Using the HTML Email Boilerplate Generator

This generator creates a robust starting point for any HTML email. It produces a battle-tested structure that addresses many of the common rendering quirks found in major email clients like Outlook and Gmail.

1. Enter a Title: This text appears in the browser tab if the email is opened in a web client.
2. Add Preheader Text: This is the crucial snippet of text that appears next to or below the subject line in most email clients. A good preheader can significantly increase open rates.
3. Copy the Code: The full HTML document is generated instantly. Copy the code and use it as the foundation for your email design.

Why is HTML for Email So Difficult?

Unlike modern web browsers that share common standards, email clients are notoriously inconsistent. There are dozens of them across desktop, web, and mobile, and each one renders HTML and CSS differently. The most famous challenge is Microsoft Outlook on Windows, which uses the Microsoft Word rendering engine, not a web browser engine. This forces developers to rely on older, more rigid coding practices.

The Main Concepts in This Boilerplate

This generator includes several best practices to ensure your email looks as consistent as possible everywhere:

• Tables for Layout: While considered an outdated practice for web pages, tables are the only reliable way to create a consistent, grid-like layout that works in all email clients, especially Outlook.
• Inline CSS: For maximum compatibility, most of your specific styles (colors, fonts, padding) should be applied directly to HTML elements using the style="..." attribute. This boilerplate uses an internal stylesheet for basic resets that are generally well-supported.
• The Preheader: The generator includes a hidden <div> at the top of the body. This is the preheader text. It is visible in the inbox preview but hidden in the actual email, preventing clients from grabbing other text from your email to display as the preview.
• Ghost Tables: The code includes sections that look like <!--[if mso]> ... <![endif]-->. These are conditional comments that only Microsoft Outlook (mso) reads. They are used to create "ghost tables" that wrap the main content, helping to fix Outlook's layout and width problems.
• Accessibility Roles: The layout tables include the attribute role="presentation". This tells assistive technologies like screen readers to treat the table as a visual layout tool, not a data table, so it won't confuse users by reading out table rows and columns.

A Word on Testing

Even with a solid boilerplate, testing your final email design is essential. What looks perfect in one client might be broken in another. It is highly recommended to use an email testing service (like Litmus or Email on Acid) to see screenshots of how your email renders across dozens of different email clients and devices before sending it to your audience.