The one-sentence version#
Accessible email design ensures messages render and can be read across clients and by people using screen readers or high contrast: semantic HTML, alt text, sufficient contrast, readable font sizes, and a logical reading order.
Why you should care#
Broken rendering and inaccessible layouts lower engagement and, in some jurisdictions, create legal exposure.
The mental model#
Think of email design and accessibility as a contract between you and the mailbox providers receiving your mail. You publish or configure something they can check; they check it on every message; the result feeds their decision about where your message lands. Everything below is about making that check pass consistently.
Your first setup, step by step#
- Use a single-column layout that reflows on mobile.
- Set alt text on every meaningful image and empty alt on decorative ones.
- Maintain 4.5:1 contrast and at least 16px body text.
- Include a plain-text alternative and test in dark mode.
Words you will see#
- Mailbox provider: Gmail, Microsoft, Yahoo, Apple, and the corporate gateways that decide where mail lands.
- Authentication: proof that a message is from who it says it is (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
- Reputation: the provider's running score of your domain and IP.
- Placement: whether a message reaches the inbox, spam, or is rejected.
Common mistakes#
- Text embedded in images with no alt.
- Tiny grey text on light backgrounds.
Frequently asked questions#
Does dark mode change email colors?
Some clients invert or adjust colors. Test in Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail dark modes and use transparent PNGs where possible.