How to Create HTML Emails in Apple Mail (Mac)
Email is not dead. It is very much alive, and HTML emails are a big reason why. If you use a Mac and Apple Mail, you already have a powerful tool in your hands. Many people think creating HTML emails requires expensive software or advanced coding skills. That is not true. With Apple Mail on macOS, you can create clean, professional HTML emails using simple methods and basic code.
How Apple Mail Handles HTML
Apple Mail uses the WebKit engine, which is the same engine used by Safari. This means it supports most modern HTML and basic CSS. However, email clients are more limited than web browsers. Apple Mail is friendly compared to others, but you still need to follow email-safe rules. Simple layouts, inline CSS, and tables work best. Fancy animations and advanced CSS tricks usually break or look strange.
What You Need Before You Start
You do not need special software or paid tools. You only need a Mac with Apple Mail installed and a basic text editor like TextEdit or VS Code. Basic knowledge of HTML helps, but even beginners can follow along. If you can copy and paste code, you are already halfway there.
Basic HTML Structure for Emails
Every HTML email starts with a simple structure. This structure tells Apple Mail how to display your content. Below is a clean and safe base template that works well in Apple Mail.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Email Title</title>
</head>
<body style="margin:0; padding:0; background-color:#f4f4f4;">
<table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<td align="center">
<table width="600" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" style="background-color:#ffffff;">
<tr>
<td style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size:16px; color:#333333;">
<h1 style="margin-top:0;">Hello from Apple Mail</h1>
<p>This is your first HTML email.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</body>
</html>
Why Tables Are Still Used in Emails
Tables might feel old-school, but they are the safest way to control layout in emails. Many email clients ignore modern CSS layout methods. Tables keep everything aligned and predictable. Apple Mail supports more features than others, but using tables ensures your email looks good everywhere.
Creating Your HTML File on Mac
Open TextEdit on your Mac and switch it to plain text mode. Paste your HTML code into the editor and save the file with a .html extension. For example, name it email.html. Make sure the file encoding is set to UTF-8. This avoids strange characters showing up in your email.
Opening HTML in Apple Mail
Apple Mail does not have a direct “insert HTML” button, but there is an easy workaround. Open your saved HTML file in Safari. Once it loads, select all the content using Command + A and copy it using Command + C. Then open Apple Mail, create a new message, and paste the content into the email body. Apple Mail keeps the HTML formatting intact.
Making Sure Your Formatting Stays Clean
After pasting, do not switch fonts or colors using Apple Mail’s toolbar. Doing so can add extra styles and break your layout. Trust your HTML and let it do the work. If something looks off, fix it in the HTML file, not inside Apple Mail.
Adding Images the Right Way
Images should always be hosted online for best results. Local images may work in Apple Mail but often break for recipients. Use full image URLs and set width styles inline.
<img src="https://example.com/image.jpg" alt="Sample Image" style="width:100%; max-width:560px; display:block;">
This approach ensures images load correctly and scale well on different screen sizes.
Creating Clickable Buttons with HTML
Buttons in emails are usually styled links. Apple Mail handles them well if you keep things simple.
<a href="https://example.com" style="display:inline-block; padding:12px 24px; background-color:#007aff; color:#ffffff; text-decoration:none; border-radius:4px;">
Visit Our Website
</a>
This button looks clean, works well in Apple Mail, and remains clickable across devices.
Making Your Email Mobile Friendly
Most people read emails on their phones. Apple Mail on iPhone works closely with Apple Mail on Mac. Keep your email width around 600 pixels, use large text, and avoid tiny buttons. Apple Mail automatically scales content, but clean design makes a big difference.
Testing Your HTML Email Before Sending
Always send a test email to yourself. Open it on your Mac, iPhone, and iPad if possible. Check spacing, fonts, images, and links. If something looks strange, fix the HTML and paste it again. Testing saves embarrassment and broken layouts.
Final Thoughts
The best HTML emails are simple, readable, and friendly. Do not overdesign. Focus on clear text, strong buttons, and a clean layout. Apple Mail does a great job showing HTML when you respect its limits. With practice, you will create emails that look professional and feel personal at the same time.