Summary
Gmail's email clipping, which occurs when messages exceed 102KB, is primarily governed by the size of the HTML code, excluding linked images and external CSS files. While the HTML size is the primary factor, sender reputation and user engagement also influence clipping behavior; trusted senders with high engagement might bypass the limit. All HTML elements, including text, tags, inline CSS, comments, and tracking pixels, contribute to the HTML size. Rendering can vary due to user settings, ESP configurations, and IP addresses. To prevent clipping, optimize HTML by minifying code, avoiding nested tables, and using CSS for layout. Prioritize important content before the 102KB threshold, test emails in Gmail, and maintain a positive sender reputation.
Key findings
- HTML Size Matters Most: The 102KB clipping limit applies specifically to the HTML code size of the email.
- Sender Reputation Influences: Gmail trusts reputable senders, potentially allowing emails to exceed the 102KB limit without clipping.
- All HTML Elements Count: Text, HTML tags, inline CSS, comments, and tracking pixels all contribute to the overall HTML size.
- Outlook Differs: Outlook's reported email size includes images, while Gmail focuses solely on the HTML.
- User/ESP Settings Matter: Individual user settings, ESP configurations, and IP addresses can affect how emails are rendered, potentially affecting clipping.
Key considerations
- Optimize HTML Code: Minimize and streamline HTML code by removing unnecessary elements, minifying CSS, and avoiding nested tables.
- Prioritize Key Content: Ensure the most important information appears before the 102KB threshold.
- Test Emails Thoroughly: Test emails in various Gmail accounts and on different devices to identify clipping issues.
- Maintain Sender Reputation: Focus on building and maintaining a positive sender reputation to improve deliverability and reduce clipping.
- Use CSS for Layout: Use CSS for structuring and styling emails rather than relying on complex HTML tables.
- Check HTML Size: Utilize tools like Litmus or Email on Acid to analyze and check the HTML size of your emails accurately.
What email marketers say
13 marketer opinions
Gmail's email clipping behavior, which occurs when messages exceed 102KB, is primarily determined by the size of the HTML code, not the total email size including images. However, sender reputation, user engagement, and email content also influence clipping. Emails from trusted senders with high engagement may not be clipped, even if over the size limit. To prevent clipping, focus on optimizing HTML by minifying CSS and HTML, removing unnecessary code, avoiding nested tables, and optimizing images. Testing emails in Gmail before sending to a large audience is crucial.
Key opinions
- HTML Size Matters: Gmail's 102KB clipping limit refers to the HTML code size, not the total email size.
- Sender Reputation: A strong sender reputation and high user engagement can reduce the likelihood of clipping, even with larger emails.
- Outlook Displays Resolved Size: Outlook's reported email size includes downloaded images, unlike Gmail's HTML-only calculation.
- Images Don't Count (Directly): Image sizes don't directly contribute to the HTML size limit, but optimizing images improves loading times and the user experience.
Key considerations
- Optimize HTML: Minify CSS and HTML, remove unnecessary code, avoid nested tables, and optimize images to reduce HTML size.
- Check HTML Size: Use tools like Litmus or Email on Acid to analyze the HTML size accurately.
- Testing is Essential: Test emails in Gmail before sending to a large audience to identify and fix clipping issues.
- Reputation Management: Maintain a good sender reputation and encourage user engagement to minimize clipping.
- In-line CSS: Using inline CSS can bloat your HTML. Consider using a mix of embedded and inline CSS.
Marketer view
Marketer from Email Geeks confirms calculation only takes HTML into consideration. States no background on the reputation stuff.
27 Jan 2023 - Email Geeks
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit explains that sometimes the inclusion of tracking pixels or complex HTML tables can contribute to the overall size of the email. Simplifying the design and minimizing the use of tracking pixels can help prevent clipping.
31 Jul 2023 - Reddit
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Gmail's email clipping behavior, occurring when emails exceed 102KB, primarily depends on the HTML size, not the total size inclusive of images. A sender's reputation significantly influences clipping; reputable senders may bypass the limit. Individual user settings or Email Service Provider (ESP) configurations can also affect clipping behavior due to varying rendering conditions based on IP addresses and delivery paths.
Key opinions
- HTML Size is Key: The 102KB limit applies specifically to the HTML size of the email.
- Sender Reputation Matters: Gmail trusts reputable senders, potentially allowing them to exceed the clipping limit.
- Rendering Can Vary: Individual user settings and ESP configurations can impact email rendering, including clipping.
Key considerations
- Optimize HTML Code: Ensure your HTML code is as efficient as possible to stay within the 102KB limit.
- Maintain a Good Reputation: Work to maintain a positive sender reputation to increase the chances of bypassing the clipping limit.
- Consider User Settings: Be aware that users' settings and ESP configurations can impact how emails are rendered and whether they're clipped.
Expert view
Expert from SpamResource explains that Gmail's clipping behavior can be influenced by sender reputation. A sender with a strong reputation may have emails exceeding 102KB not clipped, while a sender with a poor reputation may experience clipping even for smaller emails. This is because Gmail trusts emails coming from reputable sources.
12 Feb 2025 - SpamResource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains the reasons emails render differently are many. Your IP is one aspect that will impact the delivery path the email takes to the inbox. Also the user or ESP can be an aspect in what happens to an email. In terms of clipping it is likely a user may have settings on their side to enable or disable the clipping.
10 Oct 2022 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Gmail's clipping of emails over 102KB is based solely on the HTML code size, excluding linked images or external CSS. All HTML elements like text, tags, inline CSS, comments and tracking pixels contribute to this size. Gmail may decide to clip emails past this limit if the content is deemed less important. Priority should be given to important content before the 102KB threshold.
Key findings
- HTML Size Matters: Gmail's 102KB limit is determined by the HTML code size.
- External Elements Excluded: Linked images and external CSS do not contribute to the HTML size calculation.
- All HTML Counts: Text, HTML tags, inline CSS, comments, and tracking pixels all add to the HTML code size.
- Content Priority: Gmail might clip less important content after the 102KB limit.
Key considerations
- Prioritize Content: Place the most critical content before the 102KB mark.
- Optimize HTML: Minimize HTML code size to stay within the 102KB limit.
- Consider All HTML Elements: Be mindful that all HTML elements, including comments and tracking pixels, impact the size.
Technical article
Documentation from Mailchimp explains Gmail checks the complete HTML code size. Elements that add to it include: text, HTML tags, inline CSS, comments, and tracking pixels.
12 Jul 2021 - Mailchimp
Technical article
Documentation from Litmus shares that Gmail specifically looks at the HTML body of the email when determining whether to clip a message. External CSS files or linked images do not contribute to the HTML size.
13 Oct 2024 - Litmus
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