The Best Time to Send Cold Emails (Based on Real Data)

Does Timing Really Matter?

Yes, but perhaps not as much as you think. Sending at the right time can improve your open rates by 10-20%, but it will never compensate for poor messaging or irrelevant targeting. Think of timing as a multiplier: it makes good emails better but cannot save bad ones.

Best Days to Send Cold Emails

Data from multiple studies consistently points to the same patterns:

• Tuesday: The top-performing day across almost every study. People have cleared their Monday backlog and are in work mode.
• Wednesday: A close second. Midweek energy means more inbox attention.
• Thursday: Still strong, especially for follow-ups.
• Monday: Decent, but morning inboxes are crowded with weekend catch-up.
• Friday: Lower engagement as people wind down for the weekend.
• Saturday and Sunday: Avoid for B2B outreach. Open rates drop significantly.

Best Times to Send Cold Emails

The optimal sending windows depend on your recipient's time zone:

1. 8:00-10:00 AM: Catch people as they start their workday and check email first thing.
2. 1:00-2:00 PM: The post-lunch inbox check is a strong secondary window.
3. 4:00-5:00 PM: Some people do an end-of-day email sweep before logging off.

Avoid sending between 10 PM and 6 AM in the recipient's time zone. Late-night emails often get buried under the morning flood.

Time Zone Considerations

If you are emailing prospects across multiple time zones, segment your sends accordingly. A 9 AM email in New York arrives at 6 AM in Los Angeles. Most email tools let you schedule sends based on the recipient's local time, which can significantly improve your open rates.

Industry Variations

These are general guidelines. Your specific audience may behave differently:

• Enterprise/corporate: Stick to traditional business hours
• Startups and tech: Slightly later mornings, more evening activity
• Local businesses: Early morning before they get busy with customers
• Freelancers and agencies: Midweek, mid-morning tends to work well

Test Your Own Data

While these benchmarks give you a starting point, the best time to send cold emails is the time that works for your specific audience. Run your own tests by splitting your list and sending at different times. Track open rates and reply rates to find your sweet spot.

Of course, timing only matters if your email reaches the right person. Easy Email Finder helps you build targeted prospect lists with verified business emails, so your perfectly timed outreach lands in the right inbox. Start with accurate data from Easy Email Finder and let timing do the rest.