HTML email is what lets you turn a message into a branded experience: layouts, product images, buttons, and color. It's the workhorse format for marketing campaigns and newsletters.

How does HTML email work?

You build the email with HTML and inline CSS. Email clients render it — though inconsistently, which is why email HTML is more constrained than web HTML.

HTML email challenges

Email clients vary widely in what they support, so HTML emails need careful, tested coding and often a plain text fallback. Overly heavy designs can also hurt deliverability.

HTML email best practices

Use tested, responsive templates, keep the code clean, balance images with text, include alt text, and always send a multipart version with a plain text alternative.