Abandoned Cart Email Template
Most carts are abandoned, and a well-timed email recovers a real share of them. This template reminds the shopper what they left, removes the friction that stopped them, and gives one clear reason to finish now — without training people to always wait for a discount.
Last reviewed 2026-07-08
Template preview
You left something behind, {{first_name}} 🛒
Your cart's saved — checkout takes 30 seconds.
Hi {{first_name}}, you were so close! We saved the items in your cart so you can pick up right where you left off.
🛍️ {{product_name}} — {{price}} {{product_2}} — {{price_2}}
Free shipping over $50 · 30-day returns · secure checkout. Questions? Just reply to this email.
Still deciding? Here's 10% off if you complete your order in the next 24 hours: {{code}}
Complete my order →
{{company}}, {{address}} · Unsubscribe
How to fill in each field
Subject line
Reference the cart and create gentle urgency; personalize with the name.
Common mistake: Leading with a discount every time — it trains shoppers to abandon on purpose.
Show the items
Include the exact products (image, name, price) so they remember what they wanted.
Common mistake: A generic 'you left items' with no product detail — far less effective.
Remove friction
Address the usual blockers: shipping cost, returns, security, support.
Common mistake: Only pushing urgency without resolving why they hesitated.
Timing & sequence
Send the first email ~1 hour after abandonment, then 1–2 follow-ups over a few days.
Common mistake: A single email sent days later, after intent has cooled.
Read the full guide
Abandoned Cart Emails: What to Include, How to Write One, and Common Mistakes Learn how to write abandoned cart emails that recover lost sales. Includes what to include, subject line tips, flow structure, and common mistakes to avoid. Read the guide →Related templates & variants
This is the cart-recovery variant. For a purchase that completed, use the order confirmation or thank-you email; for inactive subscribers, the re-engagement email.
Copy-paste email marketing templates that convert — with subject lines, preview text and a field-by-field guide. Download as Word or copy to Google Docs.
An order confirmation email template with all the transactional details customers expect — order number, items, totals, shipping and support.
A thank-you email template for after a purchase — genuine appreciation, order recap, what's next and a soft next step.
A win-back re-engagement email template to revive inactive subscribers — acknowledge the absence, remind them of the value and offer one clear path back.
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Frequently asked questions
When should abandoned cart emails be sent?+
Send the first around one hour after abandonment while intent is high, then one or two follow-ups over the next few days. A short series recovers more than a single email.
Should abandoned cart emails include a discount?+
Not always. Lead with a reminder and friction-removal first; introduce a small incentive in a later email if needed, so you don't train shoppers to abandon carts for a coupon.
How many abandoned cart emails should I send?+
Two to three in a sequence works well: a reminder, a friction/urgency nudge, and an optional final incentive.
Sources & further reading
- Abandoned cart emails: 12 best practices (Klaviyo)— klaviyo.com
- Abandoned cart email best practices (Emarsys)— emarsys.com
We review authoritative guidance when building each template. Links are for reference only.