Guide : What is the best day to send cold emails in 2025 ?

Ever wondered what is the best day to send your cold emails? Believe it or not, recent research shows that the optimal time for sending can boost your reply percentage by over 30%! Yeah, you read that right - timing really matters in cold email marketing.

In today’s guide, we’re diving deep into why the day to send cold emails isn’t just random luck. From studying the highest reply rates to figuring out the factors you should consider, like sender reputation and even the apprehended spam filters, we’ve got you covered 🫡.  We’ll spill the beans on which day might actually be the worst day to send and share some best practices for your cold email outreach.

Whether you’re a pro or a newbie trying to decode the perfect time to send, this guide will walk you through every twist and turn. We’re talking real data insights that tell you exactly when your prospect or recipient is most likely to open your subject and give you an answer. Buckle up as we explore the secrets behind cold, effective, and smart sending that can seriously change your game!

What Is the Best Day to Send Cold Emails?

Timing can make or break your cold email strategy. Sending your email on the right weekday can improve open rates, increase engagement, and boost your chances of getting a reply. But what is the best day to send cold emails? While some days perform better than others, the ideal timing also depends on elements like industry trends and how recipients check their emails. Let’s break it down.

Data Analysis of Weekday Performance

Studies show that certain days perform better than others when it comes to cold email engagement. According to HubSpot (source: HubSpot, 2025), Tuesday is often the best day to send cold emails, with an open rate 16% higher than other days. This is because recipients are back into work mode after Monday but not yet overwhelmed by end-of-week deadlines.

• Tuesday has the highest engagement and open percentage.
• Thursday is another strong choice, as it’s late enough in the week for follow-ups but not yet the weekend.
• Mid-week tends to perform better than Mondays (when inboxes are overloaded) and Fridays (when people start winding down).

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Industry-Specific Variations

While Tuesday and Thursday show strong results across industries, there’s no universal rule. Different industries follow different rhythms. Some businesses may find that another day performs better based on their audience’s workflow.

The best day to send cold emails should be aligned with when your prospects are most active. Testing different days can help you determine the best fit for your sector.

Mobile vs Desktop Opening Patterns

Another point to consider is how recipients look at their emails. Mobile users often look at their inbox throughout the day, making it easy to reach them at different times. Desktop users, on the other hand, tend to open emails during structured work hours. Understanding these habits can help fine-tune your strategy, ensuring your email lands when your recipient is most likely to read it.

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What Time Is Optimal for Sending Cold Emails?

Choosing the best time to send cold emails can make a huge difference in your open and reply rates. Studies show that sending emails at the right time can improve engagement significantly. But what is the optimal time for sending cold emails? Research suggests that early mornings and mid-afternoon tend to work best, but time zones and device habits also play a crucial role.

Peak Engagement Hours

Several studies highlight specific time slots when prospects are most likely to engage with emails. According to Siege Media, analyzing over 85,000 personalized emails, the best time to send cold emails is between 6 AM and 9 AM PST, as this period sees higher open and click rates. Other research backs up additional key time slots:

• 8 AM – 10 AM (local time): Many professionals check emails first thing in the morning.
• 1 PM – 3 PM: After lunch, people often go through their inbox again.
• 4 PM – 6 PM: Late afternoon can be effective as people wrap up their workday.

Avoid sending emails late at night, as they’re more likely to be ignored or buried by morning.

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Time Zone Considerations

Timing also depends on where your audience is located. Smartlead.ai recommends scheduling emails based on the recipient’s time zone to ensure they arrive when the prospect is active. Using automation tools to personalize send times per region is recommended to maximize replies.

Device Usage Patterns Impact

Mobile and desktop behaviors influence email engagement. According to Growleady.io, professionals often read emails on mobile devices early in the morning, while desktop users are more active during standard work hours.

How Many Cold Emails Should I Send Daily?

Finding the right cold email volume is all about balance. Send too few, and you limit your outreach. Send too many, and you risk damaging your sender reputation or landing in spam. So, how many cold emails should you send per day? The answer depends on factors like deliverability, your domain's reputation, and how well you warm up your email account.

Volume Optimization Strategies

The ideal cold email volume depends on your setup. If you're starting fresh, sending 10-20 emails per day is a safe bet. Once your domain gains credibility, you can gradually increase this number. A well-established domain can safely handle:

• 50-100 emails per day for a new email address (after warming up).
• 200-300 emails per day for an aged domain with good engagement.
• 500+ emails per day for advanced setups with multiple domains and strong deliverability.

Deliverability Considerations

If you send too many emails too quickly, spam filters might flag your account. To stay safe:

• Keep an eye on tracking metrics like open and reply rates.
• Avoid large cold email blasts to unverified lists.
• Space out your emails throughout the day instead of sending them all at once.

Domain Warming Recommendations

A brand-new domain needs to be looked after carefully. Warm it up by sending a few emails daily and gradually increasing volume over weeks. Proper tracking helps ensure your emails land in inboxes, not spam folders. By following these steps, you can safely scale your cold email volume without hurting your sender reputation.

Which Days Have the Highest Reply Rates?

Choosing the right day to send cold emails isn’t just about open rates - it’s about when you’re most likely to get a reply. Some days are naturally better for engagement, while others see lower activity. So, which days have the highest reply rates, and when should you focus your outreach efforts?

Day-by-Day Analysis

Studies show that mid-week tends to have the best days for replies. According to HubSpot (source: HubSpot, 2025), Tuesday and Thursday consistently generate the highest reply, as professionals are fully engaged in their workweek.

• Monday: Not ideal—many people are catching up on tasks from the weekend.
• Tuesday: One of the best days for replies, with higher engagement.
• Wednesday: Solid option, but slightly lower than Tuesday.
• Thursday: Another strong day, as recipients are still active before the weekend.
• Friday: Lower reply rates, as professionals start winding down.

Industry Variations

Different industries have different habits. A professional working in B2B might be more likely to respond mid-week, while a B2C person in retail or hospitality might engage more on weekends. It’s important to analyze your audience’s behavior and adjust accordingly.

Seasonal Impacts

Seasons and holidays also play a role. During summer and year-end holidays, response rates tend to drop. Keeping a regular outreach schedule while adapting to these fluctuations can help maintain engagement and improve your overall reply percentage.

What Factors Affect Cold Email Success?

Sending a cold email is easy. Getting an answer? That’s the real challenge. Many aspects influence whether your email lands in an inbox, gets opened, or is ignored. Understanding these key elements can help you improve your success rate and optimize your outreach efforts.

Timing Factors

The timing you send your email can determine its effectiveness. A well-planned schedule can significantly boost open and reply rates. Research shows that mid-week days like Tuesday and Thursday have the best reply rates, while early mornings (8-10 AM) and post-lunch hours (1-3 PM) work best for engagement. Avoid sending emails late at night or on weekends when average open rates drop.

Technical Considerations

Technical setup plays a big role in deliverability. If your email is flagged as spam, it won’t matter how good your message is. Key technical factors include:

• Domain reputation: a poor sender reputation lowers your chances of reaching the inbox.
• Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC): helps verify your emails as legitimate.
• Tracking engagement: monitoring open and click rates helps you refine your schedule and strategy.

Recipient Behavior Patterns

Understanding your target audience is crucial. Some people read their emails first thing in the morning, while others engage later in the day. High-level executives may respond less frequently than mid-level managers. Personalizing your emails based on past behavior and industry trends can improve your chances of success and increase your overall reply rate.

When Should I Avoid Sending Cold Emails?

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Timing matters just as much for knowing when to avoid sending cold emails as it does for choosing the right time. Certain days and times can hurt your open and reply rates, making your outreach less effective.

Worst Times and Days

Some days are simply the worst day to send cold emails. Research shows that Mondays and Fridays often perform poorly:

• Monday: People are catching up on work and clearing their inboxes, so your email might get ignored.
• Friday: Many professionals are wrapping up their week and may not pay attention to new emails.

Early mornings before 7 AM and late nights after 8 PM also tend to have lower engagement.

Holiday Considerations

Avoid sending cold emails during major holidays when people are out of the office. If your email arrives during a break, it may never get seen. Instead, schedule your outreach for the days leading up to or after a holiday for better results.

Industry-Specific Blackout Periods

Some industries have easy-to-spot dead periods. For example, retail professionals are swamped during Black Friday, while corporate teams may be unavailable at the end of the fiscal year. Understanding these patterns can make a big difference in your email success rate.

What Are the Best Practices for Cold Emailing?

Timing Optimization Tips

Choosing the best time is key. Business emails perform best when sent on Tuesday or Thursday between 8-10 AM or 1-3 PM. Avoid early mornings, late nights, and weekends when engagement drops. A well-planned schedule can make a huge difference in open and reply rates.

Personalization Strategies

A generic email won’t get you far. Instead, create personalized messages that show you’ve researched your recipient. Use their name, mention their company, and refer to a specific challenge they face. A direct and relevant email is more likely to grab attention and lead to a response.

Have you tried Humanlinker for hyper personalization ? 👇

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Testing Methodologies

Even the best emails need tweaking. A/B testing helps you compare subject lines, send times, and messaging styles to see what works best. Tracking metrics like open rates and replies allows you to refine your approach and improve results over time..

The Psychology Behind Email Checking Habits

Understanding why and when people check their emails can help you craft a smarter cold email strategy. Human behavior plays a big role in when your message gets opened and how much attention it receives.

Morning Routine Impact

Most professionals start their day by reading emails. Studies show that many people scan their inbox between 8-10 AM, making this a prime window for engagement. However, mornings can also be overwhelming, with recipients quickly filtering out emails that don’t seem urgent or relevant. To stand out, your subject line should be direct and compelling.

Decision Fatigue Factor

As the day progresses, people face countless decisions, from work tasks to personal choices. By the afternoon, decision fatigue kicks in, making it harder for them to engage with new messages. Sending emails earlier in the day increases the chances of getting a fresh, focused response.

Attention Span Patterns

With inboxes flooded daily, the average professional spends just a few seconds deciding whether to open an email. Keeping your message short and to the point improves readability. If your recipient can learn what’s in it for them at a glance, you’ll have a much better chance of getting a response.

Industry-Specific Email Timing Guide

Not all industries follow the same email habits. The best time to send a cold email depends on whether you’re targeting B2B or B2C, the specific sector, and even the recipient’s role within a company. Understanding these differences helps you optimize your approach.

B2B vs B2C Timing

For B2B emails, weekdays work best, particularly Tuesday to Thursday between 8-10 AM or 1-3 PM when professionals are engaged in their work. Avoid Mondays (inbox overload) and Fridays (people are wrapping up their week).

In B2C, email habits vary more. Consumers check emails at different times, often in the evening or on weekends, when they have more personal time. Testing different sending times is crucial to finding the best window.

Sector-Specific Analysis

Different industries have unique rhythms:

• Tech & SaaS: Early mornings work well as professionals check emails before diving into tasks.
• Retail & Ecommerce: Evenings and weekends see more consumer engagement.
• Finance & Legal: Mornings are best when decision-makers are fresh and focused.

Role-Based Timing Preferences

Executives may check emails early in the morning, while mid-level employees often engage after lunch. Aligning your timing with who you’re reaching can make a big impact on your cold email success.

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Mastering cold email timing isn’t about guessing - it’s about using data, psychology, and industry insights to improve your reply rates. Research shows that Tuesday and Thursday are often the best days, with early mornings and mid-afternoons being prime engagement windows. But the perfect time to send cold emails also depends on factors like your recipient’s industry, role, and device habits.

To maximize success, avoid the worst days (like Mondays and Fridays), personalize your approach, and keep an eye on tracking metrics. Pay attention to time zones, warm up your domain properly, and test different strategies to see what works best for your audience.

At the end of the day, there’s no universal formula, but by applying these best practices, you’ll create a stronger, smarter cold email strategy - one that gets noticed, opened, and answered. Now it’s time to hit send with confidence!

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