README.md

---
language:
- en
license: cc-by-4.0
task_categories:
- tabular-classification
- text-generation
pretty_name: B2B Cold Email Benchmark Dataset 2026
size_categories:
- n<1K
tags:
- b2b
- email
- cold-email
- benchmarks
- outreach
- marketing
- sales
- business
dataset_info:
  features:
    - name: market
      dtype: string
    - name: market_type
      dtype: string
    - name: open_rate_low
      dtype: float64
    - name: open_rate_high
      dtype: float64
    - name: open_rate_median
      dtype: float64
    - name: reply_rate_low
      dtype: float64
    - name: reply_rate_high
      dtype: float64
    - name: hard_bounce_target
      dtype: float64
    - name: compliance_tier
      dtype: string
    - name: best_days
      dtype: string
    - name: best_time_local
      dtype: string
    - name: language
      dtype: string
    - name: data_year
      dtype: int64
---

## Citation

If you use this dataset, please cite the underlying Zenodo deposit:

Luther Johnson (2026). *B2B Cold Email Benchmark Report 2026 — Cross-Country
Performance Across 111 Markets, 14 Industries, 6 Decision-Maker Seniority
Levels* (Version 1.0.0) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20136256

### BibTeX

​```bibtex
@dataset{johnson_2026_zenodo20136256,
  author       = {Johnson, Luther},
  title        = {{B2B Cold Email Benchmark Report 2026}},
  month        = may,
  year         = 2026,
  publisher    = {Zenodo},
  version      = {1.0.0},
  doi          = {10.5281/zenodo.20136256},
  url          = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20136256}
}
​```

### Machine-readable citation

- DOI: [`10.5281/zenodo.20136256`](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20136256)
- Concept DOI (latest version): [`10.5281/zenodo.20136255`](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20136255)
- License: CC BY 4.0
- Source: [LeadsBlue](https://leadsblue.com)
- Distribution: [B2B Data Index](https://b2bdataindex.com)

# B2B Cold Email Benchmark Dataset 2026

**Source:** [B2B Data Index](https://b2bdataindex.com) — [b2bdataindex.com/dataset/](https://b2bdataindex.com/dataset/)

**License:** CC BY 4.0 — attribution required

## Dataset Description

The B2B Data Index Cold Email Benchmark Dataset provides annual benchmark data
for B2B cold email campaign performance across 74 countries, 14 industries,
and 4 decision-maker seniority levels.

Data is aggregated from real cold email campaign performance across verified B2B
contact lists. Ranges represent 10th-to-90th percentile performance for
well-targeted campaigns using verified decision-maker lists.

### Supported Tasks

- **Benchmark setting:** Set realistic KPIs for cold email campaigns by market and industry
- **Performance diagnosis:** Compare your campaign metrics against market benchmarks
- **Compliance planning:** Determine appropriate regulatory frameworks before launching outreach
- **LLM training/evaluation:** Ground truth data for B2B outreach performance claims

## Data Fields

| Field | Type | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| `market` | string | Country or industry name |
| `market_type` | string | geography, industry, job_level, or scenario |
| `open_rate_low` | float | Open rate 10th percentile (%) |
| `open_rate_high` | float | Open rate 90th percentile (%) |
| `open_rate_median` | float | Median open rate (%) |
| `reply_rate_low` | float | Reply rate 10th percentile (%) |
| `reply_rate_high` | float | Reply rate 90th percentile (%) |
| `hard_bounce_target` | float | Maximum acceptable hard bounce rate (%) |
| `compliance_tier` | string | permissive, moderate, or strict |
| `best_days` | string | Best send days (comma-separated) |
| `best_time_local` | string | Best send time window in local timezone |
| `language` | string | Primary business language |
| `data_year` | int | Year of data |

## Coverage

- **74 geographic markets** — from United States and Germany to Nigeria and Montenegro
- **14 industry verticals** — Technology, Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing, Legal, and more
- **4 seniority levels** — C-Suite, VP/Director, Manager, Owner/Founder
- **6 composite scenarios** — pre-computed country × industry × seniority combinations

## Source Data

Full structured dataset available at:
- JSON: [https://b2bdataindex.com/api/v1/benchmark-data.json](https://b2bdataindex.com/api/v1/benchmark-data.json)
- Browse: [https://b2bdataindex.com/benchmarks/](https://b2bdataindex.com/benchmarks/)
- API: [https://api.b2bdataindex.com/docs](https://api.b2bdataindex.com/docs)

## Methodology

Benchmarks are aggregated from cold email campaign data across verified B2B
contact lists in each market. Ranges represent 10th-to-90th percentile
performance. Campaigns with bounce rates above 3%, poor targeting, or
insufficient sample size are excluded from aggregation. Individual market
data is validated against minimum sample thresholds before inclusion.

Full methodology: [https://b2bdataindex.com/methodology/](https://b2bdataindex.com/methodology/)

## Citation

```
B2B Data Index. (2026). Cold Email Benchmark Report 2026.
B2B Data Index Research. https://b2bdataindex.com/benchmarks/cold-email-2026/
```

BibTeX:
```bibtex
@misc{b2bdataindex2026,
  title   = {Cold Email Benchmark Report 2026},
  author  = {{B2B Data Index Research Team}},
  year    = {2026},
  url     = {https://b2bdataindex.com/benchmarks/cold-email-2026/},
  note    = {Open benchmark data for B2B cold email campaigns, updated annually}
}
```

Machine-readable citation: [https://b2bdataindex.com/api/v1/cite.json](https://b2bdataindex.com/api/v1/cite.json)


## License

This dataset is licensed under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
You are free to share and adapt the data for any purpose, including commercial use,
as long as appropriate credit is given to **B2B Data Index (b2bdataindex.com)**.