Ensuring you have the best email subject lines is key to high email open rates. These subject lines help determine if your email marketing campaign succeeds or fails, particularly with how crowded inboxes are today.
People’s inboxes get flooded every day, so many are becoming more selective about what they open. So when they do engage, they’re more likely to buy. This is especially true when strategic subject lines are paired with behavioral triggers to create messages that feel personal and timely.
This article covers 150+ proven email subject lines across every major category. We’ll also discuss some email subject line best practices. You’ll find catchy email subject lines, funny email subject lines, and specialized options for abandoned carts, new arrivals, and seasonal campaigns.
These email subject line examples are used by successful ecommerce brands. Their effectiveness is further proven with our in-house testing.
A catchy subject line involves using engaging language, humor, or a sense of urgency to stand out. You can grab your customers’ attention with witty, surprising, or simply interesting subject lines.
Catchy email subject line examples:
1. Hanky panky for Valentine’s (Open rate: 92%)
2. Quick! This is an emergency (Open rate: 83%)
3. New Year, new goodies! (Open rate: 92%)
4. A note from Santa’s workshop (Open rate: 92%)
5. The summer has finally arrived (Open rate: 83%)
6. Ready for a big surprise? (Score: 83%)
7. Feeling The Winter blues? (Open rate: 83%)
8. Your timing is perfect (Score: 92%)
9. We’re not weird; you’re just awesome (Score: 92%)
10. You can’t handle the awesomeness (Score: 100%)
11. We’re bringing sexy back (Score: 92%)
12. 3, 2, 1… Your inbox is about to blast off! (Score: 83%)
This email by MacPaw uses a catchy subject line that sparks curiosity by referencing something that happened 15 years ago. It creates intrigue and makes recipients want to discover what significant event it’s referring to:
This email by Big Blanket also has a catchy email subject line that combines excitement with a clear benefit. The phrase “Bam! You’ve unlocked 10% OFF your order” creates an immediate sense of achievement and reward for the recipient:
Image via Really Good Emails
Sales email subject lines
Sales emails serve a primary purpose: converting interest into purchases. Subject lines play a key role in this conversion process by creating urgency, highlighting benefits, or offering clear value propositions.
The best email subject lines for sales often use urgency, clarity, or benefits to drive opens and encourage immediate action.
Sales email subject line examples:
13. Your exclusive 20% discount expires tonight (Score: 92%)
14. Fresh arrivals alert: Your new favorites (Score: 92%)
15. Only 24 hours left for this special offer (Score: 83%)
16. New season, new must-haves (Score: 92%)
17. Limited time: Get yours before it’s gone (Score: 83%)
18. Final hours: Your discount is waiting (Score: 92%)
19. Decide now: Sale ends tomorrow (Score: 83%)
20. Hurry: Only a few spots remaining (Score: 92%)
21. There’s still time to save! (Score: 100%)
22. This week only: 30% off your favorites (Score: 92%)
This email by Ever Eden uses a sales email subject line that creates anticipation with “Your 10% off is waiting!” The exclamation point adds excitement, while the direct approach makes recipients feel that the offer was specifically made for them:
Image via Really Good Emails
This email by Better Brand uses a clever sales subject line of “You’re in Luck” that ties perfectly to its St. Patrick’s Day-themed promotion. It creates curiosity while hinting at good fortune and special deals inside the email:
Image via Really Good Emails
Funny email subject lines
With their twist of humor, funny email subject lines are attention-grabbers. It’s like a comedian’s one-liner: short, sweet, and hopefully gets a laugh (and an open). However, the email content should still be related to the subject line — don’t bait and switch!
Funny email subject line examples:
23. 404 – Your motivation not found (Score: 92%)
24. Yes, we’re stalking you (Score: 100%)
25. Alert: Our new product is awesome (Score: 92%)
26. Do you hate Mondays too? (Score: 92%)
27. This email is gluten-free (Score: 83%)
28. Our products are calorie-free (Score: 83%)
29. Let’s make “fetch” happen (Score: 83%)
30. Warning: This email will self-destruct (Score: 83%)
31. We put the ”fun” in dysfunctional (Score: 83%)
32. Breaking: Local company still sends emails (Score: 83%)
This email by Drizly uses a funny subject line that plays on birthday celebrations with “Halfy birthday to you.” The humor comes from the unexpected play on the traditional birthday greeting, placing it among the most engaging email marketing best subject lines:
Image via Really Good Emails
Sale ending soon email subject lines
Let customers know how long they have to take advantage of a sale with limited-time offer subject lines and inject some much-needed urgency into your campaigns. These last-day sale subject lines are perfect for blending FOMO with genuine scarcity.
Sale ending soon email subject line examples:
33. 50% off before Black Friday!!! (Open rate: 83%)
34. Today only, 50% off site wide! (Open rate: 100%)
35. FINAL HOURS: Get 25% off for Cyber Monday! (Open rate: 83%)
36. Don’t miss out on our BOGO sale! (Open rate: 92%)
37. Race you to the last (Product Name)! (Score: 83%)
38. Expires at midnight – exclusive offer! (Score: 92%)
39. Hurry: last-minute free delivery (Score: 92%)
40. Only 2 days left! 50% off! (Score: 92%)
41. Almost sold out: 2 left in stock (Score: 92%)
42. Ready to save? Your discount is waiting (Score: 83%)
43. Final warning: Sale closes at midnight (Score: 83%)
44. Final countdown: 6 hours left (Score: 92%)
45. ⏰ Time’s running out! Final hours of our mega sale (Score: 83%)
This email by AllTrails uses the phrase “ENDS TONIGHT: 50% off AllTrails+” in the subject line to create a sense of urgency. The all-caps “ENDS TONIGHT” immediately communicates the deadline, while the percentage discount provides clear value:
Image via Really Good Emails
New arrivals email subject lines
Keep your stock updates at the top of consumers’ minds by gluing them in with new promotional subject lines. As always, concise and informative wording leads the charge.
New arrivals subject lines examples:
46. New product arrivals in stock (Open rate: 92%)
47. Don’t miss the new collection (Open rate: 92%)
48. New year, NEW FPV goodies! (Open rate: 92%)
49. [Product] back in stock this Saturday! (Open rate: 92%)
50. The new WINTER collection is live! (Open rate: 92%)
51. New weekend specials just landed (Score: 92%)
52. Autumn/Winter is on the way – See what’s new (Open rate: 83%)
53. Your next obsession awaits (Score: 92%)
54. Hot arrivals for hot weather (Score: 83%)
55. New drops you’ll actually want (Score: 100%)
56. Brand new styles just hit our shelves (Score: 83%)
57. Future favorites just landed (Score: 83%)
This email by Bonobos uses a subject line of “The April Drop: New Arrivals” to create anticipation around the launch of its seasonal collection. The term “drop” adds a trendy, exclusive feel that appeals to fashion-conscious customers:
Image via Really Good Emails
This email by Bloomscape uses “New Arrivals Alert!” with a flower emoji to immediately communicate fresh inventory, while the alert language generates excitement. The emoji adds visual appeal and reinforces its brand identity:
Image via Really Good Emails
Giveaway email subject lines
Giveaway subject lines are some of the best cold email subject lines when it comes to open rates. People love free stuff, so mentioning a giveaway or an offer in the subject line is a surefire way to grab attention.
69. Surprise! You’re pre-selected for our secret giveaway (Score: 83%)
70. Get ready for [Brand]’s big giveaway! (Score: 92%)
This email by Honey Mama’s has a subject line, “Lemon Blueberry Giveaway!,” with a lemon emoji to create excitement around its product giveaway. It also shows an appealing image of the product so that recipients can visualize exactly what they could win. It’s among the good subject lines for emails because it makes the offer more tangible:
Image via Really Good Emails
FOMO-based email subject lines
The fear of missing out (FOMO) can be a powerful motivator. Back-in-stock emails harness FOMO effectively, achieving a 59.19% open rate and a 5.34% conversion rate by combining social proof with urgency.
You can use this psychology in your email subject lines to encourage engagement. By highlighting limited-time offers or exclusivity, these subject lines create a sense of “now or never” that compels subscribers to open the email.
FOMO-based email subject line examples:
71. Expires at midnight: exclusive Thanksgiving offer! (Open rate: 83%)
72. ⏲️Tick tock (holiday sale up to 75% off today only) (Open rate: 83%)
73. Today only: 25% off early Christmas deals(Open rate: 83%)
74. Green Monday? Apple sale! (Open rate: 83%)
75. Last-minute delivery for 48 hours (Open rate: 92%)
76. Want it by Christmas? (Open rate: 83%)
77. Only hours left to claim your spot (Score: 83%)
78. Once it’s gone, it’s gone (Score: 92%)
79. There’s still time for last-minute delivery (Score: 92%)
80. Hurry! Only 2 pieces left of product X (Score: 92%)
82. Spots filling fast: Claim yours now (Score: 92%)
83. Limited edition: Only 100 available (Score: 100%)
This email by Tens uses “15% Off Just in Time for Father’s Day” to create time-sensitive urgency around a holiday. The phrase “just in time” suggests this might be the last opportunity to secure a Father’s Day gift at a discount:
Image via Really Good Emails
Featuring one of the best email subject lines, this email by Noom uses “There’s still time to claim 6 months free” with a muscle emoji to emphasize the limited-time nature of its offer. The word “still” implies the window is closing soon, sparking FOMO, while the specific benefit makes the offer clear and valuable:
Image via Really Good Emails
Discount email subject lines
A discount email is one of the most effective tools to showcase your offers, engage with your audience, and improve conversions. Well-optimized discount email subject lines help maximize marketing efforts to re-engage customers and drive sales.
You could highlight a percentage off, a specific deal, or a limited-time offer to pique the interest of your subscribers.
Discount email subject line examples:
84. 🚨 BLACK SALE! Bestsellers 45% off! (Open rate: 92%)
85. 3D Moon lamp 50% OFF (7 days shipping) (Open rate: 83%)
86. Black Friday deals EXTENDED through Sunday! (Open rate: 80%)
87. SUMMER DISCOUNT BE QUICK! (Open rate: 83%)
88. Psst!! Up to 75% OFF happening right now (Open rate: 83%)
89. Even more ✨ off – 75% OFF! (Open rate: 83%)
90. Save 40% this weekend only (Score: 100%)
91. 25% OFF + Christmas shopping deals (Open rate: 92%)
92. Thank you! 75% OFF for being an awesome customer (Open rate: 83%)
93. A dazzling Valentine’s discount: Get 45% off all category X (Score: 83%)
94. Extra savings: 75% off everything (Score: 92%)
95. Exclusive discount: Save big with 40% off product Y (Score: 83%)
96. VIP discount: 75% off as our thank-you (Score: 92%)
97. BOGO alert! Buy one, get one 50% OFF today only (Score: 83%)
98. Early Bird Special: 30% OFF for the first 100 shoppers (Score: 83%)
This email by Loom uses “Loom’s Annual Rug Sale Starts Tuesday!” as an email subject line to build anticipation for its major discount event. The specific day creates anticipation, while “annual” suggests this is a special, once-yearly opportunity that shouldn’t be missed:
Image via Really Good Emails
Free shipping subject lines
Your customers are always looking for a good deal, including free shipping options. Offer up your best with sweet, concise subject lines. Highlight free or discounted shipping offers in your subject line to entice your subscribers to open your emails.
Free shipping email subject line examples:
99. A special offer for supporters – free shipping on The Man Behind the Maps! (Open rate: 80%)
100. Free Shipping. You deserve it. (Open rate: 92%)
101. 50% OFF or free shipping (YOUR CHOICE) ☺ (Open rate: 83%)
102. Free shipping today only – no minimum (Score: 83%)
104. ★ FREE SHIPPING! Black Friday drops now ★ (Open rate: 80%)
105. 40% off + free shipping for 1 day only (Open rate: 83%)
106. Zero shipping charges: We’re letting your wallet breathe (Score: 83%)
107. Free shipping, no minimum, today only (Score: 92%)
108. Free shipping fiesta: Free shipping on all orders for 3 days only! (Score: 83%)
109. Free shipping week: No code needed (Score: 83%)
110. Free shipping weekend: No delivery fees (Score: 92%)
111. No shipping fee this weekend only (Score: 92%)
This email by AWAY uses “Don’t forget — free ground shipping ends tomorrow” to create anticipation around its free shipping offer. The reminder approach feels helpful rather than pushy while clearly communicating the deadline to take advantage of the deal:
Image via Really Good Emails
Back in stock email subject lines
Let your customers know what’s in stock and what isn’t with these best subject lines. As usual, keywords and verbs are paramount for increasing your open rate.
Back in stock email subject line examples:
112. (Product Name)’s back for fall (Open rate: 83%)
113. Hydras back in stock this Saturday! (Open rate: 83%)
114. [First Name], Get More of What You Love! (Score: 83%)
115. Stock Up on Your [Brand] Must-Haves! (Score: 92%)
116. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 in stock NOW (Open rate: 83%)
117. Just landed – stock is limited! (Open rate: 83%)
118. Restock and new items! (Open rate: 92%)
119. It’s back: Your favorite product restocked (Score: 92%)
120. Popular item alert: Now back in stock (Score: 83%)
121. Restocked today: Don’t miss out again (Score: 83%)
122. Sold-out item returns: Get yours now (Score: 83%)
123. It’s back! (Popular Product) now available (Score: 83%)
124. The wait is over: Back in stock now (Score: 83%)
This email by 1906 New Highs uses “BACK IN STOCK: Pain Gummies” to clearly communicate the return of a popular product.
The all-caps “BACK IN STOCK” creates excitement, while the specific product name helps customers immediately identify what they’ve been waiting for:
Image via Really Good Emails
This email by Nuud uses “The Stick has returned” as a clever, brand-specific way to announce restocked inventory. The personification of its product creates a playful tone while clearly communicating availability to customers who know its signature item:
Image via Really Good Emails
Promotional subject lines
Well-crafted promotional subject lines can drive not just open rates but also clicks and conversions. Hint at new product arrivals, seasonal products, or incentives without giving all the information away. This helps pique curiosity, and openers are likely to be in a buying mood.
Promotional email subject line examples:
125. New product arrivals in stock (Score: 92%)
126. New year, new goodies! (Score: 92%)
127. The new winter collection is live! (Score: 92%)
128. Don’t miss the new collection (Score: 92%)
129. A stunning new summer collection! (Score: 92%)
130. The launch everyone’s been waiting for (Score: 92%)
131. VIP access: Shop winter collection early (Score: 83%)
132. [FREE GUIDE]: Name of Guide (Score: 83%)
This email by Ever Eden uses “What’s better than a free gift?” with a gift box emoji to create curiosity about its promotional offer. The question format engages recipients, while the emoji adds visual appeal and reinforces the gift concept:
Image via Really Good Emails
Abandoned cart email subject lines
Abandoned carts are sent to site visitors who added items to their shopping cart but left the site without completing those purchases. These subject lines are designed for these emails, encouraging recipients to complete their purchases. For this subject line, get straight to the point. Let them know there are forgotten items waiting and give them a reason to come back, such as a discount, free shipping, or that items are selling fast and they may miss out.
Some of the best abandoned cart email subject lines are:
133. Still shopping? (Take 20% off) (Score: 100%)
134. Your items are selling quickly (Score: 92%)
135. Your cart is waiting (and lonely) (Score: 92%)
136. Did you forget something? (Score: 92%)
137. Complete your order now (Score: 92%)
138. Oops! You left something behind (Score: 92%)
139. Your cart misses you! Come back and save 15% (Score: 83%)
140. Your cart items are flying off shelves (Score: 83%)
This email by Epic Deals uses “Is this yours, [Customer Name]?” to create a personal connection with the abandoned cart email. The direct question format combined with the customer’s name makes the message feel like a helpful reminder rather than a sales pitch:
Image via Really Good Emails
Welcome subject lines
These are the first words new subscribers will see from your brand in their inbox, so a welcome subject line should be friendly and inviting. While a warm welcome is important, you’ll also want to give them a good reason to open the email.
Welcome email subject line examples:
141. Welcome! (Important info inside) (Score: 92%)
142. Welcome! Enjoy 20% off (Score: 92%)
143. You’re one of us now! (Score: 92%)
144. Thanks for subscribing! (psst, open me) (Score: 83%)
145. Welcome info and your free gift (Score: 83%)
146. Welcome gift: 20% off your first order (Score: 92%)
147. Welcome to the family! Let’s get you started (Score: 83%)
148. Thanks for signing up: Your perks await (Score: 83%)
149. Hello there: Welcome to our community (Score: 83%)
This email by Bobbie uses “Welcome to The Feeding Room” with a baby bottle and a heart emoji to create a warm, community-focused welcome message.
The emojis reinforce what the brand is about, while “The Feeding Room” suggests an exclusive, supportive space for new parents:
Image via Really Good Emails
Winback email subject lines
The purpose of winback email subject lines is simple: entice unengaged recipients to open your email and re-engage with you.
A simple “We miss you” or a friendly “Welcome back” can go a long way. You can also offer something new or a special discount to give them a reason to come back to you.
Winback email subject line examples:
150. Would you like a 20% discount? (Score: 100%)
151. We miss you! Have £10 on us (Score: 92%)
152. Did you miss these new products? (Score: 92%)
153. Treat yourself. You deserve it. (Score: 92%)
154. We miss you, (Name) (Score: 83%)
155. Come back and save 30% on your favorites (Score: 92%)
156. A comeback offer you can’t refuse: 40% OFF! (Score: 83%)
157. Breaking up is hard… Let’s make up with a gift (Score: 83%)
158. We want you back: 40% off everything (Score: 92%)
This email by Hormbles Chormbles uses “You left. Chormbles stayed.” as a clever, brand-specific winback message. What makes it one of the best email subject lines is its simple, direct approach. It creates an emotional connection while staying true to its playful brand personality, making former customers curious about what they’ve missed:
Image via Really Good Emails
Email subject line best practices
A subject line sets your audience’s first impression of your business. It entices them to open and engage with your message. Hence, crafting clear, concise, and engaging email subject lines is crucial for successful campaigns.
Be concise: People often only scan their inboxes, and long subject lines get cut off in many inboxes. Aim for less than 10 words or 20–40 characters (including spaces) for optimal display across devices.
Spark curiosity with a question: Asking questions or posing a challenge in email subject lines can pique interest. This makes the recipient more likely to open the email.
For example, this email by Best Day Brewing uses “Can We Ask You One Question?” to create curiosity while maintaining a conversational tone. The question format engages recipients and makes them want to know what the company wants to ask:
Image via Really Good Emails
Create a sense of urgency: If your email has a time-sensitive offer or deadline, mention it in the subject line. This can encourage recipients to open your email to take advantage of the opportunity.
Include numbers: Our brains are inherently intrigued by numbers. That’s why incorporating numbers or statistics in subject lines can be a great way to grab attention.
Highlight value proposition: Briefly state the benefit your email offers. Is it a discount code, an industry report, or helpful tips? Let the recipient know what they can get from your email.
Personalize whenever possible: Email personalization can add a touch of familiarity and make the reader feel like the email is addressed specifically to them. This can effectively increase email open rates.
An effective way to do this is to include the recipient’s name in the subject line. You can also customize your subject line for special occasions (e.g., saying happy birthday) and add elements that are related to the occasion, including event-related keywords or emojis.
Just like this email by Duolingo, which uses “Happy 1st Duoversary, [User Name]!” with a party emoji to create a personalized celebration message. The made-up word “Duoversary” adds brand personality while celebrating the user’s milestone with the app:
Image via Really Good Emails
Test your subject lines: Use tools like Omnisend’s subject line tester. It will help you analyze your subject lines for length, clarity, and potential spam triggers before sending your campaigns.
Image via Omnisend
Avoid spammy tactics: Exclamation points, using all caps, and excessive punctuation can suggest spammy content. Maintain a professional tone and avoid misleading language that might get your email filtered out as spam.
Use power words: Incorporate power words that evoke emotions or create a sense of urgency. Words like “exclusive,” “limited time,” “important,” or “new” can add a persuasive element to your subject line.
A/B test different options: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different subject lines to see what resonates best with your audience. Use A/B testing tools to send variations of your email to a small segment. Then, analyze which one generates a higher open rate.
Use emojis cautiously: Using emojis for email subject lines can add personality, but use them sparingly. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your email.
Optimize for preview text: Many email clients display a snippet of your email body after the subject line. Use the preview text to elaborate on the subject or create further intrigue. Ensure it complements the subject line without being redundant.
Create catchy subject lines and engaging email campaigns that get results with Omnisend
Email marketing changes extremely fast, and so do strategies for creating the best email marketing subject lines. We recommend you check out our latest guides to update your strategy and create good email subject lines for sales:
The best email subject lines are clear, concise, and relevant to your audience. They create curiosity or urgency while accurately representing your email content. Personalized subject lines with the recipient’s name or specific benefits typically perform well.
2. What email subject lines get the most opens?
Subject lines with urgency (“Last chance”), personalization (recipient’s name), numbers (“five tips”), and questions tend to get higher open rates. Free shipping offers, discount percentages, and time-sensitive language also drive strong engagement from subscribers.
3. What is a smart subject line?
A smart subject line balances curiosity with clarity, uses actionable language, and matches your brand voice. It should be mobile-friendly (under 40 characters), avoid spam triggers, and provide clear value to encourage opens without misleading recipients.
4. What makes a catchy subject line?
Catchy subject lines use unexpected language, humor, or intriguing questions that spark a recipient’s curiosity. They often include power words, create emotional connections, or reference current events while maintaining relevance to your email content and audience interests.
5. Should I use emojis in my subject lines?
Emojis can be great for your brand, but they can also seem out of place. The best question to ask is — do emojis fit into your brand personality? If they do, then you should definitely use them. If you’re not sure yet, A/B test it by adding one emoji in your subject line and monitoring the performance.
6. How long should an email subject line be?
The length of an email subject line can vary. However, there are some general guidelines to follow to drive higher open rates. It’s ideal to keep your subject line between 30–40 characters or around four to seven words so it doesn’t get cut off, especially on smaller screens.
If you aren’t sure how long your emails are, use our free email subject line tester to easily check your length and see how the line looks on different devices.
7. Will the word “free” send my emails to spam?
No, the word “free” alone won’t necessarily send your emails to spam. Spam filters look for a combination of factors, not just individual words. Spammy content elements, such as all-caps text, vague promises, and excessive use of exclamation points, can be red flags for spam filters.
Using the word “free” can potentially be problematic if it’s in combination with other facts, but it can also be beneficial. You just need to remember how to avoid spam filters when sending emails to customers.
8. Can I use all caps or exclamation marks?
You can, just sparingly. Putting a few words in caps is fine, but this should be the exception rather than the rule.
The same thing goes for exclamation marks. Try using just one exclamation mark instead of three to avoid coming off as angry. In most cases, a single mark will convey your message perfectly.
9. What are some tools I can use to help me write email subject lines?
There are several tools available that can help you write email subject lines, including our subject line generator, which suggests effective subject line options for your email campaigns.
Additionally, a subject line tester can help you refine it for maximum impact. It does this by analyzing factors like length, clarity, and potential spam triggers.
10. What should I do if my open rates are low?
If your open rates are low, there are a few things you can do to improve them:
— Use stronger subject lines — Tailor your subject lines to your recipients — Segment your list so you can send more relevant emails — Send fewer emails — Use a different email marketing platform
Bernard is the Sr. Director of Communications & Creative at Omnisend, with a passion for good research, helping ecommerce businesses with their marketing automation needs, and beating absolutely everyone in Mario Kart 64.
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