Best Time to Send LinkedIn Messages: 2026 Data Guide
Discover the best times to send LinkedIn messages for maximum response rates. Data-backed timing strategies by day, industry, and time zone for 2026.
The best time to send LinkedIn messages is Tuesday through Thursday between 8–11 AM in your recipient's local time zone, according to data from Sprout Social, Hootsuite, and Buffer. But timing alone won't save a cold message — when your message arrives matters far less than whether the recipient already knows who you are.
This guide covers both the data-driven timing strategies AND the inbound approach that makes timing work in your favor by ensuring every message you send is welcome.
Key Takeaways
- Tuesday through Thursday, 8–11 AM consistently shows the highest engagement across 2026 data, per Sprout Social
- LinkedIn's algorithm now weighs recency heavily — your content has one hour to prove it deserves attention, per Buffer
- Weekday morning messages earn nearly 2x engagement of off-hour messages, according to Buffer
- InMail response rates reach 18–25% when sent with timing and context, vs. 1–5% for cold email, per Martal Group
The Data: Best Days and Times for LinkedIn Messages
Best Days to Send LinkedIn Messages
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the most active LinkedIn days according to virtually every study in 2025–2026.
| Day | Activity Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Moderate — people clearing inboxes | Follow-ups on Friday conversations |
| Tuesday | Highest engagement | New outreach, key messages |
| Wednesday | Very high engagement | Continuing conversations, proposals |
| Thursday | High engagement | Meeting requests, follow-ups |
| Friday | Declining after lunch | Light engagement, quick questions |
| Saturday | Low | Avoid unless relationship-based |
| Sunday | Surprisingly strong for connections | Connection requests (highest acceptance) |
Sources: Sprout Social, Hootsuite, AuthoredUp
According to AuthoredUp's research, Sundays actually have the highest connection request acceptance rates because there's less competition in the feed.
Best Time Windows by Purpose
Different goals call for different timing:
For New Conversations (8–10 AM)
Mid-morning aligns with the start of the professional workday. People are settling in, checking notifications, and are more receptive to new messages, according to Bardeen's analysis.
For Follow-Ups (12–2 PM)
Lunchtime is when professionals catch up on messages they missed during morning meetings. According to We-Connect, midday follow-ups see strong response rates because recipients have mental space to engage.
For Quick Responses (4–5 PM)
Late afternoon catches people winding down their workday. They're more likely to respond to messages that require brief replies. According to Hootsuite, Thursday afternoons at 2 PM are a peak window.
Day-Specific Optimal Times (Hootsuite Data)
| Day | Peak Time |
|---|---|
| Monday | 11:00 AM |
| Tuesday | 6:00–8:00 AM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM |
| Thursday | 2:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 PM |
Source: Hootsuite 2025 data
Industry-Specific Timing Strategies
Not every professional checks LinkedIn at the same time. According to SalesRobot's research, industry context significantly impacts optimal messaging windows.
Technology & Startups
Tech professionals are often online during early mornings (6:30–8:00 AM) and late evenings (8:00–10:00 PM). They check LinkedIn as part of their morning routine and again after dinner.
Best window: Tuesday–Thursday, 7:00–8:30 AM or 8:30–10:00 PM
Financial Services
Financial professionals avoid LinkedIn during active market hours. They're most reachable during pre-market and post-market windows, according to Bardeen.
Best window: Wednesday 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, Thursday 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Healthcare
Healthcare professionals are most reachable during off-hours: early mornings, lunch breaks, and late evenings.
Best window: Monday–Friday, 5:30–7:00 AM, 12:00–1:00 PM, or 9:00–11:00 PM
Professional Services (Consulting, Legal, Accounting)
These professionals typically follow traditional business hours with peak activity mid-morning.
Best window: Tuesday–Thursday, 9:00–11:00 AM
Enterprise Sales (Targeting C-Suite)
Executives check LinkedIn early morning before meetings begin and during evening wind-down.
Best window: Tuesday–Wednesday, 6:30–7:30 AM or 7:00–9:00 PM
Why Timing Alone Won't Save Cold Messages
Here's the uncomfortable truth: even perfect timing can't fix a cold message. According to Buffer's 2025 data, early momentum influences reach for 48–72 hours — but this applies to people who already have an engaged audience.
The Inbound Difference
| Factor | Cold Message (Perfect Timing) | Warm Message (After Engagement) |
|---|---|---|
| Open Rate | 40–60% | 80–90% |
| Response Rate | 5–10% | 25–40% |
| Meeting Booking | 1–3% | 15–25% |
| Relationship Quality | Transactional | Advisory |
When a prospect has already seen your content, engaged with your posts, and recognizes your name, the timing of your message matters far less. They'll read it whenever they see it because they want to hear from you.
How Inbound Authority Makes Timing Work for You
Instead of obsessing over the perfect send time for a cold message, build authority so that prospects look forward to hearing from you:
- Engage on their content first — comment on their posts 2–3 times over a week
- Publish content they find valuable — address their specific challenges
- Then send a warm message referencing your shared engagement
- Any time becomes the right time — because they already trust you
The One-Hour Rule: LinkedIn's New Algorithm Reality
According to Buffer's research, LinkedIn's algorithm now gives your content just one hour to prove it deserves wider distribution. Miss that window, and visibility drops fast.
This has direct implications for messaging:
- Post content at peak times so more of your target audience sees it
- Engage immediately after posting to trigger algorithmic distribution
- Send messages after posting — recipients who just saw your content in their feed are primed to respond
Weekday morning posts earn nearly double the engagement of off-hour publishing. Early momentum now influences reach for 48–72 hours — a significant change from previous years.
The Weekend Opportunity
Most professionals avoid LinkedIn on weekends, creating a hidden opportunity. According to AuthoredUp's dataset, the top 1% of weekend posts had an engagement rate 25% higher than average weekday posts — because there's less competition in the feed.
When to use weekends:
- Sunday evening: Connection requests (highest acceptance rates)
- Saturday morning: Thoughtful, longer messages to warm prospects
- Weekend content: Publish personal stories or reflections with less competition
How ConnectSafely.ai Optimizes Your Messaging Timing
ConnectSafely.ai handles the strategic engagement that warms up your prospects before you ever send a direct message. The platform engages with your target accounts at optimal times, building visibility and familiarity so that when you do message — the response rate is dramatically higher.
Instead of worrying about sending cold messages at exactly 9:47 AM on a Tuesday, ConnectSafely.ai ensures your prospects already know who you are. At $39/month, it transforms cold messaging into warm conversation.
Getting Started
Combine timing data with inbound authority for maximum results:
- Map your target audience's time zones — always send in their local time
- Schedule key messages for Tuesday–Thursday, 8–11 AM in the recipient's zone
- Build visibility first — engage on prospects' content before messaging
- Use ConnectSafely.ai to automate strategic engagement at optimal times
- Track response rates by day and time to find your audience's sweet spot
Start your free trial and combine perfect timing with inbound authority for unmatched LinkedIn response rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to send LinkedIn messages in 2026?
The best time to send LinkedIn messages is Tuesday through Thursday between 8–11 AM in the recipient's local time zone. According to Sprout Social and Hootsuite, Tuesday ranks as the peak day, followed by Wednesday and Thursday. For follow-ups, the 12–2 PM lunch window also performs well.
What day gets the highest LinkedIn message response rate?
Tuesday consistently shows the highest LinkedIn engagement across all 2025–2026 studies, according to Sprout Social. Wednesday and Thursday follow closely. However, AuthoredUp found that Sunday has the highest connection request acceptance rates due to less competition in the feed.
Does message timing matter more than message content?
No. Message content and context matter far more than timing. A perfectly timed cold message still underperforms a warm message sent at any time. According to Buffer, timing affects initial visibility, but inbound authority and prior engagement determine whether someone actually responds. Build familiarity before messaging for the best results.
Should I send LinkedIn messages on weekends?
Weekends can be surprisingly effective for specific purposes. According to AuthoredUp, the top 1% of weekend posts get 25% higher engagement than average weekday posts because there's less competition. Sunday evenings work well for connection requests, while Saturday mornings suit thoughtful, personal messages to warm prospects.
What time zone should I use for LinkedIn messages?
Always use the recipient's local time zone, not your own. According to We-Connect, aligning with the recipient's work schedule ensures your message arrives when they're most likely to be active on LinkedIn. Check their profile location to determine their time zone.
Ready to stop worrying about perfect timing and start building authority that makes every message welcome? Start your free trial and let ConnectSafely.ai handle the engagement timing while you focus on conversations.
