Email Countdown Timer - Embed in Mailchimp, Klaviyo, ActiveCampaign
Add a countdown timer to your marketing emails to create urgency and lift conversions. Copy-paste embed code and GIF countdowns that work in Mailchimp, Klaviyo, ActiveCampaign, ConvertKit, and every major email client.
Create Your Free Email CountdownWhy Use a Countdown Timer in Email?
A countdown timer turns a passive email into a time-sensitive call to action. When subscribers can see exactly how long they have left to claim an offer, register for a webinar, or grab a launch discount, they act faster. That urgency is one of the most reliable ways to lift email performance.
A visible deadline pushes subscribers to act before time runs out.
Limited-time framing increases clicks and completed purchases.
A live, ticking visual makes campaigns feel current and dynamic.
How to Add a Countdown Timer to Email
Adding a countdown timer to your email takes about a minute and requires no coding. Follow these three steps:
- 1
Create your countdown timer on CountdownShare
Set your campaign end date and time, choose a theme, and customize the colors and fonts to match your brand. (A live preview shows exactly how the timer will look in your email.)
- 2
Copy the embed code
Open the email embed option to copy the email-safe countdown image URL or HTML snippet. (Screenshot: the "Email Embed" tab with a copy button.)
- 3
Paste into your email template
Add the image or HTML to your Mailchimp, Klaviyo, ActiveCampaign, or ConvertKit template, then send. (Screenshot: pasting the timer into the email builder.)
Email Platform Compatibility
CountdownShare email timers work with every major email marketing platform and email client:
Mailchimp
Add the countdown image to any content or image block.
Klaviyo
Drop the timer into a flow or campaign with the image block.
ActiveCampaign
Insert into automation emails and broadcasts.
ConvertKit
Embed in broadcasts and sequences for creators.
Brevo
Works in drag-and-drop and HTML email templates.
Gmail & Outlook
Image-based timers render reliably across clients.
GIF Countdown Option
Most email clients block JavaScript and iframes, so a standard website embed will not animate inside an inbox. CountdownShare solves this with an auto-updating GIF/image countdown: instead of code that runs in the browser, the timer renders as an image that shows the correct time remaining each time the email is opened. This is the reliable way to display a live countdown in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and platforms that do not support HTML embeds.
Copy-Paste Embed Code for Email
Paste this image-based snippet into a custom HTML block in your email template. Replace your-timer-id with the ID from your own timer:
<a href="https://countdownshare.com/c/your-timer-id"><img src="https://countdownshare.com/api/email-countdown/your-timer-id.gif" alt="Countdown timer" width="400" style="display:block;border:0;" /></a>Create your timer to get the email embed code with your timer ID filled in automatically.
FAQ: Email Countdown Timers
Do countdown timers work in email?
Yes. Because most email clients block JavaScript and iframes, email countdown timers use an auto-updating GIF or image that displays the live time remaining. CountdownShare generates an email-safe countdown image that renders in Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, and all major clients.
Which email platforms support a CountdownShare timer?
CountdownShare works with Mailchimp, Klaviyo, ActiveCampaign, ConvertKit, Brevo, and any platform that lets you add an image or custom HTML block to your email template.
Why use a countdown timer in email marketing?
Countdown timers create urgency by showing subscribers exactly how long they have to act. Email marketers consistently see higher click-through and conversion rates on campaigns that include a visible deadline for sales, launches, and limited-time offers.
How do I add a GIF countdown timer to an email?
Create your timer on CountdownShare, choose the email/GIF embed option, and copy the image URL or HTML. Paste it into your email template as you would any image. The countdown updates each time the email is opened.
Ready to Add Urgency to Your Emails?
Create a free email countdown timer in 30 seconds, or upgrade for GIF timers and full branding control.