Email subject lines are your first chance to make an impression—and a funny one at that! Did you know that emails with humorous subject lines can improve open rates by up to 35% (source: Campaign Monitor)? That’s the power of a clever joke or playful phrase.
In this guide, we’ll share 50+ funny email subject lines to help your campaigns shine in 2025.
Whether you're re-engaging a customer, sending a Friday laugh, running a sales promo, or making pop culture references these subject lines will leave your audience smiling and curious to click. Let’s dive in and make your emails the highlight of their inbox!
Can Funny Subject Lines Be Used in Emails?
Yes, funny subject lines can be effectively used in emails, serving as a powerful tool to engage and connect with your audience.
By incorporating humor into your email subject lines, you not only capture attention but also increase the likelihood of your emails being opened and read.
This strategy leverages the emotional connection that humor can foster, making your messages more memorable and impactful.
- Engagement and Open Rates
- Funny email subject lines can significantly boost open rates. Data from various email marketing campaigns show that emails with humorous subject lines have a higher open rate compared to those with conventional subject lines.
- An attention-grabbing subject line can increase open rates by creating curiosity and excitement. This increase is attributed to the curiosity and positive emotions funny subject lines evoke, making recipients more inclined to explore the content of the email.
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- Building Brand Personality
- Injecting humor into your email subject lines helps in showcasing your brand's personality and brand identity. This strategy makes your brand seem more approachable and relatable to your target audience.
- Brands that successfully use funny email subject lines are often perceived as more human and engaging, which can foster a stronger emotional connection with subscribers and customers.
Fun Email Marketing for Fridays: Relax with a Laugh
1. "It’s Friday! Let’s Email and Chill 😎"
2. "Fri-YAY Fun: Emails That’ll Make You LOL"
3. "Your Inbox Deserves a Friday Funday 🎉"
4. "Emails So Funny, They’ll End Your Week Right!"
5. "Friday Humor Inside: Open If You Dare 😂"
6. "Turn Your TGIF Into LOL with These Emails"
7. "Inbox Break: Fun Reads for Your Friday Mood"
8. "End Your Week on a High Note (and a Giggle!)"
Cold Emails That Break the Ice with Humor
1. "Is This the Email Equivalent of a First Date? 👀"
2. "Not Your Average Cold Email (We Promise!)"
3. "Breaking the Ice, One Email at a Time ❄️"
4. "Cold Email, Warm Intentions 🧣"
5. "Is It Cold in Here, or Is It Just This Email? 🥶"
6. "We’re Basically Pen Pals Now, Right?"
7. "This Email May Be Cold, But Our Offer Is Hot!"
8. "Read This Email—It’s Cooler Than You Think ❄️🔥"
Welcome Emails That Make a Funny First Impression
1. Welcome! We Hope This Email Finds You in a Good Mood 😄"
2. "New Here? Don’t Worry, We Don’t Bite (Much) 🐾"
3. "Welcome Aboard! Snacks Are in the Email (Just Kidding!)"
4. "Joining Us Was the Easy Part. Now, the Fun Begins!"
5. "Welcome to the Club—We’ll Try to Keep It Interesting!"
6. "We’re Glad You’re Here! Let’s Be Inbox Besties 💌"
7. "First Rule of Our Club: There Are No Rules…Except Enjoying This Email"
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Re-Engagement Emails That Bring a Smile
1. "We Miss You! Is It Something We Said? 😢"
2. "Still Here? Let’s Catch Up Like Old Times 😊"
3. "Come Back! We Saved Your Spot 🪑"
4. "Knock Knock...Who’s There? Your Favorite Emails!"
5. "Let’s Reignite the Spark, Shall We? ✨"
6. "Long Time, No Click! Let’s Fix That 😉"
7. "You’ve Been Gone So Long, We Made a Missing Poster! 🕵️"
8. "Remember Us? We Remember You (And We Have Treats!) 🍪"
A good laugh is often the best way to leave a lasting impression through email.
Funny Subject Lines for Sales Promotions
1. "Prices So Low, Even Our Calculator Is Confused 🤯"
2. "This Sale Is Bananas… Literally! 🍌"
3. "Your Wallet Will Thank You (And So Will We!) 💸"
4. "Act Fast—These Deals Are Faster Than Your Wi-Fi!"
5. "We Can’t Believe We’re Giving These Discounts Either 😅"
6. "Warning: These Deals May Cause Happy Dancing 🕺💃"
7. "Buy Now or Blame Yourself Later...Just Saying 😜"
8. "Our Deals Are So Good, Even Your Cat Would Approve 🐾"
Follow-Up Emails That Add a Touch of Humor
1. "Just Popping Back In...Did You Miss Me?"
2. "This Is Your Reminder: We’re Still Awesome 😉"
3. "Not to Be Pushy, But This Email Deserves a Click!"
4. "Back Again! Like a Boomerang, But Better ✨"
5. "Following Up...Because Persistence Is Key (and We’re Funny!)"
Lighthearted Emails for Your Team or Colleagues
1. "Breaking News: The Coffee Machine Is Finally Fixed ☕"
2. "Friday Fun: Let’s All Pretend We’re Working 😂"
3. "Quick Question: Who Ate the Last Donut? 🍩"
4. "Surprise! Mandatory Fun Meeting (Just Kidding…Sort Of)"
5. "Team Update: You’re All Doing Amazing, Sweetie! 💼"
Cart Abandonment Emails with a Playful Twist
1. "Oops! Did You Forget Something? 🛒"
2. "Your Cart Misses You (And So Do We) ❤️"
3. "Psst...Your Items Are Getting Lonely in the Cart!"
4. "Come Back! We’ve Saved Your Cart (And Maybe a Surprise 🎁)"
5. "Abandoned Cart? Let’s Turn That Frown Upside Down! 😊"
Seasonal Emails with Simple, Funny Subject Lines
1. "Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice: Fall Deals Are Here 🎃"
2. "Santa Called—He Said You Deserve This 🎅"
3. "Spring Cleaning? Start with Your Shopping Cart! 🌸"
4. "Sweater Weather = Shopping Weather! 🧣"
5. "Hot Deals for the Cold Days ☃️"
6. "It’s Summer Somewhere—And So Are the Sales! 🌴"
7. "New Year, Same Inbox? Let’s Make It Fun 🎉"
Examples of Funny and Great Subject Lines Used by Brands
Creating a funny great subject line can be a fantastic way to grab attention in a crowded inbox. Brands often use humor to make their communications memorable, relatable, and engaging. Here are a few examples that showcase different types of humor:
1. Warby Parker: "Pairs nicely with spreadsheets" - Playing on the idea that their glasses aren't just for looking good, but for working hard too.
2. Chubbies: "👖 = 😴? We Thought So." - Using emojis creatively to suggest that their shorts are as comfortable as pajamas.
3. Taco Bell: "We're not saying you should ditch work, but we're not not saying it either..." - A playful nudge that suggests enjoying a meal at Taco Bell as good example of a fun escape.
4. BarkBox: "Yes, I'm a dog. And I ate your email." - Speaking from a dog's perspective to engage subscribers with their dog-themed subscription service.
5. The Hustle: "Look what you did, you little jerk…" - A humorous reference to the holiday classic movie "Home Alone," likely used to address a mistake or a mischievous fact shared in the email body content.
6. Bonobos: "Pants so comfortable, you'll swear you're naked" - Highlighting the comfort of their clothing in a cheeky way.
7. OpenTable: "Licking your phone never tasted so good" - Captivating the reader's curiosity about their app or featured restaurants with a quirky statement.
8. Threadless: "NEW! Clothes you’ll want to wear outside your house." - A humorous nod to the comfort-focused fashion trends, especially relevant during times when most people still may be staying home more.
9. UncommonGoods: "Don't wear last year's costume again" - A funny reminder for those who procrastinate on buying Halloween costumes.
10. Airbnb: "Forget your pants? It's that kind of trip." - Using humor to promote their more relaxed, homely accommodation options.
Dad Jokes for Your Inbox: A Little Something to Make Readers Smile
1. "Why Did the Email Cross the Road? To Land in Your Inbox!"
2. "I Told a Joke About a Roof…It Went Over Their Heads 🏠"
3. "What’s an Email’s Favorite Exercise? The Click-Up! 💪"
4. "This Email Is Pun-Stop-Able! Open for Laughs 😂"
5. "Why Don’t Skeletons Send Emails? They Don’t Have the Guts 💀"
6. "Warning: This Email Is Packed with Dad Jokes. Proceed with Caution!"
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Key Elements of a Funny Subject Line for Email
A well-crafted, humorous subject line can make the difference between an email that's opened and read or one that's overlooked.
Let’s delve into the key elements that make a subject line not only funny but also compelling enough to click.
1. Relevance and Timeliness
- Connect with Current Events or Seasons: Aligning your humor with recent events, holidays, or seasons can increase relevance and engagement. For example, during tax season, a subject line like "Even Your Inbox Deserves a Refund!" can garner smiles and clicks.
- Leveraging the current zeitgeist makes your message feel more immediate and connected to the reader's world, increasing the likelihood they'll engage.
2. Wordplay and Puns
- Creative Use of Language: Puns or playful twists on phrases can capture attention. A classic example is "We’re Not Kitten, This Sale is Purr-fect!" for a pet store promotion.
- Wordplay requires a moment of mental engagement, which, when resolved, delivers a small dopamine rush along with the humor, making your email memorable.
3. Personalization
- Incorporate the Recipient's Name or Interests: Subject lines that speak directly to the recipient can stand out. "Alex, Your Next Adventure Awaits!" can intrigue and feel personalized if you're in the travel industry.
- Personalization makes the email feel like it was crafted just for the recipient, increasing the value of the humor and the overall message.
4. Brevity and Clarity
- Keep It Short and Sweet: Email subject lines have limited space, and mobile devices display even fewer characters. A succinct subject like "Sale So Big, It's Scary!" is direct and humorous.
- Short, clear messages are easier for readers to digest quickly, making them more effective in grabbing attention.
5. Surprise and Originality
- Offer an Unexpected Twist: Surprise your audience with a subject line that turns expectations on their head. "This Email is Calorie-Free!" for a food-related promotion can elicit a chuckle.
- Humans are wired to notice and remember the unusual. A surprise in the subject line makes your email stand out from the predictable.
6. Testing and Optimization
- A/B Test Your Subject Lines: Not all humor lands the same with every audience. Testing different humorous lines to see which performs better can guide your strategy.
- Collect and Analyze Data: Use open rates, click-through rates, and engagement metrics to understand what works. This feedback loop is crucial for refining your approach.
Why Humor Works
Incorporating humor into your email subject lines can make your brand feel more human, relatable, and engaging. A funny subject line not only has the potential to increase open rates but also can positively affect the perception of your brand. Humor can break down barriers, making your message more welcoming and creating a positive first impression that encourages readers to engage with the content.
How to Implement
Start with understanding your audience deeply – what do they find funny? From there, experiment with different types of humor, from puns to cultural references, ensuring they align with your brand voice. Always keep the joke message relevant to the content of the email to ensure coherence. Remember, the goal is to entertain and then inform, creating a memorable interaction with your brand.
Best Practices for Email Subject Lines
1. Know Your Audience
Understanding your audience is the first step to writing email subject lines that resonate. What makes them click? What kind of sense of humor or tone do they appreciate? Emails tailored to your audience's preferences are 26% more likely to be opened (Campaign Monitor).
How to do it:
- Research your audience’s age, profession, and interests. Adding a personal touch, such as the recipient's name, makes funny subject lines even more engaging
- Use tools like surveys or analytics to gather data on what engages them.
- Adjust your tone for specific groups. For example:
- Professionals: Keep it witty but professional. Example: "Meetings Cancelled? Just Kidding!"
- Students: Add fun and energy. Example: "Homework? Let’s Procrastinate Together!"
2. Use Emojis Sparingly
Emojis can enhance email visibility, but too many can hurt your credibility. A single emoji can add a personal, fun touch while keeping the subject line clear.
Emails with one emoji can increase open rates by up to 56%, but excessive emojis reduce effectiveness (Emarsys).
How to do it:
- Stick to one emoji that fits your message. Example: "Weekend Plans? 🎉"
- Avoid emoji overload, which can make emails look spammy.
- Test emoji performance on your audience:
- Playful brands: Use emojis to match tone. Example: 😊 or 🍕.
- Formal brands: Use minimal or no emojis for a professional tone.
3. Be Short, Sweet, and Relevant
Long subject lines can be boring. People check their emails quickly and won’t read long ones. That’s why you should keep your subject lines short and clear.
What to do:
- Use 6-10 words only. For example: "Big Sale Today! 🎉"
- Add a funny twist to make people smile. Example: "Forget Pants, Shop Now!"
How to test relevance:
- Ensure your subject matches the email content.
- Include keywords that grab attention, like "funny," "deal," or "joke."
4. A/B Test Your Subject Lines
Not all funny subject lines will work for your audience. Testing helps you find out what clicks best. A/B testing is a surefire way to compare two subject lines by sending each to a small group of your audience. The one that gets more opens is sent to everyone else.
Testing shows which humor resonates with your readers. It increases open rates and helps refine your strategy.
How to do it:
- Create two versions of a subject line. Example:
- Version A: "Laugh Out Loud Deals!"
- Version B: "Deals So Good, You’ll LOL!"
- Use email marketing tools like Mailchimp to measure results.
5. Stay Brand-Appropriate
Your subject lines should match your brand’s personality. A funny subject line is great, but it has to fit your tone.
A mismatch confuses readers and lowers trust in humorous content. For example, a serious finance brand shouldn’t use over-the-top humor.
What to do:
- Keep your humor subtle for professional audiences. Example: "Save Money? That’s Serious Business."
- Use bolder jokes for casual brands. Example: "Pizza So Good, You’ll Forget Your Diet!"
- Always align with your target audience’s expectations.
6. Avoid Forced Humor
Humor is a powerful tool, but only when it feels natural. Forced humor can come across as awkward or even offensive, which might turn readers away.
What to do:
- Test your subject line with colleagues or friends. Ask if it feels funny or forced.
- Use humor that matches your brand identity. For example, a brand targeting business professionals might use subtle humor like "Finally, an Email Worth Opening!"
- Avoid using jokes that rely on inside knowledge or niche references unless your audience is highly specific.
7. Monitor Performance
After sending your emails, you need to know if they worked. Did your funny subject lines grab attention? Monitoring performance helps you learn and improve.
What to do:
- Track your open rates using email marketing tools like Mailchimp or Constant Contact. Aim for open rates above 20%, which is the industry average.
- Check click-through rates (CTR) to see if readers are engaging with your content.
- Analyze which subject lines performed best. For example:
- "Oops! We Left You a Surprise 🎉" may outperform "Big Discounts Inside!"
- Make changes based on the data. If certain humor types work better, stick to them.
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Pro Tips to Write Subject Lines that Match Your Brand Identity
1. Stay True to Your Brand Voice
Your subject lines should reflect your brand’s personality. Are you formal, funny, or somewhere in between?
What to do:
- Use language your audience expects from you. For example, a tech company might use, “Tech Deals You Can’t Miss!”
- A playful brand could say, “Oops! Did We Forget Your Discount?”
- Stick to the tone you use in all your communication, so your emails feel consistent.
2. Highlight What Sets You Apart
Your brand is unique, and your subject lines should show it. Let people know why they should open your email.
What to do:
- Mention something special about your product or service. Example: “Glasses So Comfy, You’ll Forget You’re Wearing Them!”
- Use humor to grab attention. Example: “Pizza That Pairs Nicely with Pajamas 🍕”
3. Incorporate Brand-Specific Keywords or Phrases
Using words and phrases that your customers recognize strengthens your message. It also makes your emails feel more personal.
What to do:
- Add words your audience associates with your brand. For example, a fitness brand might use, “Stronger You, Starting Today 💪”
- If you use funny phrases often, include them. Example: “Sweatpants Season? Yes, Please!”
- Keep the keywords natural. Avoid cramming too many into one line.
4. Adapt to Seasonal and Cultural Relevance
Your email subject line and lines should align with the time of year or trending topics. People love content that feels timely and relatable.
What to do:
- Use holidays or seasons to inspire your subject lines. For example:
- Valentine’s Day: "Your Heart Deserves This Deal ❤️"
- Summer: "Beat the Heat with These Cool Savings!"
- Tie into cultural events. For instance:
- “Breaking News: Your New Favorite Product Just Landed!”
- A sports brand during the Olympics might say, “Gold Medal Savings Await You!”
5. Maintain Consistency Across Channels
Your subject lines should match your brand’s tone across all platforms. If your website is serious, your emails shouldn’t suddenly be playful.
What to do:
- Keep your voice consistent. For example:
- A luxury brand might use, “Exquisite Offers Await You.”
- A fun brand could say, “Oops, We Dropped Another Deal!”
- Match the tone of your social media. If you’re formal on LinkedIn, avoid overly casual subject lines in your emails.
Do's and Don'ts For Funny Email Subject Line
Concluding Thoughts
In wrapping up our guide, it's clear that humor is more than just what tickles the funny bone—it's a strategic asset in your email marketing efforts. A well-placed joke or a clever opening line can significantly lift your open rates, highlighting the importance of balancing wit with professionalism. This not only ensures your emails stand out but also resonate with your brand's voice and audience's preferences.
Crafting funny email subject lines is not just about making recipients laugh; it's about creating a memorable connection that encourages them to engage with your content. The right humorous touch in your opening subject line can transform an ordinary email into a standout message in a crowded inbox.
Remember, the ultimate goal is to connect on a human level, making each email a bridge to deeper engagement. Let humor lead the way to more meaningful interactions and watch as it opens doors to not only higher open rates but also a stronger relationship with your audience.