Definition
The outer table is the structural foundation of every HTML email. It controls the overall width, alignment, and background of the email canvas. Standard email development wraps all content inside a single outer table that is typically 600px wide with align="center".
Typical Structure
<table role="presentation" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
<td align="center">
<table role="presentation" width="600" style="max-width:100%;">
<!-- All email content goes here -->
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
The outer table uses width="100%" to span the full viewport on mobile, while the inner container table is capped at 600px for desktop rendering. This two-table structure is the standard approach for responsive email design.
Related Glossary Terms
Accessible CTA (Email)
An accessible CTA is a button or link coded with sufficient colour contrast, visible focus states, descriptive screen-reader text, and a minimum touch target of 44×44 pixels.
AMP for Email
AMP for Email is a Google-developed framework that allows email messages to include interactive elements like forms, carousels, accordions, and live content. It turns static emails into dynamic, interactive experiences directly inside the inbox.
Dark Mode
Dark mode in email refers to how email clients render messages when the recipient has dark mode enabled. It affects colour display, image rendering, and readability. Designers use CSS media queries and hybrid coding techniques to control the dark mode appearance.
Drag-and-Drop Email Editor
A drag-and-drop email editor is a visual interface that allows marketers to build email layouts by dragging content blocks into place without writing HTML or CSS code.
Dynamic Content
Dynamic content in email refers to content blocks that change based on subscriber data, behavior, or preferences within a single email send.
Email Accessibility Guidelines
Email accessibility guidelines ensure emails are usable by people with disabilities, following WCAG standards for screen readers, colour contrast, keyboard navigation, and readable content.