Email Subject Line Generator
Get 8 or 12 subject lines for your campaign, each from a different angle, with a preview text that pairs with it.
One subject line per angle
Asking for “10 subject lines” usually gets you 10 versions of the same line. This generator gives each one a different job, in a fixed order, so you get a real spread to test:
- Clear and direct, Benefit and Specific detail: say what the email is and why it matters.
- Curiosity and Question: make people want to open, without clickbait the email can't back up.
- Offer and Deadline: used only when you add a real offer or deadline under Details.
- Short, Personal, Playful and more to fill the rest.
Each line sits in its own box with a character count, so you can see at a glance which ones fit. Shopify's advice is 3 to 6 words, or under 50 characters, so the subject stays readable on a phone.
Campaign and store type presets
| Setting | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Abandoned cart | A reminder about what they left, not a sale, unless you add an offer |
| Welcome | A greeting and what they signed up for |
| Win-back | A friendly check-in, with no guilt-tripping |
| Newsletter or content | Leads with the content, not with selling |
| Beauty, health, food or pets | Blocks medical and health claims your details don't state |
The output ends with two picks to test first. Send each to a small, random part of your list, then send the winner to the rest. Many email tools can run this split test for you.
Using them in your email tool
- 01
Shopify Messaging
When you create a campaign, enter the subject line and the optional preview text. To personalize, click the Personalize icon and set a default value for customers without a name. You can use at most 2 personalization values across the subject and preview text.
- 02
Klaviyo and others
Paste the subject and preview text into their fields and swap [First name] for the tool's first-name tag with a fallback. Klaviyo notes that without preview text, inboxes pull the first text in the email instead.
- 03
WooCommerce
WooCommerce sends order emails, not campaigns. Send campaigns from an email platform connected to your store.
Pitfalls
- Deceptive subject lines are illegal in the US. The CAN-SPAM Act says the subject line must accurately reflect the content of the message. No fake “Re:” or order updates.
- Fake urgency backfires. The generator only writes a deadline or offer you give it.
- Skip ALL CAPS and strings of exclamation marks. Shopify's writing guide advises against both.
Questions people ask
How long should an email subject line be?
Shopify recommends 3 to 6 words, or under 50 characters, so it's still readable on a phone. Put the most important words first in case it's cut short.
Should I use the customer's first name?
Sometimes. Pick Use first name in some and two or three lines will include [First name]. Always set a fallback in your email tool for subscribers without a name.
Do emoji help?
They can make a line stand out, but they don't suit every brand and can display differently across inboxes. They're off by default; turn them on and test one against a plain version.
What's preview text?
The line inboxes show next to or under the subject. Each subject line here comes with one. For more options, use the preheader text generator.
How do I pick the winner?
Test two at a time on a small, random part of your list, then send the better one to everyone else. Compare clicks as well as opens, since a line can win opens without winning sales.
Related tools
Last reviewed 30 September 2026.
Sources: Shopify Help: Best practices for writing marketing emails with Shopify Messaging · Shopify Help: Create email marketing campaigns using Shopify Messaging · Klaviyo Help: How to insert preview text into an email · FTC: CAN-SPAM Act compliance guide for business
