Metrics

Reply rate

Definition

Reply rate is the share of contacted prospects who reply to an outbound sequence. Depending on the tool, it can include auto replies and opt outs.

Reply rate in practice

Reply rate is the first number most teams look at and one of the least useful on its own, because a reply saying stop counts the same as a reply asking for a call. Check how your tool counts it: some include auto replies, some count per email rather than per prospect.

Use reply rate as an early health check on deliverability and relevance, split by mailbox and by signal. A sudden drop on one mailbox often means placement trouble rather than bad copy. For judging outcomes, use positive reply rate and cost per meeting instead.

Direct connections. Open the full map

Last updated 2026-10-14 by Ishan Vats.

Connected to

Part of

Cold emailCold email is a one-to-one message to someone you have no prior relationship with, sent because there is a specific reason they might care.

Depends on

Inbox placementInbox placement is the share of your delivered emails that land in the primary inbox rather than spam or a promotions tab, usually estimated with seed tests.

See where reply rate fits in a real build.

Book the free 30 minute signal audit. We map the buying signals for your ICP live on the call, and show you where reply rate sits in the system we would build.

Pick a time in the calendar below to schedule a 30 minute call with me.

01You talk. Who you sell to and what you send today.
02We map. The signals that fire for your ICP and the two to start with.
03You keep it. The signal map and a budget range, whether or not you build with us.

Ishan Vats, founder of IV Consulting. We run our own outbound on the same system.

More free GTM tools: Signal library · Email domain checker · Cold email calculator · GTM glossary · GTM and CRM setup

Signal audit · 30 min · free

Loading the calendar. If it does not appear, book the signal audit on cal.com.