100+ Funny Email Subject Lines to Make Your Audience LOL and Click

Let’s be real—your subject line is either getting the click or getting ignored. In fact, 47% of people open emails based solely on the subject line (OptinMonster, 2024).

If you're tired of sounding generic or just want to make your readers laugh before they even open the email, you're in the right place.

This guide gives you 100+ funny email subject lines that actually work—whether you’re sending sales promos, cold emails, or monthly newsletters.

We’ve included real examples, best practices, and tested humor styles so you can entertain, connect, and boost those open rates with confidence.

What Makes Funny Email Subject Lines Work?

Funny email subject lines work because they grab attention fast. Inboxes are crowded. A subject line that makes someone smile stands out. According to Campaign Monitor, emails with funny or lighthearted subject lines can increase open rates by up to 26%.

Want an eye-catching subject line? Humor helps every time.

Here’s why they work so well:

• They create curiosity: People want to know what’s inside.
• They spark positive emotions: A laugh can lead to a click.
• They match your brand voice: Good humor feels personal.
• They boost email marketing efforts: More opens = better results.
• They pair nicely with newsletters, sales promotions, and even cold emails.

Tip: Keep it short. Most great subject lines are under 9 words.

“If it makes you smile, it’s already doing a better job than 90% of subject lines.” – MarketingProfs, 2024

A good retargeting email subject line often uses humor and relevance to draw people back—something like, “Hey, we noticed you noticing us 👀.”

What Do Great Subject Lines Have in Common?

Great subject lines—especially funny email subject lines—get people to open your email. They’re short, clear, and make people curious.

Studies show that subject lines under 50 characters can increase open rates by 12% (HubSpot, 2024). Want to write your best email subject lines yet? Start with these basics:

• Be specific: Vague subject lines don’t perform well.
• Make people smile: Use a funny twist or playful tone.
• Keep it simple: A straightforward email subject line still works.
• Match your brand voice: Don’t be funny just to be funny.
• Use preview text: It pairs nicely with the subject line.

Witty email subject lines often rely on surprise or contrast—they say one thing, then twist it just enough to spark a smile.

Funny Subject Lines That Instantly Grab Attention

Work Edition: Funny Email Subject Lines for Coworkers and Professional Emails

1. "Let’s Circle Back to That Thing We Never Circled Forward ⭕️"

2. "This Email Has No Action Items (You're Welcome)"

3. "Reminder: Coffee Is Not a Personality Trait ☕"

4. "We Survived Another Monday — Barely"

5. "Quick Chat? (Don’t Worry, It’s Not About Your Timesheet)"

6. "Your Favorite Coworker Sent This (It’s Me)"

7. "This Meeting Could Have Been an Email… but Here We Are"

8. "URGENT: Someone Ate Your Lunch (Just Kidding… Maybe)"

9. "Permission to Slack Off? (We Mean Use Slack)"

10. "Congrats! You Opened Another Email That Isn’t a Promotion 🎉"

Campaign Gold: Funny Email Subject Lines for Sales Promotions & Product Launches

1. "Our Prices Just Got Lower Than Your Monday Motivation"

2. "This Deal Is So Good, Even Your Boss Might Approve"

3. "We Put the 'Pro' in Procrastinate—Shop Before It Ends!"

4. "No Cap… This Promo Slaps 🎯"

5. "Warning: Clicking May Lead to Epic Deals and Happiness"

6. "Still Thinking? So Are We (About That Extra Cheese)"

7. "BREAKING NEWS: This Offer Might Break the Internet"

8. "Your Inbox Called. It Wants These Deals."

9. "Buy Now or Regret Later (We’ll Be Dramatic About It)"

10. "We Could Tell You to Save Money… But We’d Rather Yell: SALE!"

Seasonal LOLs: Hilarious Subject Lines for Holiday & Monthly Newsletter Emails

1. "Pumpkin Spice and Email Advice 🎃"

2. "New Year, Same Inbox… But Funnier"

3. "Valentine’s Day Sale: Fall in Love with Lower Prices 💘"

4. "April Fools? Nope, These Deals Are Real 😏"

5. "You’re on the Nice List—Here’s 20% Off 🎁"

6. "Monthly Update: Still No Time Travel, But Some Cool Stuff"

7. "Fourth of July? More Like Fourth of Ju-Laughs 🇺🇸"

8. "Santa Said Open This (We Swear It’s Not Spam)"

9. "Bye Bye Boring Emails — It’s Holiday Season!"

10. "Your Monthly LOL: What’s Hotter Than Summer? These Deals 🔥"

For seasonal emails, humor like “New Year, New Spam? Just Kidding. We’re Great.” does an excellent job of making recipients open in a good mood.

Witty & Straightforward: Subject Lines That Strike the Right Balance

1. "Yes, This Email Is About You (And It’s Good News)"

Looking to improve your email communication? Check out these effective alternatives to "Looking forward to hearing from you" to help encourage better responses.

2. "We Made Something Cool. You Might Like It."

3. "No Gimmicks. Just a Really Great Deal."

4. "We’re Not Saying You Need This… But You Do."

5. "You’ve Got Mail… And It’s Not Boring."

6. "This Isn’t a Drill: Stuff’s Selling Fast!"

7. "Don’t Overthink It. Just Open."

8. "Because Straightforward Email Subject Lines Still Work."

9. "Spoiler: The Discount Is Inside."

10. "You’re Busy. So We’ll Keep This Quick."

Cold Emails & Re-Engagement Emails with Humor That Actually Work

1. "Is This Thing On? 👋"

2. "Still Thinking About You… and That Unread Email"

3. "We Miss You More Than Coffee on Monday"

4. "This Email Has Been Patient. You Haven’t."

5. "You Ghosted Us—But We’re Not Mad (Yet)"

6. "Last Time We Reached Out, TikTok Was Still Cool"

7. "Open This Before We Start Crying (Again)"

8. "Still in There? Tap Once for Yes"

9. "Inbox Plot Twist: We’re Still Here."

10. "Can We Make It Up to You? We Brought Deals 🎁"

An attention grabbing subject line can be as simple as “Don’t panic—but open this email now.” Humor helps activate your reader’s funny bone fast.

More Funny Subject Lines Categorized by Theme

Dad Jokes That Deserve a Spot in Your Inbox

1. "I only know 25 letters of the alphabet... I don’t know y."
2. "Did you hear about the claustrophobic astronaut? He needed a little space."
3. "Want to hear a joke about construction? We’re still working on it."
4. "I used to be a banker... but I lost interest."
5. "I only tell jokes during meetings. It’s called ‘PowerPointless.’"
6. "Why don’t eggs tell jokes? They’d crack each other up."
7. "I'm reading a book on anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down."
8. "No one buys calendars anymore... their days are numbered."
9. "Why did the email go to therapy? It had too many issues."
10. "Our products are like dad jokes: slightly embarrassing, extremely effective."

Follow up emails with light jokes like “Just checking in (like a clingy ex 🤷)” often encourage recipients to reply.

Drink Beer and Other Party-Themed Zingers

1. "Buy 2 Beers, Regret Nothing 🍻"
2. "We Bring the Brew, You Bring the Clicks"
3. "This Weekend’s Forecast? 100% Chance of Happy Hour"
4. "Beer Today, Gone Tomorrow – Don’t Miss Out!"
5. "Sip Happens. Grab a Deal While You Can 🍺"
6. "Keg Stand Not Included (But Everything Else Is)"
7. "Cold Drinks. Hot Deals. Let’s Go."
8. "You Had Me at ‘Let’s Drink’"
9. "This Sale Pairs Well with Beer and Bad Decisions"
10. "Open This Email. Then Open a Cold One."

A subject line with an unexpected twist—like “Open This or No Beer For You 🍻”—makes emails stand out even in busy inboxes.

Breaking News–Style Humor That Grabs Attention

1. "📰 BREAKING: Your Cart Is Still Crying Alone"
2. "🚨 ALERT: Deals Hotter Than Your Morning Coffee"
3. "EXCLUSIVE: You’ve Been Chosen to Save 20%"
4. "BREAKING NEWS: Your Inbox Just Got Cooler"
5. "UPDATE: This Offer Ends When Pigs Fly (Or Midnight)"
6. "Live From HQ: You’re Gonna Want to Open This"
7. "BREAKING: The Best Email You’ll Read All Day"
8. "🗞️ This Just In: You’re Missing Out (But Not for Long)"
9. "Official Sources Confirm: You’re Amazing (and There’s a Deal Inside)"
10. "BREAKING: Your First Purchase Deserves a Treat 🎁"

Food Puns That Always Work (Extra Cheese Included)

1. "You’re the Cheese to Our Cracker 🧀"
2. "Lettuce Celebrate: It’s Deal Time! 🥬"
3. "We’re Nacho Average Newsletter 🌮"
4. "Olive You… and These Discounts 🫒"
5. "Life’s Gouda When You Click Here"
6. "Don’t Go Bacon My Heart 🥓 (Unless You’re Hungry)"
7. "We Have a Pizza Your Inbox 🍕"
8. "Time to Ketchup—You’ve Missed a Few Emails 🍅"
9. "Too Gouda to Be True? Click to Find Out."
10. "It’s Fry-Day: Let’s Taco ’Bout These Deals!"

Funny Subject Lines That Pair Nicely With Your Brand Voice

1. For a Bold DTC Brand: "You Look Like You Need a Little Retail Therapy 😎"
2. For a Clean, Minimalist Brand: "This Email Is 100% Gluten-Free"
3. For a Quirky Food Brand: "Lettuce Catch Up—We’ve Got Deals 🥬"
4. For a Professional SaaS Company: "We Automated This Email So You Can Read It 2X Faster"
5. For a Hip Gen Z Apparel Brand: "This Fit? Certified Fire 🔥 (Open to See)"
6. For a Home Decor Brand: "Warning: Our Pillows May Cause Excessive Napping"
7. For a Fitness/Health Brand: "Open This and Burn 0.3 Calories Instantly"
8. For an Eco-Friendly Brand: "Recycling Emails Since 2023 ♻️ (But This One’s New!)"
9. For a Fintech Startup: "Our Savings Plan: Step 1, Open This Email 💸"
10. For a Beauty Brand: "This Lipstick Shade? 97% Open Rate Worthy 💋"

Pairing humor with brand clarity helps your email cross from clever to clickable—especially when you use humorous content that’s timely and audience-aware.

“Bye Bye” Emails with a Funny Twist

1. "Bye Bye 👋 But Not Forever (We Hope)"
2. "This Is Our Last Email… Unless You Say Otherwise 👀"
3. "Unsubscribing Feels Like a Breakup (But We’ll Survive)"
4. "We’ll Just Leave This Discount Here Before We Go…"
5. "Goodbye Deals, Hello Regret 😢"
6. "This Isn’t Goodbye. It’s Just an Email Break 💔"
7. "This Email Will Self-Destruct in 3… 2… 1…"
8. "You’re Breaking Up With Us? At Least Take 10% Off First"
9. "Is This the End… or Just a New Beginning (With Fewer Emails)?"
10. "Bye Bye Inbox Space. We Won’t Take It Personally."

Check out even more breakup email subject lines and tips.

Just a Few Examples That Went Viral

1. "This Email Got a 74% Open Rate (Seriously)"
2. "Our CEO Said 'Don’t Send This'… So We Did"
3. "We Regret Nothing (Except Not Sending This Sooner)"
4. "The Meme Email That Crashed Our Servers 😂"
5. "Customers Were Screaming Over This Deal"
6. "We Sent This to 100,000 People… Here’s What Happened"
7. "This Subject Line Got 1,200 Replies 😳"
8. "Open This and Regret Nothing"
9. "Oops… We Sent the Wrong Discount (But It Worked 😅)"
10. "It Started as a Joke. Now It’s Our #1 Campaign."

How to Match Funny Subject Lines with Email Campaign Goals

1. For Sales Promotions: Go Bold, Playful, and Punny

Sales emails can easily get ignored in a crowded inbox. Humor helps grab attention. But it should fit the product and the moment.

Use It When:

• You’re launching a new product.
• You want to announce a big offer.
• You want the recipient to act fast.

Tips:

• Use wordplay that matches your brand voice.
• Add a funny twist about what they’ll get.
• Include urgency with emotional connection or epic deals.

Examples:

• “Pizza Party in Your Cart 🍕 (Just Add Cheese)”
• “Last Chance to Save Money (And Look Cool Doing It)”

2. For Cold Emails: Use Humor to Disarm, Not Sell

Cold emails are tricky. Most people delete them. But a light joke can help you feel more human.

Use It When:

• Reaching someone for the first time.
• You want to start a conversation.
• You’re offering a service or intro.

Tips:

• Be relatable, not salesy.
• Avoid making jokes about their company name or job.
• Keep it simple. Aim to capture attention.

Examples:

• “I Promise This Isn’t a Cold Email (Okay, Maybe It Is...)”
• “Just Us? Or Should I Come Back Later?”

Why it works: Humor breaks tension. It helps form a personal touch that makes your email campaigns more human.

3. For Re-Engagement Campaigns: Add Relatable Humor

If someone stopped opening your emails, it doesn’t mean they’re lost. Re engagement emails work better when you add warmth and wit.

Use It When:

• A subscriber hasn’t opened in 30+ days.
• A past customer hasn’t returned.
• You’re cleaning your list.

Tips:

• Add jokes that connect with daily life.
• Use emojis sparingly in your preview text.
• Remind them why your email deserves their time.

Examples:

• “Was It Something We Said? 😢”
• “Your Inbox Deserves This Comeback Tour!”

Why it works: Funny subject lines help email recipients feel seen, not spammed. They encourage a good laugh, which builds a positive emotion.

Quote to Remember:

“Humor works when it’s intentional, relatable, and respects the audience’s preferences.” – Ann Handley, MarketingProfs

4. For Monthly Newsletters: Keep It Friendly and Familiar

Monthly newsletters should feel like a check-in from a friend. You’re not selling hard. You’re building trust. Funny email subject lines in newsletters should reflect your brand voice and sound warm, not pushy.

How:

Use inside jokes, familiar phrases, or puns your audience knows. Think of lines like:

• “Still not fired. Here’s your monthly update.”
• “Caught you reading emails again.”

Tips to do it right:

• Add a personal touch in your subject line.
• Keep the tone light and the humor clean.
• Try pairing humor with a preview text that adds context.

"A monthly newsletter should feel like coffee with a friend—fun, casual, and worth reading,” says email strategist Jenna Collins.

5. For Product Launches: Tease with Wit and Wonder

A product launch is your moment. Your audience is curious. A funny subject line can help you grab attention fast in a crowded inbox.

How:

Make people smile and create curiosity. Good lines include:

• “We built it. You blinked. It launched.”
• “New product smell not included.”

Here’s what works:

• Use humor to tease the benefit.
• Keep it short—under 60 characters helps improve open rates.
• Match the tone to your product. Don’t overdo it for serious tools.

According to Litmus, product launch emails with witty subject lines showed 11% higher click-through rates in 2024.

6. For Cart Abandonment: Funny Guilt Can Work Wonders

If someone leaves items in their cart, don’t beg. A funny email subject line can bring them back without sounding desperate.

How:

Use humor with a funny twist. Make the reader laugh—then buy.

Examples that work:

• “Your cart is sad. You forgot it again.”
• “Come back! We saved your pizza party gear.”

Do this instead of sounding salesy:

• Mention the product they left with a joke.
• Use positive emotions, not pressure.
• Keep the copy in the email friendly too.

Cart abandonment emails that use humor see up to 18.6% better recovery rates, according to Omnisend (2024 report).

A/B Testing Funny Subject Lines: What Works Best?

1. Test Humor Styles: Pun vs. Sarcasm vs. Absurd

Not all humor lands the same. Some people love puns, others laugh at sarcasm, and a few enjoy weird, absurd jokes. That’s why testing different funny email subject lines is important.

How:

Try this:

• Run one email campaign with a pun (e.g., “Lettuce Celebrate – Salad Sale Inside!”).
• Try sarcasm next (e.g., “Oh Great, Another Deal…”).
• Test absurd humor too (e.g., “Your Pizza Misses You. Extra Cheese is Crying.”).

Use A/B testing tools to send each version to a small group. See which style gets the most opens. This helps you match your brand voice with your audience's preferences.

2. Only Change One Element at a Time

To learn what really works, you must test one thing at a time. Don’t change the whole email subject line and the preview text together. That confuses results.

How:

• Keep the same email content.
• Change just the subject line.
• Use one funny twist in each version.

For example, test “Oops, Did You Forget Something?” vs. “Uh Oh! Your Cart’s Crying.” Both hit on cart abandonment, but one uses guilt and the other uses humor.

This way, you know which type of funny subject line actually grabs attention and performs better.

3. Track the Right Metrics

It’s not just about laughs. You need numbers to see what’s working. Key metrics tell you which subject lines performed well.

How:

Focus on:

• Open rates (who clicked it?)
• Click through rates (who acted?)
• Conversion rates (who bought or signed up?)

Use tools like Mailchimp or HubSpot to check results. Look for patterns in humor style. Did dad jokes do better than absurd humor? Did emails with a preview text showing a pizza party or epic deals win more clicks?

4. Test Safe vs. Risky Humor

Humor comes in many forms. Some are light and safe (like dad jokes). Others are bold or edgy (like sarcastic or dark humor). Each type can make email subject lines stand out — or fall flat.

How:

Try A/B testing two different tones:

• Version A: “Dad forgot the pizza again 🍕” (Safe and silly)
• Version B: “Your inbox deserves better than this... 😂” (Bolder, slightly risky)

Then look at your open rates and click through rates. Did one style get more positive emotions or engages recipients better?

Pro Tip: Use humor that matches your brand voice. A joke that works for a food brand might confuse B2B readers. “Always test before you guess.”

5. Let Data Trump Opinions

Everyone has an opinion on what’s funny. But don’t rely only on what your team finds hilarious.

How:

• Use A/B testing tools in your email marketing platform
• Track metrics like:
  • Open rates
  • Click through rates
  • Conversions
• Test variables like:
  • Funny twist vs. straightforward email subject lines
  • Creating curiosity vs. clear value

As marketing expert Joanna Wiebe says, “Clarity trumps cleverness — until cleverness converts better.”

6. Don’t Ignore the Preview Text

The preview text is what readers see after your subject line in their crowded inbox. It's a chance to add punch or support the joke.

How:

Pair your funny subject lines with preview text that builds curiosity:

• Subject: “This offer’s hotter than your ex’s rebound.”
• Preview: “But unlike them, we won’t ghost you.”

Or use it to make a personal touch:

• Subject: “You left pizza in your cart 🍕”
• Preview: “That extra cheese deserves better.”

Quick Stats: According to Campaign Monitor, emails with optimized preview text can boost open rates by up to 45%.

Subject Line Writing Tips Backed by Data & Emotion

1. Shorter Subject Lines Boost Open Rates

Short is powerful. A recent Mailchimp study showed subject lines under 9 words see higher open rates.

• Why? People scan fast. Long lines get cut off.
• Tip: Keep your subject line simple. Stick to 40–50 characters max.
• Want funny subject lines? Try quick phrases like “Oops, our bad 🍕” or “We miss your inbox!”

Fact: Subject lines with 3–5 words get up to 21% better click through rates.

2. Use Emotional Triggers to Connect

People open emails when they feel something—joy, curiosity, even guilt. A quick laugh can put your reader in a good mood, which is ideal for click-throughs.

• Use emotional connection to your advantage.
• Add positive emotions like “Surprise treat inside!” or funny twist like “You left us (and your cart) 😢.”
• Avoid sounding robotic. Humor + heart = a great combo.

3. Personalization Still Works — When It Feels Human

Using someone’s name or habits can still boost opens—if it doesn’t feel creepy.

• Add a personal touch like “Just for you, Alex 🍕” or “Your cart’s crying, Sam.”
• But keep it light and real. Nobody likes spammy email campaigns.
• A good subject line makes the email recipients feel seen, not sold to.

Combine humor + data + care = best email subject lines that actually work.

4. Creating Curiosity Leads to More Opens

If your email subject line creates curiosity, more people will click. Simple.

Think about this: Would you open an email that says, "You won't believe what happened today"? Probably. That’s how creating curiosity works.

Here’s the deal. Subject lines that spark interest get 22% more opens, according to Campaign Monitor. Use words that hint at something cool or unexpected. But don't be vague. Tease what’s inside.

Example: Instead of "New update inside," try "This one tweak boosted our open rates by 32%."

5. Numbers + Specifics = Clear Value

Numbers catch the eye. They promise something real.

Example: "7 Best Email Subject Lines That Actually Work."

Adding numbers makes your email subject line look more useful. Also, try adding timeframes, like "in 3 days" or "by Friday."

This builds trust. People want to know what they're getting into. Avoid being too broad.

6. Test Humor in Moderation

A funny subject line can give your email a boost. But it needs to match your brand voice.

If you're sending cold emails, don’t start with a "dad joke" unless it fits your audience. Use a personal touch.

Run A/B tests. See if a funny twist gets more clicks than a straight one. Sometimes, a bit of humor helps you stand out in a crowded inbox.

7. Preview Text Matters as Much as the Subject Line

Don’t ignore preview text. It’s the small sentence that appears under or next to the email subject.

This text supports your subject line. If your subject line says, "Free pizza inside," your preview text could say, "Plus extra cheese. Limited time!"

That combo builds curiosity and gives extra context. Use this space wisely. According to Litmus, emails with strong preview text get up to 24% higher engagement.

8. Avoid Spammy Words

Words like "Buy now," "Free offer," or "Act fast" can trigger spam filters.

Your email campaigns might never land in the inbox. That’s bad for open rates and trust.

Instead, go for friendly language. Make your email sound human. Add an emotional connection or light humor if it fits.

Quote: "Think like your reader. Would you open this email?" – Neil Patel, Email Marketing Expert

Want to earn money from email marketing? Humor can boost conversions, as long as your funny subject line still aligns with the offer.

Conclusion

Funny email subject lines can grab attention, boost open rates, and spark a good laugh. But they work best when matched with your brand voice and your email marketing goals. Want your emails to stand out in a crowded inbox? Test ideas, skip spammy words, and add a humorous subject line or a sneak peek that shows personality. The best subject lines don’t just entertain—they help you earn money through higher conversions. Keep it short, smart, and fun—your recipient's attention depends on it.

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