rates.
What is the Best Time to Send Emails (and Why It Works)
So, what is the best time to send emails—for your business, your goals, or your unique audience?
- For B2B: Stick with Tuesday–Thursday, 10:00 AM.
- For B2C/ecommerce: Weekdays between 9:00–11:00 AM or Sundays around 8:00 PM can boost engagement (particularly offers).
- For personal or creative content: Mid-morning or evenings work, but monitor your audience’s patterns with analytics.
In all cases, test and monitor! Use A/B testing to try different slots. Review your open rates and adjust as needed. Trends across platforms are useful, but your list’s behavior matters most.
How to Find Your Own Best Email Send Time
While big-picture data is helpful, optimizing your results requires personalization. Here’s how to dial in your schedule:
- Check your analytics. Use your email platform’s reports to see when people actually open and click.
- Segment by time zone. If your list spans multiple zones, schedule emails in local time.
- Run A/B tests. Send the same email at two different times to different segments. See which performs better.
- Monitor & iterate. Adjust based on real results—your audience may prefer slightly different timing, especially for weekends or holidays.
Your successful timing will reflect your readers’ habits, not just industry benchmarks. If most of your opens happen at 8 PM, don’t be afraid to schedule accordingly—even if traditional wisdom suggests otherwise!
When to Send Emails for Specific Goals
Let’s go beyond basic blog newsletters. What if you want to boost sales, get webinar signups, or drive event attendance?
Sales or promotions: Early in the week and mid-morning. Avoid sending major promotions late Friday or Saturday afternoon unless directed at consumer audiences.
Event reminders: Send 24 hours before the event, then a 1-2 hour “last call” reminder if possible.
Newsletters or educational content: Tuesday or Thursday, late morning, often delivers the highest engagement.
For more details on email marketing best practices, see AWeber’s email newsletter best practices guide.
Real-World Example: Scheduling for Maximum Impact
Let’s say you run a wellness coaching business. You notice your clients engage more with content early in the week. You test sending a Monday tip email at 10:30 AM and a Thursday recipe newsletter at 9:00 AM. Over several weeks, your open rates increase by 12%. By aligning your strategy with your specific audience’s routines, you land in their inbox at just the right moment—every time.
Key Takeaways: When is the Best Time to Send Emails?
The best time to send emails boils down to three things: know your audience, start with proven timeframes (like mid-morning during the week), and always test your assumptions. Remember, Tuesday and Thursday mornings are safe bets, but don’t be afraid to experiment with Sunday evenings or Saturday mornings if your analytics show promise.
The real magic happens when you combine reliable data with a willingness to adapt. Use your results to guide you, and your emails are more likely to be opened, read, and acted upon.
