You know that feeling when you add something to your cart, get distracted, and totally forget about it?
Or you’re about to check out and then realize the shipping fee doesn’t sit right with you?
Yeah—your customers do that too.
That’s where abandoned cart emails come in.
They’re a super effective way to bring shoppers back, but here’s the catch: if they don’t open the email, it doesn’t matter how great your offer is.
The secret? An effective abandoned cart subject lines that grab their attention.
Let’s go over 10 abandoned cart subject lines that work, why they work, and how you can use them to turn lost sales into completed checkouts.
Why Abandoned Cart Emails Are Essential
Let’s be honest—cart abandonment is frustrating.
A shopper browses your store, adds products to their cart, and then… disappears.
No checkout. No sale. Just a lonely, abandoned cart sitting there, collecting digital dust.
And it’s not just happening to you. According to the Baymard Institute, nearly 70% of online shoppers leave items in their cart without finishing their purchase. That means for every 10 potential customers, only three actually buy—the rest? Gone.
But here’s the good news: not all hope is lost.
With the right email strategy, you can bring back 10-20% of those lost sales.
Success stories like these aren’t rare. Take Peak Design, for example. They managed to recover 12% of abandoned carts just by sending a simple, well-timed email campaign. That might not sound like a huge number at first, but think about it. 12% of lost sales are coming back with almost no extra effort.
To put that into perspective, most ecommerce emails struggle to get open rates that high, let alone conversions.
But with abandoned cart emails?
You’re not just getting people to open—you’re getting them to take action and complete their purchase.
That’s a 12% revenue boost on autopilot. No ad spend. No extra work. Just a few well-crafted emails doing the heavy lifting in the background, turning almost-buyers into paying customers.
And the first step? Getting your email opened in the first place.
That’s where a killer abandoned cart subject lines come in. If it doesn’t grab attention, your perfectly crafted email won’t even get read. But if you nail the subject line, you’ve got a real shot at winning back those almost-customers and turning abandoned carts into completed checkouts.
10 Abandoned Cart Subject Lines That Get Clicked
Here are the 10 abandoned cart subject lines you need:
Urgency & Scarcity
Creating urgency encourages customers to act fast before they miss out.
1.”Act Fast! Your Cart Won’t Wait Forever”
Variation: “Going, Going… Almost Gone!”
Why it works: FOMO (fear of missing out) pushes quick decisions.
2. “Limited Stock Alert! Grab It Before It’s Gone”
Variation: “Last Chance—Only a Few Left!”
Pro Tip: Highlight exact stock levels if possible (e.g., “Only 3 left!”).
3. “Your Cart Expires Soon—Complete Your Order Now”
Variation: “Final Reminder: Checkout Before Your Items Disappear”
Why it works: It encourages urgency with a deadline.
Gentle Reminders
Sometimes, a simple nudge is all a shopper needs.
4. “Your Cart is Still Waiting!”
Variation: “Still Thinking? Your Items Are Ready!”
Pro Tip: This works well for first-time cart abandoners.
5. “Oops! Looks Like You Forgot Something.”
Variation: “Psst… You Left Something Behind!”
Why it works: It feels casual and friendly.
6. “Come Back—Your Cart Misses You!”
Variation: “We’ve Saved Your Items for You!”
Pro Tip: Personalizing with the shopper’s name increases open rates.
Incentives & Special Offers
Yes, sometimes, all it takes is a little extra motivation to close the sale.
7. “A Special Offer Just for You!”
Variation: “Complete Your Order & Enjoy a Special Deal!”
Why it works: Incentivizes checkout with a surprise offer.
8. “Free Shipping If You Complete Your Order Today!”
Variation: “Limited-Time Perk: Free Shipping Inside!”
Why it works: It eliminates a common purchase barrier.
Reassurance & Confidence Boosters
Some shoppers hesitate because they’re unsure. These subject lines ease their concerns.
9. “Still Thinking? Here’s Why You’ll Love Your Purchase”
Variation: “Need Help Deciding? Read This First”
Pro Tip: Include customer testimonials or product guarantees inside.
10. “Don’t Miss Out—Your Favorites Might Sell Out!”
Variation: “Only a Few Left—Grab Yours Now!”
Why it works: It adds subtle urgency without feeling pushy.
Best Practices for Writing Winning Subject Lines
Here’s how to craft abandoned cart subject lines that actually get opened—and get shoppers back to checkout.
1. When It Comes to Subject Lines, Less Is More.
The sweet spot? Eight words or fewer.
That’s because long subject lines get cut off, especially on mobile devices, where over 46% of emails are opened.
Example: “Oops! You Forgot Something in Your Cart”
What to avoid: Long, vague subject lines like “We Noticed You Left Something in Your Shopping Cart—Come Back Now for a Special Offer”.
It’s too wordy and will likely get trimmed in inbox previews.
2. Personalize Whenever Possible
Personalization makes emails feel less like marketing and more like a personal reminder.
Adding the shopper’s name or mentioning the exact product they left behind can significantly increase open rates. In fact, emails with personalized subject lines get 26% higher open rates.
Example: “Emma, Your Sneakers Are Waiting!”
Pro Tip: If you don’t have the customer’s name, try using product-based personalization: “Still Thinking About Those Running Shoes?”
3. Use Power Words to Drive Action
Your subject line should spark emotion and urgency.
Words like “exclusive,” “limited,” “hurry,” and “don’t miss out” tap into FOMO (fear of missing out) and push shoppers to act fast.
Examples:
- “Hurry! Your Cart Expires in 24 Hours”
- “Limited Stock Alert: Your Favorites Are Almost Gone”
- “Exclusive Deal Inside—Checkout Before It’s Too Late!”
4. A/B Test Your Subject Lines
Not sure which subject line will perform best?
Test it! Running A/B tests (also known as split tests) lets you send different versions to small segments of your audience to see which one gets more opens and clicks.
Email tools like Klaviyo and Mailchimp make A/B testing easy by letting you compare subject lines and automatically sending the winner to the rest of your list.
Test Ideas:
- Personalization vs. No Personalization (“Emma, Your Cart is Waiting” vs. “Your Cart is Waiting”)
- Urgency vs. Curiosity (“Final Hours! Claim Your Cart Now” vs. “Did You Forget Something?”)
- Discount Mention vs. No Discount (“10% Off If You Order Today” vs. “A Special Perk Just for You”)
5. Send a Series of Emails (Not Just One!)
Most shoppers won’t act after just one email, but a well-timed email sequence can bring them back.
Instead of a single reminder, try a three-email sequence to maximize conversions:
Email 1: Gentle Reminder (1-2 Hours After Abandonment)
A casual nudge that simply reminds them about their cart.
Example: “Still Thinking? Your Cart is Waiting!”
What to Include: A picture of the product and an easy checkout button.
Email 2: Urgency Email (24 Hours Later)
Now it’s time to add a little pressure—mention low stock, an expiring cart, or a time-sensitive offer.
Example: “Going, Going… Almost Gone!”
What to Include: A countdown timer or a note about limited stock.
Email 3: Final Offer (48 Hours Later)
This is your last chance to win them back. Sweeten the deal with free shipping, a small discount, or a bonus gift.
Example: “Complete Your Order Now & Get Free Shipping”
What to Include: The incentive and a one-click checkout link.
Send a Series of Emails
Instead of a single reminder, use a three-email sequence:
- Reminder (1-2 hours after abandonment) – A simple, friendly nudge.
- Urgency Email (24 hours later) – Warn about low stock or expiring carts.
- Final Offer (48 hours later) – Include a discount or free shipping.
So, What Now?
An abandoned cart doesn’t mean a lost sale—it’s a second chance to re-engage shoppers.
The right abandoned cart subject lines grab attention, creating urgency, sparking curiosity, or offering a compelling reason to return.
Personalization and well-timed incentives can make all the difference, increasing open rates and conversions. A single reminder isn’t always enough, so a well-planned email sequence keeps your brand top of mind and guides shoppers back to checkout.
Testing different subject lines helps you understand what resonates with your audience and refines your approach over time. With the right strategy, those almost-sales can turn into real revenue, making abandoned cart emails one of the most valuable tools in your marketing strategy.
