Email Spec

Robust email layout tables

Use a simple presentation-table scaffold where client support requires it, without leaking table semantics into the reading experience.

What it is

Many email clients still render complex layouts most consistently when structure is expressed with nested HTML tables.

Why it matters

Modern layout CSS is not uniformly supported, especially in desktop clients using document-rendering engines.

How to implement

Keep nesting shallow, set presentation roles, include explicit cell padding and widths where necessary, and preserve a logical source order. Use modern CSS progressively when its loss does not break meaning.

Common mistakes

  • Omitting role="presentation" from layout tables.
  • Creating a visual order that differs from DOM order.
  • Depending on background images for essential content.

Verification

Test the delivered message in representative webmail, mobile, and desktop clients with images on and off, then inspect the accessibility tree.

Sources

  1. Tables in HTML email — Can I Email