{"id":101135,"date":"2026-10-13T11:36:37","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T11:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailrelay.com\/glossary\/accessible-email\/"},"modified":"2026-10-13T11:36:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T11:36:39","slug":"accessible-email","status":"publish","type":"glossary","link":"https:\/\/mailrelay.com\/en\/glossary\/accessible-email\/","title":{"rendered":"Accessible email"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An accessible email is an email designed so that anyone can read and use it, including people who use a screen reader, have low vision or can’t see the images.<\/strong> Accessibility affects the text, the design and the code of the message.<\/p>\n\n

It’s not a minor technical detail. When an email isn’t accessible, part of your list can’t read the offer or tap the button, even though the message has reached their inbox<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Why does email accessibility matter?<\/h2>\n\n

For three reasons.<\/p>\n\n

The first is reach<\/strong>. According to the World Health Organization, about 1.3 billion people live with a significant disability, around 16% of the world’s population. Then there are people who read in a hurry on their phone, with the sun in their eyes or with images blocked.<\/p>\n\n

The second is results<\/strong>. A clear email with good contrast and a large button<\/a> works better for all readers, not just for those who use assistive technologies.<\/p>\n\n

The third is the law<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

What does the law say about accessible emails?<\/h2>\n\n

Since 28 June 2025<\/strong>, Law 11\/2023 has applied in Spain. It transposes Directive (EU) 2019\/882, known as the European Accessibility Act<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n

The law requires certain products and services to be accessible, including e-commerce<\/a> services<\/strong> and consumer banking.<\/p>\n\n

The law doesn’t mention email marketing as such.<\/p>\n\n

But if you sell online, the emails that are part of the service (order confirmations<\/a>, invoices, shipping notifications) are part of the shopping experience. The sensible approach is for them to meet the same criteria as your website.<\/p>\n\n

The Directive exempts microenterprises that provide services, although applying these guidelines is still good practice.<\/p>\n\n

The usual technical reference is the W3C’s WCAG<\/strong> (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), at level AA.<\/p>\n\n

How do you make an accessible email? 10-point checklist<\/h2>\n\n
\"Accessible<\/figure>\n\n
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  1. Alternative text<\/a> on images.<\/strong> Describe what each image adds; leave the alt<\/em> empty on decorative ones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. No important text inside an image.<\/strong> If the image doesn’t load, the message disappears.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Sufficient contrast.<\/strong> WCAG AA requires at least 4.5:1 between text and background for normal text, and 3:1 for large text.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Readable font size:<\/strong> 14-16 px in the email body<\/a> and a simple typeface.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Structure<\/a> with real headings<\/strong>, so the screen reader can jump from one section to another.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Links that make sense on their own.<\/strong> \u201cDownload the pricing guide\u201d instead of \u201cclick here\u201d.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Large buttons that are easy to tap<\/strong> on mobile<\/a>, with real text, not drawn into an image.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. A single column<\/strong> and a logical reading order.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Message language declared<\/strong> in the code, so the screen reader uses the correct pronunciation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Color isn’t the only cue.<\/strong> If you mark something in red, also add a word or an icon.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

    Before sending, try reading the email with images turned off. If it makes sense, you’re on the right track.<\/p>\n\n

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    Design clear emails with Mailrelay<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Templates and a drag-and-drop editor to create emails with real text and large buttons. Free up to 80,000 emails a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Create a free account<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

    Common mistakes that make an email inaccessible<\/h2>\n\n

    The most common is the email made from a single image<\/strong>: it looks nice on screen, but it’s empty for a screen reader and for anyone who blocks images.<\/p>\n\n

    \"Accessible<\/figure>\n\n

    Next come light gray text on a white background, emojis<\/a> used instead of words, and links that say \u201chere\u201d or \u201cmore\u201d.<\/p>\n\n

    Subject lines<\/a> full of symbols don’t help either: the screen reader reads them out one by one.<\/p>\n\n

    How to create accessible emails with Mailrelay<\/h2>\n\n

    With Mailrelay’s drag-and-drop editor<\/a>, you lay out the email with text, image and button blocks, without writing code. This makes it easier to keep text as real text rather than an image.<\/p>\n\n

    Start from a simple email template<\/a>. Adjust your brand colors while checking the contrast, and send yourself a test before each campaign.<\/p>\n\n

    If you’re torn between two designs, an A\/B test<\/a> will tell you which one works better.<\/p>\n\n

    With the free account, you get up to 80,000 emails a month and support via chat, ticket and phone.<\/p>\n\n

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    Send newsletters that everyone can read<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Visual editor, A\/B testing and real-time reports, with expert support on every account. Start free with 20,000 contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Try Mailrelay for free<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

    Frequently asked questions about accessible email<\/h2>\n\n

    These are the most common questions about email accessibility.<\/p>\n\n

    Is it mandatory for emails to be accessible?<\/h3>\n\n

    Since 28 June 2025, Law 11\/2023 has required certain services, such as e-commerce, to be accessible. There’s no explicit obligation for marketing emails, but applying the WCAG guidelines is recommended.<\/p>\n\n

    What is an image’s alternative text?<\/h3>\n\n

    It’s a short description that the screen reader reads aloud and that appears when the image doesn’t load. In HTML, it’s the alt<\/em> attribute.<\/p>\n\n

    How do I check color contrast?<\/h3>\n\n

    With a free WCAG contrast checker: you enter the text color and the background color, and it tells you whether it meets level AA (4.5:1).<\/p>\n\n

    Does an accessible email have less design?<\/h3>\n\n

    No. It can include images, colors and icons. The difference is that the information and the buttons don’t depend on them.<\/p>\n\n

    Related entries<\/h2>\n\n