Email Subject Line Tester

Score your subject line out of 100, catch spam triggers before you hit send, and see exactly how it renders in a real inbox on mobile and desktop.

Free Email Marketing Tool

Email Subject Line Tester

Score your subject line out of 100, catch spam triggers before you hit send, and see exactly how it renders in a real inbox on mobile and desktop.

Your email

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Over half of email opens happen on mobile, where subject lines truncate around 35 to 40 characters. If your key message lands after that point, most recipients never see it.

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Subject line score
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Type a subject line to begin
Inbox preview
TB
Sender name 9:41 AM
Your subject line appears here
Preheader text shows next, if you add any
☆
TB
Sender name Your subject line appears here — preheader text shows next, greyed out, if you add any 9:41 AM
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All scoring happens locally in your browser using established email marketing benchmarks, not a live spam filter test. A flagged word rarely sends an email to spam on its own, deliverability depends on many factors including sender reputation and authentication that this tool cannot check.

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01Overview

What does the email subject line tester do?

Your subject line decides whether an email is opened, ignored or sent to spam. It is the highest-leverage line of copy in any email campaign.

This free email subject line tester scores your subject line, checks length, flags spam trigger words, excessive capitals and punctuation, and shows an inbox preview so you can see how it will look before you hit send.

Test several versions in a minute, then send the strongest two as an A/B test.

Quick answer

A strong subject line is usually 30 to 50 characters, specific, free of spam triggers like "100% free" or "ACT NOW", and paired with a preheader that adds information. Type yours above to get a score and inbox preview.

  • Free, no sign-up
  • Spam word check
  • Inbox preview
  • Length and score
02How to use

How to use the Email Subject Line Tester

Write two or three options before testing. Comparing is faster than perfecting one.

  1. Type your subject line

    Add emoji or personalisation tokens exactly as they will be sent.

  2. Check the spam flags

    Trigger words, ALL CAPS and heavy punctuation are highlighted so you can fix them.

  3. Review the score

    See the overall rating and how your length compares with what inboxes display.

  4. Preview and refine

    Check the inbox preview, then edit until it reads well and nothing important is cut off.

03How it works

How subject lines are scored

The score combines the factors most linked to opens and inbox placement.

Before and after in the inbox
Northwind OutdoorHUGE SALE!!! 50% OFF EVERYTHING - ACT NOW · Click here to see our amazing deals...
Northwind OutdoorYour 50% off code expires Sunday · Every jacket, boot and bag included

Top: all caps, three exclamation marks and spam phrases. Bottom: specific, urgent and easy to trust.

ChecksLength 30 to 50 characters is the sweet spot Spam triggers "free!!!", "guaranteed", "act now" Capitals avoid ALL CAPS words Punctuation max one ! or ? Clarity specific benefit or curiosity

No tool can guarantee inbox placement. Sender reputation and list quality matter more than any single word.

Worked example

Rewriting a promotional subject line.

Before
HUGE SALE!!! 50% OFF EVERYTHING - ACT NOW
Problems
All caps, 3 exclamation marks, spam phrases
After
Your 50% off code expires Sunday
Preheader
Every jacket, boot and bag included
Clear, specific and urgent without looking like spam.
04Reference

Subject line length by device

Inboxes cut long subject lines. Put the key words first.

Where it is readCharacters visible (approx.)Tip
Mobile inbox30 to 40Front-load the benefit
Desktop Gmail60 to 70Use the preheader for detail
Desktop Outlook50 to 60Keep it under 50 to be safe
Smartwatch and notifications20 to 25First three words must make sense alone
05Tips

How to write subject lines that get opened

Relevance beats tricks. Readers open emails that clearly matter to them.

Do this

  • Be specific"3 ways to cut your energy bill this winter" beats "Our latest newsletter".
  • Use the preheaderTreat it as a second subject line, not "View in browser".
  • Add honest urgencyReal deadlines work. Fake ones damage trust.
  • Test regularlySmall A/B tests on every campaign teach you what your audience responds to.

Subject line mistakes to avoid

  • Misleading subject linesFake "Re:" or "Fwd:" prefixes raise opens once and complaints forever.
  • ALL CAPS and !!!These look like spam to filters and to people.
  • Too many emojiOne relevant emoji can help. Several look cluttered and may not render everywhere.
  • Ignoring the sender namePeople decide based on who it is from as much as what it says.
06FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long should an email subject line be?

About 30 to 50 characters works well across devices. Mobile inboxes often show only 30 to 40 characters.

What words trigger spam filters?

Phrases like "100% free", "act now", "guaranteed", "cash" and "winner", especially with all caps and lots of exclamation marks. Modern filters weigh sender reputation more than single words.

Should I use emoji in subject lines?

One relevant emoji can help a subject line stand out. Test it with your audience and check it renders on major email clients.

What is a preheader?

The short preview text shown after the subject line in most inboxes. Use it to add detail or a second reason to open.

Does personalisation improve open rates?

Often, when it is relevant. Using a first name helps less than referencing something the reader actually did or wants.

What is a good open rate?

Open rates vary widely by industry and are less reliable since Apple Mail Privacy Protection. Track clicks and conversions too.

The Big Growth team

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