Why Does Outlook Email Look Different?

Have you ever noticed that an email looks fine in Gmail but suddenly looks off in Outlook? You’re not alone. A common question among email users is: Why does Outlook email look different? Whether it's strange spacing, broken layouts, or inconsistent fonts, Outlook has a reputation for rendering emails a little differently. Let’s explore why that happens and how to work around it - especially if you rely on email for professional communication.

1. Outlook Uses Microsoft Word to Render Emails

Unlike most modern email clients that use web-based rendering engines (like Chrome’s or Safari’s), Outlook uses Microsoft Word’s rendering engine to display HTML emails.

That means:

1. CSS styles are interpreted differently

2. Some HTML elements are not supported

3. Responsive design might break in Outlook

What looks perfect in Gmail or Apple Mail might look awkward in Outlook—even if the code is technically valid.

2. Inconsistent Support for HTML and CSS

Outlook’s rendering engine struggles with:

1. Background images

2. Media queries (used for mobile responsiveness)

3. Custom fonts

4. Margins and paddings

This is why many emails appear misaligned or “off” when viewed in Outlook versus Gmail or other clients.

3. How to Improve Outlook Email Display

To minimize formatting issues:

1. Use tables instead of divs for layout (yes, it’s old school—but Outlook prefers it).

2. Keep CSS inline .

3. Test your email on multiple clients using services like Litmus or Email on Acid.

4. Avoid relying on Google Fonts or advanced CSS animations.

These tips can help ensure your email looks professional across platforms.

4. Bonus Tip: Simplify Communication with Tools Like Formswrite

Sometimes, it's easier to skip the complex formatting altogether. If you're collecting feedback, running surveys, or creating quizzes, rather than building the form into the email—just create a form in Google Docs and use Formswrite.com to convert it into a clean, interactive form.

You can then paste the Formswrite link into your Outlook email, and the recipient can complete the form in their browser. No formatting headaches required.

Final Thoughts

Outlook emails often look different because they’re rendered with Microsoft Word, which has limited HTML/CSS support. While this can be frustrating for marketers and designers, there are ways to work around it. And when it comes to sending structured content like forms or surveys, Formswrite gives you a formatting-free solution that works beautifully across all email clients, including Outlook.

FAQ

Q: Why does my HTML email look fine in Gmail but not Outlook? A: Outlook uses Microsoft Word’s rendering engine, which doesn’t fully support modern HTML/CSS.

Q: How do I make my email look better in Outlook? A: Use tables for layout, inline CSS, and avoid advanced styling.

Q: Does Outlook support responsive emails? A: Not well. Media queries are often ignored, which can break mobile-friendly layouts.

Q: Can I avoid formatting issues by using Formswrite? A: Yes. Just share the Formswrite form link via Outlook instead of embedding complex layouts.