Newsletter Templates: 30 Free Email Layouts to Copy

A blank newsletter is the hardest email to write, because nothing tells you what goes first.

A good email newsletter template has one main story, two to four supporting items and a single call to action, in that order, closed by a footer with your postal address and an unsubscribe link. Below are 30 original templates grouped by the job they do, each with when to use it, its section order and copyable text.

This page covers email newsletters only. If you're after a print newsletter, or a template for Google Docs or Word, the layouts here will still give you a section order, but they're written for the inbox.

Every template uses [square brackets] for the parts you fill in, and ends with the same [Footer], written out further down. For the widths, font sizes and mobile rules behind them, see our guide to email newsletter format.

Use these when you have a product and existing users. Lead with the one change that matters most to the reader, not the one that took longest to build. Template 1 doubles as a monthly newsletter template for almost any product.

1. The monthly product update

Use it when: you ship several things a month and want users to notice the most useful one. Section order: header, lead feature with its one CTA, two smaller updates, sign-off, footer.

Subject: [Feature name] is here, plus [number] smaller fixes
Preview: [One-line benefit of the lead feature]

[Logo] [Product name] update · [Month Year]

Hi [First name],

The big one this month: [Feature name].
[Two sentences: the problem it solves, in your customers' words.]
[One sentence: how to try it in under a minute.]
[Button: Try [feature name]]

Also new
- [Smaller update 1]: [what changed, one line]
- [Smaller update 2]: [what changed, one line]

Reply and tell me what we should build next. I read every one.
[Your name], [role]

[Footer]

2. One feature, explained

Use it when: a feature is underused and a walkthrough would fix that. Section order: header, outcome headline, three steps with screenshots, one tip, CTA, footer.

Subject: How to [outcome] with [feature name]
Preview: Three steps, about [number] minutes

[Logo]

[Feature name], in three steps
[One sentence: who this is for and the result they get.]

1. [Step one] [Screenshot, alt text: what the screen shows]
2. [Step two]
3. [Step three]

Tip most people miss: [one sentence]
[Button: Open [feature name]]

[Your name]
[Footer]

3. The changelog digest

Use it when: your users are technical and want the full list, sorted so they can skim. Section order: header, New, Improved, Fixed, link to the full changelog, footer.

Subject: What shipped in [Month]: [number] updates
Preview: [Headline item] and everything else, in one list

[Logo] Changelog · [Month Year]

New
- [Item]: [what it does] [Link: docs]
- [Item]: [what it does] [Link: docs]

Improved
- [Item]: [was X, now Y]

Fixed
- [Item]: [what was broken]

Everything else: [Link: full changelog]
[Footer]

4. The tip of the month

Use it when: you want more users to reach the moment your product clicks, without another feature announcement. Section order: greeting, situation, the tip, two setup steps, CTA, invite to reply, footer.

Subject: One [product] trick most people miss
Preview: Takes [number] minutes to set up

Hi [First name],

[One sentence: the situation where this tip helps.]
Here's the trick: [the tip, in one sentence].

1. [Setup step]
2. [Setup step]

[One sentence: what changes once it's on.]
[Button: Set it up now]

Got a trick of your own? Reply and I may feature it next month.
[Your name]
[Footer]

5. The quarterly roadmap

Use it when: customers ask "what's next?" and you'd rather answer once, in public. Section order: header, Shipped, Next, Dropped, CTA to the roadmap, footer.

Subject: [Quarter]: what we shipped and what's next
Preview: [Number] shipped, [number] planned, one dropped

[Logo] [Product name] · [Quarter Year]

Shipped
- [Feature]: [why it matters, one line]

Next
- [Planned item]: [target month, stated as a plan, not a promise]

Dropped
[Feature]: [one honest sentence on why]

[Button: Vote on the roadmap]
[Your name]
[Footer]

In our experience, the "Dropped" section is the one readers remember. Saying what you won't build earns more trust than another list of plans.

These read like a letter from a person, because they are one. Skip the hero image, write in the first person, and sign with your first name.

6. The monthly founder letter

Use it when: your personality is part of why people buy from you. Section order: greeting, one story, the lesson, what you're changing, one ask, sign-off, P.S., footer.

Subject: [A specific moment from this month, in five or six words]
Preview: [The lesson, half-told]

Hi [First name],

[Two or three sentences: one thing that happened this month.
A customer call, a mistake, a number that surprised you.]

[Two or three sentences: what you took from it.]

[One sentence: what you're changing because of it.]

[One ask: reply with X, try Y, or forward this to Z.]

Talk soon,
[Your first name]

P.S. [One line: a link worth their time, or a small product update.]
[Footer]

7. The build-in-public numbers update

Use it when: you share your metrics openly and your readers are founders too. Section order: greeting, three numbers with change, what worked, what didn't, next test, invite questions, footer.

Subject: Month [number]: [headline metric] and what moved it
Preview: The numbers, the wins, and what didn't work

Hi [First name],

[Month] in numbers
- [Metric 1]: [value] ([change] vs last month)
- [Metric 2]: [value] ([change])
- [Metric 3]: [value] ([change])

What worked: [two sentences]
What didn't: [two sentences]
Next month I'm testing: [one sentence]

Reply with a question and I'll answer the best ones next month.
[Your first name]
[Footer]

8. The "why we're changing this" letter

Use it when: you're changing prices, a policy or a plan, and want customers to hear it from you first. Section order: the change in one line, what it means for the reader, why, a personal offer to help, footer.

Subject: We're changing [thing], and here's why
Preview: What changes on [date], and what stays the same

Hi [First name],

The short version: from [date], [the change in one sentence].

What this means for you
- [Effect on current customers]
- [What stays the same]
- [What they need to do, with a deadline, or "nothing"]

Why we're doing it
[Three or four sentences: the honest reason, including the trade-off.]

If this causes you a problem, reply and I'll sort it out personally.
[Your full name], [role]
[Footer]

9. The year in review

Use it when: it's December or your company's anniversary, and you want to thank people with specifics. Section order: where you started, three numbers, best moment, hardest moment, what you'd change, thanks and CTA, footer.

Subject: [Year] at [Company], in [number] numbers
Preview: Plus the one thing we'd do differently

Hi [First name],

[One sentence: where you were a year ago.]

- [Number] [customers, orders or issues]
- [Number] [things shipped]
- [Number] [a human number: support replies, countries, coffees]

The best moment: [two sentences]
The hardest moment: [two sentences]
What we'd do differently: [one sentence]

Thank you for being one of the [number]. [Button: See the full recap]
[Your first name]
[Footer]

10. The one-question letter

Use it when: you need input on a decision and want replies, not survey clicks. Section order: greeting, context, one question, how to answer, sign-off, footer.

Subject: Quick question, [First name]
Preview: A one-line answer is perfect

Hi [First name],

I'm deciding [what you're deciding] and I'd love your take.

[The question: one sentence, specific enough to answer in a line.]

Just hit reply. Even "[example of a short answer]" helps.

Thanks,
[Your first name]
[Footer]

A roundup becomes a habit when every link comes with your opinion. Readers can find links anywhere; your take on them is the part they subscribe for.

11. The weekly five

Use it when: you read widely in your niche and can commit to a weekly slot. Section order: masthead with issue number, five links with commentary, one labelled line from you, forward ask, footer.

Subject: [The most interesting link's angle] (+4 more)
Preview: [Newsletter name] #[issue number]

[Newsletter name] · Issue [number] · [Date]

1. [Headline of link 1]
[Two sentences: why it's worth reading, and the line you'd underline.]
[Link: Read it]

2. [Headline of link 2]
[Two sentences] [Link: Read it]

[Repeat for links 3 to 5]

From us: [one line about your product or post, clearly labelled]

Enjoyed this? Forward it to one person who'd like it. [Link: Subscribe]
[Footer]

12. One big idea and three links

Use it when: you have an opinion worth a few hundred words and want the roundup to support it. Section order: masthead, short essay, three related reads, sign-off, footer.

Subject: [The idea, stated as a claim]
Preview: [One supporting example], plus three good reads

[Newsletter name] · [Date]

The idea
[150 to 300 words making one argument, with one example.]

Three good reads
- [Link title]: [one line on why]
- [Link title]: [one line on why]
- [Link title]: [one line on why]

[Your first name]
[Footer]

13. The tools and resources roundup

Use it when: your audience shares a job (designers, marketers, developers) and keeps asking what you use. Section order: one-line intro, three to six tools each with price and "best for", disclosure, reply ask, footer.

Subject: [Number] [category] tools we actually use
Preview: Free ones first

[Newsletter name] · [Date]

[One sentence: the job these tools help with.]

[Tool name] · [Free / price]
[What it does, one sentence.] Best for: [who]. [Link]

[Repeat for each tool]

[If any link earns you a commission, say so here.]

What did we miss? Reply with your favourite.
[Footer]

14. The community roundup

Use it when: you run a community, course or user group and members ship things worth showing. Section order: header, one member spotlight, short list of other wins, upcoming event, how to get featured, footer.

Subject: What [community name] built in [Month]
Preview: [Member name]'s [project] and [number] more

[Community name] · [Month]

Member spotlight
[Photo, alt text: member name and their project]
[Member name] [what they did]. "[Short quote from them]" [Link]

Also shipped
- [Member]: [project, one line] [Link]
- [Member]: [project, one line] [Link]

Coming up: [event or thread], [date]
Want to be featured? [Link: Submit your project]
[Footer]

15. The best of the blog

Use it when: you publish often and most subscribers don't read every post. Section order: header, most-read post with image, three more posts, next month's topic, footer.

Subject: Our [number] most-read posts in [Month]
Preview: Starting with [top post's topic]

[Logo] [Blog name] monthly

Most read: [Post title]
[Image, alt text: what the image shows]
[Two sentences: the main takeaway.]
[Button: Read the post]

Also popular
- [Post title]: [one line]
- [Post title]: [one line]
- [Post title]: [one line]

Next month: [topic]
[Footer]

See it in Spreeflo: paste any of these into the drag-and-drop email builder, swap [First name] for {{ contact.first_name | default: "there" }}, and send yourself a test. Try the email builder, no login →

These templates work for events and launches

These five cover the life of an event or launch: invite, reminder, replay, launch day and early access. Put the date, time and time zone where nobody has to scroll for them.

16. The event or webinar invite

Use it when: you're running a live session and want registrations. Section order: header, title, date and time block, three takeaways, host, CTA, replay promise, footer.

Subject: Live on [day]: [what attendees will be able to do]
Preview: [Duration], free, with a replay if you can't make it

[Logo]

[Session title]
[Day, date] · [time and time zone] · [duration]

You'll learn
- [Takeaway 1]
- [Takeaway 2]
- [Takeaway 3]

Hosted by [name], [one-line credential].
[Button: Save my seat]

Can't make it live? Register anyway and we'll send the replay.
[Footer]

17. The day-before reminder

Use it when: someone registered and the session is within 24 hours. Section order: one-line reminder, join button, calendar link, what to bring, footer.

Subject: Tomorrow at [time]: [session title]
Preview: Your link is inside

Hi [First name],

Quick reminder: [session title] starts tomorrow, [day] at [time, time zone].

[Button: Join the session]
[Link: Add to calendar]

Bring a question about [topic]. We'll keep the last [number] minutes for Q&A.
[Your first name]
[Footer]

18. The replay and recap

Use it when: the event is over, for attendees and no-shows alike. Section order: thanks, replay thumbnail and button, three takeaways, answered questions, one next step, footer.

Subject: The replay: [session title]
Preview: Plus the [number] questions we didn't get to

Hi [First name],

Thanks for [joining / signing up]. Here's everything from [session title].

[Video thumbnail linked to the replay, alt text: "Play the replay"]
[Button: Watch the replay]

Three things to remember
1. [Takeaway]
2. [Takeaway]
3. [Takeaway]

Your questions, answered: [one or two short Q&As, or a link]

Next step: [one CTA: start a trial, book a call, or get the slides]
[Footer]

19. Launch day

Use it when: a new product or major feature goes live today. Section order: header, what launched and who it's for, image or GIF, why you built it, offer with deadline, CTA, small ask, footer.

Subject: [Product or feature name] is live
Preview: [The one-line promise]

[Logo]

Today we're launching [product name].
[One sentence: what it does.] [One sentence: who it's for.]

[Image or short GIF, alt text: what it shows]

Why we built it
[Two or three sentences: the problem, told as a story.]

Launch offer: [offer], until [date, time and time zone].
[Button: [Action verb] [product name]]

One favour: [a specific small ask, such as replying with feedback]
[Your first name]
[Footer]

20. Early access is open

Use it when: you've been collecting a waitlist and you're letting people in. Section order: you're in, what you get, CTA, deadline (only if real), feedback ask, footer.

Subject: You're in: early access to [product name]
Preview: [Number] spots this week

Hi [First name],

You joined the waitlist on [date]. Your access is ready.

What you get
- [Benefit 1]
- [Benefit 2]
- [Early-access perk, such as a founding price]

[Button: Activate my access]
This link works until [date]. After that, your spot goes to the next person.

Tell me what's confusing. Early feedback shapes what we build next.
[Your first name]
[Footer]

Shop newsletters lean on images, so each one below still makes sense with images turned off: the product name, price and a text button sit beside every picture. For subject lines, see our promotional email subject lines.

21. New arrivals

Use it when: a new collection or product drops. Section order: header with shop links, hero image, collection story, CTA, three products, shipping line, footer.

Subject: New in: [collection name]
Preview: [Number] pieces, [one detail: material, colour, limited run]

[Logo] · [Link: New in] · [Link: Bestsellers] · [Link: Sale]

[Hero image, alt text: describe the product in the photo]
[Collection name]
[One or two sentences: the story behind it.]
[Button: Shop the collection]

[Product image] [Product name] · [price] [Link]
[Product image] [Product name] · [price] [Link]
[Product image] [Product name] · [price] [Link]

[Shipping or returns line]
[Footer]

22. The seasonal sale

Use it when: you run a time-limited discount. Section order: offer headline, dates, CTA, two popular products with both prices, fine print, footer.

Subject: [Discount] off [category], ends [day]
Preview: [Use code [code] at checkout / Applied automatically]

[Logo]

[Sale name]: [discount] off [what's included]
[Start date] to [end date, time and time zone]
[Button: Shop the sale]

Most popular right now
[Product image] [Product name] · [was price] [sale price]
[Product image] [Product name] · [was price] [sale price]

The fine print: [exclusions, one line]
[Footer]

23. Back in stock

Use it when: a sold-out favourite returns, sent to people who viewed or asked about it. Section order: product image, it's back, one review line, CTA, available variants, footer.

Subject: Back in stock: [product name]
Preview: [Sizes or colours available now]

[Logo]

[Product image, alt text: product name and colour]
[Product name] is back.
"[Short real review]" ([reviewer first name], verified buyer)
[Button: Get yours]

Available now: [sizes or variants]
[Footer]

24. The how-to or care guide

Use it when: customers get more from your product with a little know-how, and you want a newsletter that isn't a discount. Section order: guide title, intro, three tips, one related product, CTA to the full guide, footer.

Subject: How to [get more from / care for] your [product]
Preview: [Number] tips from the people who make it

[Logo]

[Guide title]
[One-sentence intro.]

1. [Tip] [Optional image, alt text]
2. [Tip]
3. [Tip]

Pairs well with: [Product name] · [price] [Link]
[Button: Read the full guide]
[Footer]

25. Customer favourites

Use it when: you want social proof to do the selling. Section order: headline, three to five products each with a real review quote, help-me-choose link, footer.

Subject: The [number] things our customers reorder most
Preview: Starting with [top product]

[Logo]

Customer favourites this [month / season]

1. [Product name] · [price]
[Product image] "[Short real review]" ([reviewer first name], verified buyer)
[Link: Shop]

[Repeat for two to four more products]

Not sure which to pick? [Link: quiz, guide, or reply for advice]
[Footer]

These templates turn a customer story into a newsletter

A customer story works as a newsletter when it's short, specific and has one number the customer agreed to share. Ask before you publish, and use their words.

26. The customer spotlight

Use it when: one customer's result would make other customers think "that could be me". Section order: photo and name, problem, what they did, result, quote, CTA, footer.

Subject: How [customer] [achieved result]
Preview: [Before], then [after]

[Logo]

[Photo, alt text: customer name and company]
[Customer name], [role] at [company]

The problem: [two sentences, in their words]
What they did: [two or three sentences, naming the feature they used]
The result: [one specific number they've approved]

"[Short quote]" ([customer first name])

[Button: Read the full story]
[Footer]

27. The before-and-after

Use it when: the result is best shown as numbers side by side. Section order: headline result, three-row before and after, how they did it, CTA, footer.

Subject: [Company]: [metric] from [before] to [after]
Preview: What changed in [time period]

[Logo]

[Company] took [metric] from [before] to [after] in [time period].

                 Before        After
[Metric 1]       [value]       [value]
[Metric 2]       [value]       [value]
[Metric 3]       [value]       [value]

How they did it
1. [Change one]
2. [Change two]
3. [Change three]

[Button: Try the same setup]
[Footer]

28. The workflow walkthrough

Use it when: a customer uses your product in a way other customers haven't thought of. Section order: who and what, their setup in steps with one screenshot, the time or money saved, CTA, footer.

Subject: How [customer] uses [product] for [job]
Preview: Their setup, step by step

[Logo]

[Customer name] runs [business, one line]. Here's how they handle [job].

[Screenshot of their setup, alt text: what it shows]
1. [Step]
2. [Step]
3. [Step]

What it saves them: [the outcome, in their words]
[Button: Copy this setup]
[Footer]

29. The five-question interview

Use it when: the customer is interesting in their own right, not just as a result. Section order: intro, photo, five questions and answers, CTA, footer.

Subject: [Customer name] on [one surprising answer]
Preview: Five questions with the founder of [company]

[Logo]

[One-sentence intro: who they are.]
[Photo, alt text: customer name]

What does [company] do? [Answer]
What was the hardest part of the first year? [Answer]
What's one tool you couldn't work without? [Answer]
What would you tell someone starting today? [Answer]
What's next? [Answer]

[Button: Read the full interview]
[Footer]

30. The wall of love

Use it when: you've collected short, real quotes and want a light, quick issue. Section order: headline, three quotes with names, one stat you can verify, CTA, footer.

Subject: What [number] customers told us this [month / quarter]
Preview: Our favourite replies, shared with permission

[Logo]

[Headline: what customers keep telling us]

"[Quote 1]" ([customer first name], [role or city])
"[Quote 2]" ([customer first name], [role or city])
"[Quote 3]" ([customer first name], [role or city])

[One verified number, e.g. orders shipped or customers served]

[Button: See why they chose us]
[Footer]

This is the section order every template here follows

Strip the 30 templates down and nearly all of them share one structure. If you're writing a newsletter that doesn't fit any of them, start here.

Order	Section	Its one job
1	Subject and preview text	Get the open. The preview text continues the subject rather than repeating it
2	Header	Say who it's from. Logo or name, plus the issue or date
3	Lead item	The one story the issue is about
4	Supporting items	Two to four shorter pieces that back up or sit beside the lead
5	Call to action	One main action, as a text button
6	Sign-off	A name, and an invitation to reply
7	Footer	Address, reason for receiving, unsubscribe

Founder letters drop the header and supporting items; roundups swap the lead item for a numbered list. The footer never moves. The format guide covers the width, type sizes and mobile rules for each section, and chapter 8 of the Email Marketing Bible, Make it look good, covers dark mode and accessibility.

The footer every template ends with

[Company legal name] · [Postal address]
You're getting this because you [signed up at / bought from] [where].
[Link: Update preferences] · [Link: Unsubscribe]

In the US, CAN-SPAM requires every commercial email to include a valid physical postal address and a clear way to opt out, and opt-outs must be honoured within 10 business days (FTC). Google also requires anyone sending 5,000 or more messages a day to Gmail accounts to support one-click unsubscribe in the message headers (Google). Check that your email tool adds that header. The visible link and the address are yours to include.

Any of these works in any email tool. Here's what the workflow looks like in Spreeflo.

Build it once in the email builder. The drag-and-drop email builder is responsive on desktop and mobile, and the template library gives you starting points. Upload your logo and product photos to the media library, and put your postal address and an unsubscribe link ({{ spree.unsubscribe_url }}) in the footer. Spreeflo won't send a broadcast without an unsubscribe link. For the next issue, Duplicate last broadcast reuses the email, sender, audience and follow-ups under a new subject, so the layout and footer come with it.
Replace the brackets with personalisation. [First name] becomes {{ contact.first_name | default: "there" }}, so nobody gets "Hi ,". With {% if %} you can show one block to customers and another to trial users in the same issue, which is how one newsletter speaks to each reader a little more personally.
Send it as a broadcast. A broadcast takes four steps: Write, Audience, Follow-ups, Review. Pick everyone, a segment, or contacts that match conditions you set (only subscribed contacts with marketing turned on receive it), then send now or schedule it with a date, time and time zone.
Turn on the follow-ups. Resend to people who didn't open goes out after a wait you choose, with its own subject line. Follow up with people who opened but didn't click sends a separate, shorter nudge. Each person gets at most one of the two.
Read the report. Every number, from opens to bounces, opens the list of contacts behind it, and attributed revenue shows up once your payments are connected.

Broadcasts and the email builder are on Starter, from $16 a month for 1,000 marketing contacts (pricing). The Free plan doesn't send email, but its forms (with unlimited responses) let you start collecting subscribers before you pay.

The broader point

A template doesn't make a newsletter good. It makes it consistent, which is what lets readers learn what to expect from you and decide to keep opening. Pick the one that fits the job, keep the section order, and spend your time on the lead story. That's the only part nobody else can write for you.

Build this in Spreeflo

Spreeflo gives founder-led businesses a drag-and-drop email builder, a template library and broadcasts that follow up with non-openers by themselves, all on Starter. It's 2 to 3x more affordable than Mailchimp, and we'll move your existing templates across free while migration slots last.

Browse the templates → · See pricing

Common questions

A subject line and preview text, a header that says who it's from, one lead story, two to four supporting items, one call to action, and a footer with your postal address and an unsubscribe link. The footer items are legal requirements in the US under CAN-SPAM; the rest is what keeps readers opening.

The 30 on this page are free to copy and use in any email tool. Most email platforms also include a template library inside their builder; Spreeflo's is on the Starter plan. If you copy a design from elsewhere, check it on a phone and with images turned off before you send.

Long enough to cover one main idea well, and no longer. In our experience, most product and ecommerce newsletters work best when the lead item fits on a phone screen or two; founder letters and essays can run longer because the writing is the point. On the technical side, Gmail generally clips messages whose HTML is larger than around 102KB (Email on Acid), hiding everything below the cut, which can include your footer.

As often as you can keep the quality up. Weekly suits link roundups, where readers expect a rhythm; every two to four weeks suits most product updates and founder letters. Our sending frequency cheat sheet breaks it down by business type.

No. They're written for email newsletters sent from an email marketing tool, so they include subject lines, preview text and a legal footer that print newsletters don't need. The section orders still work for a print or document newsletter if you drop the email-specific parts.

Yes. They're plain text with placeholders, so they work in Mailchimp or any other builder. Replace [First name] with your tool's merge tag, and keep the footer.

Read these next

Sources

FTC: CAN-SPAM Act, a compliance guide for business, read 27 October 2026
Google: Email sender guidelines FAQ, read 27 October 2026
Email on Acid: Gmail email clipping and how to avoid it, read 28 October 2026
Spreeflo pricing, read 27 October 2026