Preview text checker

See where your preview text gets cut off

Your preview text is the line people read right after your subject. Looksend shows it in real inbox lists, from the iPhone lock screen to Outlook on desktop, so you can see exactly what survives.

Check my preview text
Desktop inboxes are free. Phone inboxes are part of Pro.

What happens to your preview text

Every inbox shows your sender name, subject line and preview text a little differently. Phones show the least, and the iPhone lock screen cuts it to a couple of lines. Desktop inboxes show more but squeeze it onto one line next to your subject.

The three most common problems

  • It runs into the email. If your preview text is short, inboxes keep reading into the email itself, so people see “View in browser · Shop · Sale” after your carefully written line. Looksend spots this and gives you the spacer code that stops it.
  • There isn’t any. With no preview text set, inboxes show the first words of the email instead. Looksend flags it and gives you the code to add some.
  • The good bit is at the end. If the offer is in the last 20 characters, most phones never show it. Lead with it.

How to check it in Looksend

  1. Paste your email. Looksend reads the preview text from the code, or you can type it in.
  2. Switch to the Inbox view to see your email in eight inbox lists, outlined among other emails.
  3. Edit the subject and preview text on the left and watch every inbox update instantly.

Testing two subject lines? Pro lets you compare A and B side by side in every inbox before you run the test.

Frequently asked questions

What is email preview text?

Preview text, also called a preheader, is the short line an inbox shows after the subject line. It’s the second thing people read before deciding whether to open, so it works like a subtitle for your subject.

How many characters of preview text do inboxes show?

Roughly 35 to 140 characters, depending on the app and screen. Phones and the iPhone lock screen show the least, desktop inboxes the most. Put the important part in the first 40 or so characters so it survives everywhere.

Why does “View in browser” appear after my preview text?

When preview text is missing or short, inboxes fill the remaining space with the first words of the email, which is often “View in browser” or your navigation links. Adding spacer characters after your preview text stops this. Looksend detects it and gives you the code.

Should preview text repeat the subject line?

No. Use it to add what the subject didn’t have room for, such as the offer, the deadline or the reason to open. Repeating the subject wastes the space.

Look before you send.

Check my preview text