How many email clients support linear-gradient?

It works in 9 of 21, partial in 2, not supported in 10.

Does linear-gradient work in AOL Mail?

linear-gradient is not supported in AOL Mail. Closest to Outlook Classic: AOL Mail, which agrees on 206 of the 298 features both are tested on.

linear-gradient in Outlook Classic

Not supported linear-gradient is not supported in Outlook Classic.

Works in 9 of 21 · partial in 2 · not supported in 10

Which clients

Works: Gmail, Gmail iOS, Apple Mail, Apple Mail iOS, Thunderbird, HEY Mail, Proton Mail, Fastmail, Superhuman
Partial: Gmail Android, Samsung Mail
Not supported: Outlook 365, Outlook (New), Outlook Classic, Outlook iOS, Outlook Android, Outlook for Mac, Yahoo Mail, Yahoo Mail Android, Yahoo Mail iOS, AOL Mail

Your reader in Outlook Classic sees the email without linear-gradient, even if it looks right where you tested it.

What to do instead in Outlook Classic

Use VML to render gradients in Outlook

instead

15 lines

<td bgcolor="#667eea" width="600" height="200"
    style="background-color: #667eea;
           background-image: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea, #764ba2);">
  <!--[if gte mso 9]>
  <v:rect xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" fill="true"
    stroke="false" style="width:600px;height:200px;">
    <v:fill type="gradient" color="#667eea" color2="#764ba2" angle="135" />
    <v:textbox inset="0,0,0,0">
  <![endif]-->
  <div style="padding: 40px; color: #fff;">Content here</div>
  <!--[if gte mso 9]>
    </v:textbox>
  </v:rect>
  <![endif]-->
</td>

Show the original

before

4 lines

<td style="background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea, #764ba2);
            padding: 40px; color: #fff;">
  Content here
</td>

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What Outlook Classic does with linear-gradient

The Emailens probe for linear-gradient on 3 real installs counted as Outlook Classic, captured 14 Oct 2026. It shows the problem, not the fix. Where linear-gradient is supported it shows: amber to white gradient (grey means unsupported).

The Emailens probe for linear-gradient on a real Outlook 2019 (Windows) — Outlook Classic

The Emailens probe for linear-gradient on a real Outlook 2016 (Windows) — Outlook Classic

Every account includes one free real-device check in classic Outlook, Outlook for Mac and Apple Mail, after you verify your email and run one preview, while this month's free capacity lasts. How real-device checks work →

caniemail record, tested upstream 29 Dec 2021

Gradients can be created in VML using type="gradient" on a <v:fill>. See VML documentation.

Your next question

Every feature in Outlook Classic · linear-gradient in every client

Questions

How many email clients support linear-gradient?: It works in 9 of 21, partial in 2, not supported in 10.
What do I use instead of linear-gradient in Outlook Classic?: Use VML to render gradients in Outlook.
Does linear-gradient work in AOL Mail?: linear-gradient is not supported in AOL Mail. Closest to Outlook Classic: AOL Mail, which agrees on 206 of the 298 features both are tested on.

To see what else in your email Outlook Classic does not support, paste the whole email.

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Real captures 14 Oct 2026 on 10 installs · caniemail (MIT) via @emailens/engine 0.18.22 · tested upstream 29 Dec 2021 · data last changed 10 Nov 2026 · Outlook (New) cells are the engine's mapping