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Email Structure

Multipart Email

An email containing both HTML and plain text versions, allowing clients to display the appropriate format.

Definition

A multipart email is an email message containing multiple versions of the content - typically both HTML and plain text. The email structure (using MIME) allows email clients to choose which version to display based on recipient settings and capabilities. This ensures your message is readable regardless of the recipient's email client or preferences.

Why It Matters

Not all email clients render HTML equally, and some users prefer plain text. Multipart emails ensure your message reaches everyone in an appropriate format. Sending HTML-only can result in broken displays or spam filtering. Always include both versions for maximum compatibility and deliverability.

How It Works

The email contains multiple MIME parts, each with a different content type. The HTML part contains your designed email; the plain text part contains a readable text version. Email clients examine both and display based on their settings. Most show HTML; those that cannot (or prefer not to) show plain text.

Best Practices

  • 1Always include both HTML and plain text versions
  • 2Ensure plain text is readable and useful, not just stripped HTML
  • 3Keep critical content and links in both versions
  • 4Test how both versions render before sending
  • 5Do not just copy-paste HTML to create plain text

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Some recipients prefer plain text, some corporate email systems force it, and some accessibility tools work better with plain text. Including both also signals legitimacy to spam filters. Most ESPs generate plain text automatically, but review it.

Do not just strip HTML tags. Write scannable content with clear sections, use asterisks or dashes for bullets, include full URLs for links, and ensure the message stands alone without visual design elements.