How many emails can I send from one IP address per day?

Summary

Determining the optimal number of emails to send from a single IP address per day is a nuanced process without a definitive answer. The consensus is that it heavily relies on several interconnected factors. While some suggest sending 1-2 million emails daily, or even claims of 8-10 million, the critical aspect is the rate and timeframe over which these emails are sent. A key strategy involves 'warming up' the IP address, especially for new IPs, by starting with small volumes (hundreds or a few thousand) and gradually increasing it over weeks or months. Monitoring sender reputation, engagement metrics (open rates, click-through rates), bounce rates, and spam complaints is crucial. Email sending limits can also vary based on account type and the specific guidelines set by email service providers. Factors such as recipient mailbox distribution, content type (transactional or marketing), and sending infrastructure also affect deliverability. It's important to maintain good list hygiene and proactively add IPs as sending volume increases to avoid overloading ISP servers.

Key findings

  • No Single Answer: There's no one-size-fits-all number for the optimal number of emails.
  • IP Warm-up: Gradually increase sending volume over time, especially for new IPs, to build sender reputation.
  • Reputation Matters: Your sender reputation impacts how many emails you can send without deliverability issues.
  • Monitor Metrics: Keep a close eye on engagement metrics (opens, clicks), bounce rates, and spam complaints.

Key considerations

  • Recipient Distribution: Consider the recipient mailbox distribution (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) when determining sending volume.
  • Content Type: Differentiate between transactional and marketing content, as this influences deliverability.
  • Sending Infrastructure: Understand your email sending infrastructure's capabilities and limitations.
  • Account Type Limits: Adhere to sending limits that might vary depending on your email account type or plan.
  • List Hygiene: Practice good list hygiene to avoid sending to invalid or unengaged addresses.
  • Avoid Overloading ISPs: Proactively add IPs or adjust sending strategies to prevent overloading ISP servers and harming deliverability.

What email marketers say
11Marketer opinions

Determining the number of emails you can send from one IP address per day is not a fixed quantity but depends on several interconnected factors. There is no single 'correct' number. The primary driver is the sender's IP reputation; a well-established reputation allows for higher volumes. When warming up a new IP, it is crucial to start with low volumes (a few hundred to 2,000 emails) and incrementally increase the sending volume daily or weekly, carefully monitoring engagement metrics, bounce rates, and spam complaints. Other influential aspects include the recipient mailbox distribution, the nature of the email content (transactional vs. marketing), and the sending infrastructure capabilities. It's also important to consider throughput and desired sending speeds. Good list hygiene and adherence to best practices for email sending are essential to maintaining a positive sender reputation and avoiding being flagged as spam.

Key opinions

  • No Fixed Number: There isn't a single 'correct' number of emails you can send from one IP address per day.
  • IP Reputation Matters: Your IP's reputation significantly influences the volume you can send; a better reputation allows for higher volumes.
  • Gradual Warm-up: For new IPs, start with low volumes (a few hundred to a couple thousand) and gradually increase over time.
  • Monitor Metrics: Closely monitor engagement metrics (opens, clicks), bounce rates, and spam complaints during and after IP warming.

Key considerations

  • Recipient Distribution: Consider the distribution of recipient mailboxes (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) when determining sending volume.
  • Content Type: Differentiate between transactional and marketing content, as this can influence engagement and deliverability.
  • Infrastructure Limits: Understand the capabilities and limits of your email sending infrastructure (ESP or MTA).
  • Throughput and Speed: Factor in the desired speed at which you want to send emails, as high throughput can impact deliverability.
  • List Hygiene: Maintain good list hygiene practices to avoid sending to invalid or unengaged addresses.
Marketer view

Email marketer from NeilPatel.com explains that there's no hard and fast rule, but generally, new IP addresses should start with a low volume (e.g., a few hundred emails) and gradually increase it daily. Monitor your sender reputation and engagement metrics (opens, clicks) closely.

January 2025 - NeilPatel.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Litmus says that it depends on your sender reputation; a good reputation allows you to send more. Monitor metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and spam complaints closely.

June 2023 - Litmus
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email on Acid suggests you focus less on a specific number and more on gradual warming. Start small, monitor your results, and increase your volume slowly over time. They recommend good list hygiene as a priority

August 2024 - Email on Acid
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailjet shares that the volume depends on your IP reputation. They advise monitoring bounce rates, spam complaints, and engagement metrics to ensure you stay within acceptable limits and gradually increase sending volume.

May 2021 - Mailjet
Marketer view

Email marketer from ActiveCampaign answers that the amount you can send depends on many factors. To start with you need to consider how much you can afford with your current plan and IP. They also recommend gradual increase over time to help your reputation

January 2024 - ActiveCampaign
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora suggests you start small (e.g., 200-500 per day for a new IP) and slowly ramp up over a few weeks while monitoring bounces and spam complaints to maintain a good sender reputation.

July 2024 - Quora
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks agrees with Ken O'Driscoll's point, adding that you can potentially send more, but throughput and desired sending speed should also be considered.

August 2022 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that there is no single correct answer for how much daily email you can send from one IP address. It depends on recipient mailbox distribution, the number of senders, content type (transactional or marketing), and reputation metrics. It also depends on your sending infrastructure. Although a single IP may handle 1-2 million messages per hour technically, other infrastructure considerations exist. He suggests nobody can give a single answer without knowing a lot more about your specific circumstances.

March 2024 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit mentions that on a dedicated IP, you should start with a lower volume (500-1000) and then increase in increments of 10-20% each day while closely monitoring open rates and bounce rates.

December 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Stack Overflow shares an anecdote of managing a dedicated IP and starting with around 2,000 emails per day, then incrementally increasing based on deliverability data and ISP feedback.

July 2024 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view

Email marketer from Gmass focuses on the warm-up process: send around 50-100 emails on day one, then double it each day or week, depending on the ESP limits and engagement levels.

July 2024 - Gmass

What the experts say
4Expert opinions

Determining the number of emails you can send from one IP address per day is complex and depends on several factors. While some experts suggest sending 1-2 million messages a day, and claims exist of sending 8-10 million, the timeframe within which these emails are sent is critical. Sending volume should be considered alongside IP warm-up procedures. Gradual volume increases based on engagement and feedback are crucial, emphasizing starting with smaller quantities (hundreds, not thousands) and closely monitoring deliverability metrics. Overloading ISP servers is a concern with high-volume sending, suggesting proactive addition of IP addresses when approaching limits.

Key opinions

  • Volume Varies: Estimates of daily email volume per IP range significantly (1-2 million to 8-10 million).
  • Timeframe Matters: The speed at which emails are sent impacts deliverability, not just the total daily volume.
  • IP Warm-up is Key: Gradually increase sending volume over time to build a positive sender reputation.
  • Monitor Engagement: Track engagement and deliverability metrics and adjust sending volume accordingly.

Key considerations

  • ISP Limits: Be aware of the potential to overload ISP servers with high-volume sending.
  • Proactive Scaling: Consider adding IP addresses proactively as sending volume increases.
  • Reputation Building: Focus on building and maintaining a positive sender reputation through responsible sending practices.
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks responds to how much daily email you can send from one IP address. She says 1 - 2 million messages a day.

March 2025 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise, Laura Atkins, responds that there isn't a single number. It's important to gradually increase volume based on engagement and feedback. Start small (hundreds, not thousands) and watch your metrics.

August 2021 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares that while some claim to send 8-10 million daily, the time period matters. Sending daily technically means within 24 hours, but delivery is desired in a smaller window. Overloading an ISP's inbound mail server is possible when pushing too hard. He suggests adding IPs proactively if approaching any limit.

February 2022 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource, John Levine, explains that you need to warm up your IP address when you start sending email from it. The question isn't necessarily about a fixed number per day, but more about gradually increasing volume to establish a good reputation with ISPs.

June 2021 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
4Technical articles

Email sending volume from a single IP address is not a fixed number but a dynamic process requiring careful management. Documentation from various sources emphasizes a gradual 'ramp-up' or 'warm-up' strategy, especially for new IP addresses. This involves starting with small batches and incrementally increasing volume over weeks, relying on feedback from ISPs to guide the process. Adhering to best practices for sending volume and frequency is crucial to avoid being flagged as spam. Monitoring domain and IP reputation using tools such as Google Postmaster Tools is also recommended. Guidelines from email platforms such as Microsoft emphasize adherence to their specific sending limits, which vary by account type.

Key findings

  • Ramp-Up Strategy: New IPs should implement a gradual ramp-up of sending volume.
  • ISPs Feedback: Volume increases should be based on feedback and signals from ISPs.
  • Best Practices: Following established best practices for sending volume is crucial.
  • Reputation Monitoring: Monitor domain and IP reputation to ensure compliance and detect issues.

Key considerations

  • Account Type Limits: Adhere to specific sending limits that may vary based on the type of account you have.
  • Avoid Spam Flags: Implement strategies to prevent emails from being flagged as spam by adhering to best practices.
  • Incremental Volume Increases: Gradual increases in sending volume will help establish a positive sending reputation over time.
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains the importance of adhering to sending limits and recommends checking their guidelines on bulk sending to prevent being marked as spam. These limits can vary for different account types.

November 2024 - Microsoft
Technical article

Documentation from Google Postmaster Tools explains that it's crucial to adhere to best practices for sending volume and frequency to avoid being flagged as spam. They suggest monitoring your domain and IP reputation within their tools.

September 2024 - Google
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost suggests that when warming up an IP, you shouldn't max it out from day one. Ramp up your sending over a period of weeks, increasing daily volume by a specific percentage.

September 2024 - SparkPost
Technical article

Documentation from SendGrid explains that the number of emails to send from one IP address varies. They recommend a ramp-up strategy for new IPs, starting with smaller batches and incrementally increasing volume based on feedback from ISPs.

February 2025 - SendGrid