Adding a countdown timer to MailerLite emails takes under two minutes and works on every MailerLite plan, including the free tier. This guide shows you how to embed a Tickvio timer via the Custom HTML block, plus how Tickvio compares to MailerLite's own built-in countdown timer (which is paid-only and has significant limitations).
MailerLite is one of the fastest-growing email platforms, with over 1 million users drawn to its clean interface, generous free plan, and creator-friendly features. It's a favourite among bloggers, small ecommerce brands, and solo founders who want professional email without enterprise complexity.
MailerLite's built-in countdown timer is only available on paid plans. It supports fixed-date timers with basic colour customisation. It does not support:
• Evergreen timers (per-subscriber deadlines for automation flows)
• Recurring timers (auto-reset for weekly promos)
• Dynamic timers (dates from subscriber attributes)
• Custom expiry states beyond a basic "expired" message
• Timer analytics
Tickvio's free plan includes all three timer types (fixed, evergreen, recurring), 28+ design styles, full expiry state control, and view analytics — even on the free tier.
For MailerLite free plan users, Tickvio is the only way to add countdown timers to your emails. For paid MailerLite users, Tickvio gives you significantly more power and design flexibility than the native element.
Log in to Tickvio, create a timer, customise the design, configure the expiry state, and copy the HTML embed code.
In MailerLite, create a new campaign or edit an automation email. Open it in the drag-and-drop editor.
Drag the Custom HTML block into your email where you want the timer — typically below the hero headline, above your main CTA. Click it to open the code editor.
Paste the Tickvio embed code into the HTML editor. Save and close. The timer preview appears in your email layout.
Preview across devices and send a test email. Check our inbox support guide for rendering details across email clients.
Welcome sequence: Add an evergreen timer to your welcome email with a first-purchase discount. Each subscriber gets a personal deadline from when they join.
Course / ebook launch: Use a fixed-date timer in your launch email sequence counting down to enrollment closing or early-bird pricing expiry. MailerLite's sequencing features make this straightforward.
Abandoned cart (ecommerce): For MailerLite users with ecommerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce), add an evergreen timer to abandoned cart emails. See our cart abandonment timer guide.
Seasonal campaigns: Fixed-date timers for holiday sales, back-to-school offers, or any time-bound promotion. Consistent across your entire list.
Blogger / creator offers: Many MailerLite users are bloggers. Pair a time-limited affiliate offer with an evergreen timer in a dedicated email or sequence.
Free plan users — this is the solution: MailerLite's free plan (up to 1,000 subscribers) does not include the native countdown timer block. Tickvio via Custom HTML is the only option — and Tickvio's free plan (20,000 views/month) more than covers a 1,000-subscriber list.
Landing pages: MailerLite has a landing page builder. Use the same Tickvio timer on both your email and landing page for consistent urgency. One timer URL, two placements.
Smart sending + timers: MailerLite's "Smart Sending" feature schedules emails at subscriber-optimal times. Pair with an evergreen timer so the countdown duration is consistent regardless of when each person receives and opens the email.
Subscriber segmentation: Target your timer campaigns at engaged subscribers using MailerLite's segmentation. Send timer emails only to recent openers or high-engagement segments. See our deliverability guide for why segmentation matters for timer emails.
Drag-and-drop simplicity: MailerLite's drag-and-drop editor is one of the cleanest in the industry. Custom HTML blocks behave like any other block — drag, resize, reposition. Easy to test different timer placements.
Newsletter creator audience: If you run a regular paid newsletter on MailerLite, don't add timers to every issue. Use them only for promotional sends and launches. Constant urgency trains subscribers to ignore it.
RSS-to-email with timers — avoid: MailerLite supports RSS-to-email campaigns. Don't add fixed-date timers to recurring RSS emails — they'll expire by the next send. Use recurring timers or skip timers entirely for RSS campaigns.
One-time campaigns: Fixed-date timers.
Automation workflows / welcome series: Evergreen timers.
Weekly newsletter deals / monthly promos: Recurring timers.
Does MailerLite have a built-in countdown timer?
Yes — MailerLite has a native countdown timer element, but it's only available on paid plans and supports only fixed-date timers with basic customisation. For free plan users, the Custom HTML block with Tickvio is the only way to add timers. For paid users, Tickvio offers more timer types and design options than the native element.
Can I use a countdown timer on MailerLite's free plan?
Yes — via Tickvio and the Custom HTML block. The native MailerLite timer isn't included on the free plan, but the Custom HTML block is, so you can embed a Tickvio timer at no cost. This works with up to 1,000 subscribers on MailerLite's free plan and 20,000 timer views/month on Tickvio's free plan.
Will Tickvio timers work in MailerLite automations?
Yes. The Custom HTML block is available in both campaigns and automation emails. For automations, use evergreen timers so each subscriber's deadline starts from when they trigger the email.
Can I match my brand colours on the timer?
Yes. Tickvio supports unlimited colour customisation — enter your brand's hex codes for the timer background, digits, and text. MailerLite's native timer has limited preset colours; Tickvio doesn't.
Will the timer break when forwarded?
No. Tickvio timers render based on the current time when the email is opened, not when it was sent. A forwarded email shows the correct "time left" to the new recipient — until the deadline hits zero, at which point it shows the expiry state.
Can I use the same timer on MailerLite landing pages?
Yes. MailerLite has a landing page builder that supports custom HTML. Embed the same Tickvio timer on both the email and the landing page for consistent urgency.
Create your free Tickvio timer — works on MailerLite free and paid plans alike. 20,000 views/month, all timer types, no branding, no credit card.
For more, see our complete guide to email countdown timers and MailerLite integration page.
