Top 300 Email Opening Lines That ACTUALLY Work (2025)

You want to write an email opening line that sounds natural — like a real person wrote it. Not something stiff, overly formal, or clearly generated by AI. If you’re using email personalization, the words you open with matter even more.

Most people lose their reader in the first sentence. It’s either too vague, too generic, or trying too hard. And once someone tunes out, the rest of your email doesn’t matter anymore.

That’s why we put this guide together.

Here’s what’s inside:

• A breakdown of what actually makes a good email opener
• A 5-step method to write intros that feel personal, not robotic
• The top mistakes to avoid if you want to sound like a human
• 300 of the best opening lines for any purpose

If you want better replies, better clicks, and better conversations — it starts with the first sentence. This guide will help you get it right.

What is an Email Opening Line?

An email opening line is the first sentence you write after the greeting. It’s the part that sets the mood for the entire message. In just a few words, it tells the reader why you’re reaching out — or at least makes them want to keep reading to find out.

Sometimes the goal is to follow up.

Other times it’s to say thanks, introduce yourself, or explain something new. But no matter the purpose, the way you open matters. It’s the first impression your message makes, and it can decide whether the rest gets read or ignored.

Why does the First Line of an Email matter?

They capture attention right away and shape how your message is received. A strong email opening line increases the chances of getting your email read and answered.

Most good opening lines check one or more of these boxes:

• Context – Why are you writing? Are you following up, responding, or reaching out for the first time?
• Tone – Is your message formal, casual, friendly, or direct? The opening line sets that tone right away.
• Personalization – Using a name, company, event, or shared detail makes it feel less like a mass message.
• Value – Hint at what’s coming next. Why should the reader keep reading?

When done well, a great opening feels natural and human — like something you’d actually say out loud.

Listed: 150 Best Email Opening Lines for Any Situation

Whether you’re writing a cold email, following up, or just saying thanks — this list has you covered.

Each section below includes 15 subsections, with each one of them having 20 examples tailored to different situations, tones, and goals. Pick the one that fits your message and make it your own.

Let’s begin.

Formal Email Opening Lines

Formal email openers help you sound respectful and professional. They’re great when you don’t know the person well or when writing in serious work settings.

These are ideal for legal, executive, or corporate messages. You can also pair them with Email personalization or User profiles for a more tailored touch. Use them when first impressions really matter.

1. I hope this message finds you well, {{firstname}}.
2. I’m writing to follow up on our previous conversation.
3. I’d like to formally introduce myself as your new contact at {{company}}.
4. I’m reaching out regarding your recent inquiry.
5. I hope you’re having a productive week.
6. I trust all is well on your end.
7. Please allow me to introduce myself — I’m part of the team here.
8. I’m contacting you on behalf of our team.
9. I wanted to bring this matter to your attention.
10. I hope you had a restful weekend.
11. I’m writing to request further information.
12. I’m following up as promised.
13. I’d like to discuss the next steps for our collaboration.
14. I wanted to check in regarding the previous email.
15. Thank you for your time and attention to this request.
16. I appreciate the opportunity to connect.
17. I’m reaching out in reference to your recent post on {{platform}}.
18. I hope everything is going smoothly on your side.
19. I’m writing to introduce a potential collaboration with {{team_name}}.
20. I’d like to bring you up to speed on our latest update.

Informal Email Opening Lines

Informal openers work well when you know the person or the company culture is casual. They make things feel friendly and human without being unprofessional.

These are great for teammates, startup environments, or casual client interactions. You might use them when sending a quick update or responding to something that doesn’t need a formal tone. If you’re managing conversations through a flow or quick update, this tone can save time and build rapport.

1. Hey, hope you’re doing good.
2. Just checking in — how’s everything going?
3. Quick note to share an update.
4. Wanted to run something by you.
5. Hope you had a good weekend.
6. Thought I’d drop a quick line.
7. Just saw your note — here’s what I think.
8. Let me know what you think of this idea.
9. Got a minute? Wanted to ask you something about {{project_name}}.
10. Hope things are going well.
11. Just looping you in on this.
12. Hope your week’s off to a solid start.
13. Wanted to follow up real quick.
14. Here’s a quick idea I had.
15. Got a sec to look this over?
16. Just touching base after the meeting.
17. How’s everything with you lately?
18. Hope work’s treating you well.
19. Thought this might be useful.
20. Hope all is good on your end, {{firstname}}.

“Hope You Are Well” Email Opening Lines

“Hope you are well” is one of the most common email openers — and for good reason. It’s polite, soft, and works well when you don’t want to jump into business right away. Still, it can feel repetitive if you use the same phrase every time.

These examples offer a little variety while keeping the tone friendly and respectful. Use them in general updates, early conversations, or when re-engaging someone after a while.

1. I hope you’re doing well.
2. Hope everything’s going smoothly with you.
3. Trust you’ve had a good week so far.
4. I hope this email finds you in good spirits.
5. Hope your day’s been going well.
6. Trust all is going well on your side.
7. I hope life’s treating you kindly these days.
8. Just wanted to say I hope everything’s good with you.
9. Hope you and your team are doing well.
10. I trust things are moving along nicely for you.
11. Hope your projects are going smoothly.
12. I hope you’re safe and well.
13. Wishing you a productive and positive week.
14. I hope all is well since we last spoke.
15. Hoping this message reaches you at a good time.
16. I hope the start of your week has been good.
17. Sending well wishes your way.
18. Hope things are on track on your end.
19. I hope your schedule’s been manageable lately.
20. Just checking in and hoping everything’s fine, {{firstname}}.

Polite Email Opening Lines

Polite email openers are respectful and neutral — perfect when you want to sound courteous without going too formal. They’re great for thank-you notes, asking for feedback, or responding to clients.

If you’re reaching out for the first time, or replying to someone outside your immediate team, these phrases help you strike the right tone. They’re safe and effective without sounding too stiff.

1. I hope you’re having a pleasant day.
2. May I take a moment of your time?
3. I appreciate you taking a moment to read this.
4. I’m grateful for the opportunity to write to you.
5. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
6. I hope everything is going well with your current projects.
7. Please accept my best regards.
8. I’d like to respectfully raise a concern.
9. I hope this email isn’t interrupting anything urgent.
10. Thank you for your continued support.
11. I wanted to extend my appreciation before I begin.
12. I hope you don’t mind me reaching out directly.
13. I’d be grateful for your thoughts on this.
14. Please allow me to introduce this idea regarding {{topic}}.
15. I hope you’re finding success with your current work.
16. Thank you again for your time.
17. I appreciate you considering this suggestion.
18. I hope you won’t mind a quick follow-up.
19. Wishing you a smooth rest of the week.
20. I hope you had a restful evening.

Professional Email Opening Lines

Professional openers are straightforward and reliable. They’re great for updates, requests, status checks, or project conversations. Basically, when you want to sound clear and confident without being too casual or too stiff.

These work across industries and departments. If you’re sending a report, asking for feedback, or keeping a deal moving, this tone keeps things simple and effective.

1. I’m reaching out to provide an update on {{project_name}}.
2. I’d like to discuss our upcoming plans.
3. Here’s a quick overview of what we discussed.
4. Following up on our last conversation.
5. I’d like to revisit our earlier discussion.
6. I’ve outlined some points below for your review.
7. I wanted to share the latest version with you.
8. I’d like your input on the following idea.
9. I hope we can align on the next steps together.
10. I’m following up regarding the project.
11. Here’s the information you requested.
12. I’d like to schedule a time to connect later this week.
13. Sharing some initial thoughts with you.
14. I’d like to clarify a few things before we proceed.
15. Let’s align on the deliverables for the current sprint.
16. I’m reaching out to confirm a few details.
17. Please see below for my feedback.
18. I’ve attached the requested documents to this email.
19. Thanks again for your insights on this.
20. Let me know your availability for a quick call.

Business Email Opening Lines

Business openers are direct and focused on results. They work well when discussing deals, partnerships, or high-level updates. These lines help move things forward while keeping your tone professional.

You’ll often use them with clients or external partners. They’re especially effective when you’re using features like Lead scoring to identify high-value contacts.

1. I’m following up on our last business discussion.
2. I’d like to share a quick update regarding {{deal_name}}.
3. I’m writing with a proposal for your review.
4. Here’s what we’ve achieved since our last check-in.
5. Just a quick update on where things stand.
6. I’m reaching out to confirm some details on our agreement.
7. We’re on track with {{project_name}}, and I wanted to share progress.
8. A few points came up that are worth discussing.
9. I’ve attached the revised scope of work for your feedback.
10. Touching base before our next steps.
11. I’d like to discuss our Q2 goals and alignment.
12. Let’s schedule time to go over the metrics.
13. I’ve prepared the numbers we discussed.
14. Here’s a draft proposal for you to review.
15. Following up on your request from earlier.
16. I wanted to make sure you had what you needed from our end.
17. Checking in before we send the final version.
18. Let me know if this direction aligns with your team.
19. Thanks again for your partnership.
20. Looking forward to hearing your feedback on this.

Friendly Email Opening Lines

Friendly openers are best when you’re chatting with someone you already know or want to build a casual connection with. They strike a balance between warmth and clarity without sounding like small talk.

These are perfect when you’re following up after a casual intro call, checking in on someone you’ve worked with before, or just keeping things light. It’s a great tone for onboarding sequences or when your brand voice is more relaxed.

1. Just wanted to say hi and check in.
2. Hope your week’s going great so far.
3. I was thinking about our last chat and wanted to follow up.
4. Hope you’ve been doing well since we last spoke.
5. Wanted to reach out with a quick hello.
6. Hope everything’s going smoothly over there.
7. Just a quick message to say hey.
8. Hope you’re having a good one.
9. Thought I’d check in on how things are going.
10. Just touching base — how’s it going?
11. Hope all’s good with you this week.
12. Wanted to say thanks and follow up.
13. Hope your day’s been treating you well.
14. I saw something that reminded me of our chat.
15. Wanted to share a quick update and see how you are.
16. Thought you’d appreciate a quick check-in.
17. Hope you’re making it through the week alright.
18. Wanted to follow up and say thanks again.
19. Just wanted to reconnect briefly.
20. Checking in to see how you’re doing.

Follow-up Email Opening Lines

Follow-up openers are useful when someone hasn’t replied or when you’re continuing an earlier conversation. You don’t want to sound pushy, but you also don’t want to let things go cold.

These work especially well when paired with tools like Behavior emails or User segments, where you can trigger messages based on someone’s last action or inactivity. Keep them clear and respectful.

1. Just wanted to follow up and see if you had any thoughts on this.
2. Circling back to check if this is still on your radar.
3. Wanted to make sure my last email didn’t slip through the cracks.
4. I know things get busy — just following up here.
5. Checking in to see where things stand.
6. Quick reminder in case this got buried in your inbox.
7. Just touching base on the note I sent last week.
8. Any updates on the points we discussed?
9. Hoping to hear back soon so we can move forward.
10. Wanted to see if there’s anything else you need from me.
11. Following up on the proposal I shared with you.
12. I’m here if you have any questions or concerns.
13. Still interested in your feedback on this.
14. Let me know if now’s not the right time.
15. Wanted to reconnect and see if this is a fit.
16. Checking in after our last conversation.
17. Reaching out again to keep the momentum going.
18. Just a quick follow-up to keep things moving.
19. Wanted to close the loop on this.
20. Let me know if you’d like to pick this up later.

Cold Outreach Email Opening Lines

Cold outreach emails need to earn attention fast. The person doesn’t know you yet, so your opening line should be clear, relevant, and non-intrusive.

Good cold openers often reference a shared interest, recent activity, or a challenge the recipient might be facing. They pair well with personalization to keep things specific.

1. I came across your profile and wanted to reach out.
2. I noticed your team at {{company}} is growing — congrats.
3. I’ve been following your work on {{platform}} and found it insightful.
4. Reaching out with an idea I think your team will find helpful.
5. Saw your recent update and thought I’d get in touch.
6. Based on your work in {{industry}}, I thought this might interest you.
7. I work with teams like yours to solve similar challenges.
8. I know you’re busy — I’ll keep this brief.
9. A quick note with something that could save your team time.
10. I’ve got a suggestion that might help with {{goal}}.
11. I’m reaching out because we’ve helped similar companies like {{company}}.
12. Noticed you’re hiring — thought this might be useful.
13. Thought I’d introduce myself and share a quick idea.
14. I’ve done some research and wanted to send this your way.
15. We’ve worked with other companies in your space.
16. You popped up in a conversation and I thought to reach out.
17. I’m not sure if this is relevant, but it might be helpful.
18. Curious if you’re exploring new tools for {{area}}.
19. I’ve been thinking about how you handle {{process}}.
20. Just reaching out — feel free to ignore this if it’s not a fit.

Introduction Email Opening Lines

Introductory emails are your first chance to make an impression. Whether you’re starting a new client relationship or reaching out after a referral, you want to be friendly, clear, and confident.

This type of opener works well in onboarding flows or when assigning new contacts. With User profiles and Company profiles, you can personalize intros easily.

1. I wanted to quickly introduce myself — I’ll be your main contact here.
2. We haven’t met yet, but I’ll be working with you moving forward.
3. I’m new to the team at {{company}}, and wanted to say hello.
4. A quick note to introduce myself and get the conversation started.
5. You were referred to me by {{referral_name}}, and I wanted to reach out.
6. I’ll be taking over from {{previous_rep}} on your account.
7. I’m part of the team supporting your project at {{company}}.
8. I just joined {{company}} and I’ll be handling your account.
9. We’re connected through {{mutual_contact}}, and I wanted to say hi.
10. Reaching out as I’ll be helping you with {{topic}} moving forward.
11. It’s great to connect — looking forward to working together.
12. I’ll be your point of contact for anything related to {{product_name}}.
13. Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself properly.
14. I’m stepping in to assist with your onboarding at {{company}}.
15. I’ll be coordinating things from our side and keeping you updated.
16. Nice to e-meet you! I’m looking forward to helping out.
17. I’m here to help you get the most out of {{platform}}.
18. I handle accounts like yours and wanted to reach out directly.
19. You’ll be hearing from me moving forward on any support needs.
20. Happy to be your main contact going forward — feel free to reach out anytime.

Sales Email Opening Lines

Sales email openers need to grab attention fast and set the right tone. You want to show value without sounding like a pitch. Make it clear you’ve done your homework.

1. I’ve got a quick idea that could help with {{problem}}.
2. Based on your recent activity, I think this could be useful.
3. I work with teams like yours to boost {{goal}}.
4. I noticed your team is doing great work — here’s something that might help.
5. I’m reaching out with a simple way to save time on {{task}}.
6. Thought this solution might be a fit for what you’re working on.
7. Have you ever run into challenges with {{process}}?
8. We’ve helped similar companies improve their {{metric}}.
9. I’d love to show you a quick way to streamline your workflow.
10. Just a quick note — no fluff, just something that could help.
11. Curious if {{tool}} is something you’ve been considering.
12. I’ve seen success with other teams using this — might be worth a look.
13. What’s your current approach to {{area}}?
14. I came across your team’s work and had a quick idea.
15. Do you have 2 minutes for something potentially helpful?
16. I’ll be brief — here’s a quick way to improve {{target}}.
17. We recently launched something that might be relevant.
18. Noticed you’re scaling — wanted to send this along.
19. I saw your {{campaign}} and thought of this angle.
20. This won’t take long — just wanted to share something useful.

Reminder Email Opening Lines

Reminders are about being helpful without nagging. Whether it’s a deadline, meeting, or action item, your opener should feel supportive and low-pressure.

You can use these with scheduled Broadcasts or automated reminders through your.

1. Just a friendly reminder about the upcoming deadline.
2. Quick note that your trial ends soon — don’t miss out.
3. Checking in before we close the file on this.
4. Following up as the due date is approaching.
5. Just making sure you didn’t miss this.
6. Wanted to remind you of our upcoming meeting.
7. Touching base before the timeline runs out.
8. Your link to access {{resource}} is still active.
9. This is the last call before {{event}} starts.
10. Don’t forget — {{task}} is still pending.
11. Giving you a quick heads-up on {{milestone}}.
12. Here’s a reminder to wrap things up on your end.
13. Just one more nudge on this.
14. You still have time to act on {{offer}}.
15. Not sure if this slipped through — here’s a quick ping.
16. Wanted to remind you we’re waiting on next steps.
17. This is a final heads-up before we move on.
18. Time’s almost up — let me know if you need anything.
19. Just making sure this didn’t get missed.
20. Friendly reminder — looking forward to hearing from you.

Interested in reminders? Then you might be into our guide on the best reminder emails, where we’re handing out examples and free templates.

Thank You Email Opening Lines

These openers help you express appreciation in a way that feels sincere and relevant. Whether you’re thanking someone for their time, feedback, or action, it sets a positive tone right away.

Useful for post-meeting messages, testimonials, or support responses.

1. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.
2. I really appreciate your quick response.
3. Just wanted to say thanks again for your help with {{issue}}.
4. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
5. I’m grateful for your feedback on {{topic}}.
6. Just wanted to send a quick thank you for your support.
7. Thanks again for your input — really helpful.
8. I appreciate your time and attention to this.
9. Thanks for giving this your consideration.
10. I wanted to personally thank you for your time.
11. Thank you for the opportunity to work together.
12. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me — much appreciated.
13. I just wanted to express my appreciation.
14. Thanks so much for your patience with this process.
15. Appreciate you getting this sorted out.
16. Thanks for sticking with us while we resolved that.
17. Appreciate the trust you’ve placed in us.
18. Thanks again for your collaboration on this.
19. I’m grateful we got a chance to speak.
20. Thanks for making the time — I’ll follow up shortly.

Apology Email Opening Lines

Sometimes things go wrong — and when they do, starting with a clear and honest apology helps maintain trust. The key is to be direct, human, and focused on resolution.

These are good to send manually or automatically when using Event management to track errors, failed actions, or delays.

1. I want to sincerely apologize for the delay.
2. Sorry about the confusion earlier — here’s what happened.
3. We dropped the ball on this one, and I wanted to reach out.
4. I realize this caused inconvenience — and I’m sorry for that.
5. I take full responsibility for the mistake.
6. Sorry this took longer than expected.
7. I’d like to apologize and explain what went wrong.
8. We didn’t meet expectations, and we’re working to fix it.
9. I’m truly sorry for the oversight.
10. We missed the mark — here’s what we’re doing to fix it.
11. Apologies for the confusion — let me clarify.
12. This isn’t the experience we aim to provide.
13. Thanks for your patience — and sorry again for the trouble.
14. I wanted to acknowledge the issue and say I’m sorry.
15. Sorry for the mix-up — here’s the corrected info.
16. We’ve reviewed the situation and we’re taking steps to improve.
17. I understand the frustration — we’re on it.
18. We’ve identified the cause and are fixing it now.
19. You were right to flag this, and we’re sorry for the trouble.
20. Please accept our apology — we’re making it right.

Funny Email Opening Lines

Humor doesn’t fit every situation, but when it does, it helps you stand out and build instant connection. These are great in casual environments, fun brands, or when writing to someone you already know well.

Perfect for newsletters, casual follow-ups, or warming up cold contacts — especially if you’re using an Email editor to add personality and visuals.

1. I promise this isn’t another boring email.
2. Don’t worry, no long paragraphs ahead.
3. Insert clever opening line here.
4. Just when you thought your inbox was safe…
5. Not another “quick follow-up” — I swear.
6. It’s me again — your favorite sender.
7. Hope this message finds you and your coffee strong.
8. Sending this email before AI takes my job.
9. No clickbait here — just actual useful stuff.
10. I’ve read your inbox — I know this better be good.
11. OK, maybe this is a little random — but it’s worth it.
12. If this subject line made you open, mission accomplished.
13. I’ll keep this short, unlike most email intros.
14. Just a friendly human trying to get your attention.
15. Consider this your inbox icebreaker.
16. Not selling magic beans, promise.
17. It’s not urgent — just mildly important.
18. Spoiler: There’s actually something useful below.
19. If you’ve made it this far, congrats — no fluff here.
20. Opening line? Check. Now let’s get into the good stuff.

How to Write a Good Email Opening Line

A good email opening line is simple, clear, and sounds like something you’d actually say. Whether you’re reaching out cold or continuing a conversation, the goal is to make the reader want to keep going — without sounding like a template.

Here’s how to write one that works.

Step 1: Know who you’re writing to

Think about who’s reading your email. Is it a new lead, a customer, or someone you’ve spoken with before? That alone should guide how your first sentence sounds.

The more you understand your audience, the easier it is to write something that feels natural.

Step 2: Match the tone to the situation

Your opening line should reflect the type of message you’re sending. Sales emails, support replies, and internal updates all have a different tone.

It doesn’t need to be perfect — just close enough to sound like you belong in the conversation.

Step 3: Get to the point quickly

The first sentence should make your reason for writing clear. Mention what the message is about, what it relates to, or why it matters.

People are busy. If you get to the point fast, you’ve already done better than most emails in their inbox.

Step 4: Add a personal touch

Even small bits of personalization can change how your message feels. Mention a name, a company, something recent, or a shared topic.

It shows you put thought into the email — and that it’s not just a generic send-out.

Step 5: Make it sound like you wrote it for them

Use phrasing that feels intentional. Instead of falling back on worn-out lines, say something that actually fits the context of the email and the relationship.

It doesn’t need to be clever — it just needs to sound real.

Common Mistakes in Opening Lines

Even a good email can fall flat if the first sentence doesn’t land. These are the most common mistakes people make when writing opening lines — and why they’re worth avoiding.

1. Being too generic – Overused lines like “Hope you’re well” make you sound like everyone else.
2. Not saying why you’re writing – If it’s unclear what the email is about, people lose interest fast.
3. Wrong tone for the reader – Too formal or too casual can both feel out of place.
4. Writing a whole paragraph – Long openings make it harder to get to the point.
5. No personalization at all – It feels like a mass email when there’s nothing specific to the reader.

The best way to avoid these?

Keep it clear, short, and written the way you’d actually say it if you were speaking to the person.

Real-Life Opening Line Examples

This is a short section, but it’s packed with value.

Below, you’ll find a gallery of email screenshots showing opening lines that actually worked. Take a look, get inspired, and borrow whatever fits — then make it your own.

Let’s take a look at another one:

Lastly, here’s our third example:

Noticed a few lines that could work for you?

Feel free to tweak them, mix them with your own voice, and test what gets the best response. Even small changes can make a big difference when your opening line feels personal and real.

Strong First Lines Get Opens, but Encharge Gets Results

Writing a strong email opening line is one thing — getting it in front of the right people at the right time is another.

That’s where Encharge comes in:

✅ Visual automation builder – Create email flows triggered by user behavior or actions.
✅ Personalization at scale – Use names, company details, and custom fields to make every email feel personal.
✅ Advanced segmentation – Target specific users based on what they’ve done (or haven’t done).
✅ Drag-and-drop email editor – Build beautiful emails without code.
✅ Works with your stack – Connects with Stripe, and other tools you already use.

Whether you’re sending onboarding sequences, re-engagement campaigns or anything else, Encharge helps you send emails that feel personal — and start with lines that actually get read.

Start your free trial with Encharge today and turn strong openers into real results.

FAQ about Email Opening Lines

1. Is “Hi” or “Hey” good to use for an email’s opening line?

Yes, starting an email with Hi or Hey is a good practice if the context fits. Here’s what you have to know about using these greetings in an email’s opening line:

• Hi is safe for most casual or professional emails, especially if you’ve spoken to the person before.
• Hey is more relaxed and should be used only when you know the person well or if the tone of your brand or team is informal.

When in doubt, “Hi” is the better default.

2. How long should an email opening line be?

One sentence is enough.

It should be short enough to read at a glance but clear enough to show why you’re writing — aim for one line that gets to the point without sounding rushed or vague.

3. Can I use the same opening line for every email?

You can, but it’s not a good idea.

Repeating the same line makes your emails feel robotic or mass-sent. Even small changes in wording or personalization help your message feel more thoughtful and relevant.

4. Is it okay to start with ‘I hope you’re well’?

Yes, it’s okay — but try not to rely on it every time. It’s polite, but overused and easy to ignore. If you use it, follow up quickly with something specific or relevant to keep the reader interested.

5. Are emojis okay in opening lines?

Only if the tone fits and you know your audience well. In casual or internal emails, an emoji can add personality.

But for professional, cold, or formal emails, it’s best to skip them.

Thank you so much for reading this,
David Ch
Head of Marketing at Encharge