LinkedIn InMail Credits: How it works and cost (2025)
You want to message someone on LinkedIn but they’re not in your network?
That’s exactly what InMail is for. With InMail credits, you can contact your 2nd and 3rd degree connections.
In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know:
What LinkedIn InMail credits are
The 3 types of InMail
How credits work, how many you get, and when they expire
How much they cost
How to get more InMail credits without paying more
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What Are LinkedIn InMail Credits?
InMail credits allow you to message LinkedIn members you're not connected with. Unlike standard messages, which require a connection, InMails lets you reach out directly.
They are useful if you want to send a message to someone in your 2nd or 3rd degree connections without sending a connection request.
Here's how it looks like on LinkedIn:
If I send a message to Mike, I will use one of my credits.
On LinkedIn, there are three types of InMails:
Free InMails: Sent to Open Profiles—Premium members who allow messages from anyone.
Paid InMails: Use your monthly credits to message 2nd or 3rd-degree connections
Sponsored InMails: Paid messages sent to targeted audiences, used in marketing campaigns. It appears as "LinkedIn Offer" in your Inbox
3 Benefits of Using InMail for Outreach
Here's why you might consider incorporating InMail into your outreach strategy:
1. Get Direct Access to Decision Makers
InMail allows you to message LinkedIn members who aren't in your 2nd or 3rd-degree connections. You don't need to send a connection request.
This feature is useful when you want to reach decision-makers or potential clients who are not directly connected to you.
💡 Pro tip: you can send an InMail to people who haven't accepted your connection request yet.
Higher Response Rates Compared to Cold Emails
You will get better response rates with LinkedIn InMails than cold emails.
You can expect a response rate between 10 to 25%. With cold emails, you have between 0.5 and 2% response rates.
Channel | Average Response Rate | Personalization Level | Contact Info Needed | Delivery Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LinkedIn InMail | 10–25% | High | No | LinkedIn (direct inbox) |
Cold Email | 0.5–2% | Medium/Low | Yes (email required) | Email (Gmail, Outlook…) |
You don't Need the Email Addresses of your leads
With InMail, you don't need to search for a prospect's email address or other contact details.
You can send messages directly through LinkedIn.
How Do InMail Credits Work?
Your monthly InMail credit depends on your LinkedIn subscription.
The Sales Navigator plan is probably the best choice if you want to send a lot of InMail messages.
Here is the recap:
LinkedIn Plan | Monthly InMail Credits |
|---|---|
Premium Career | 5 |
Premium Business | 15 |
Sales Navigator Core | 50 |
Sales Navigator Advanced / Advanced Plus | 50 |
Recruiter Lite | 30 |
LinkedIn Recruiter | 150 |
How Credit Rollover Works
Unused InMail credits roll over for up to 90 days.
However, there's a cap: you can't accumulate more than three times your monthly allotment.
LinkedIn Plan | Monthly InMail Credits | Max Accumulated (×3) |
|---|---|---|
Premium Career | 5 | 15 |
Premium Business | 15 | 45 |
Sales Navigator Core | 50 | 150 |
Sales Navigator Advanced | 60 | 180 |
Recruiter Lite | 30 | 90 |
How to Get More InMail Credits (Without Paying More)
Leverage Open Profiles
These are Premium LinkedIn members who accept messages from anyone — even if you're not connected.
Reaching out to them doesn’t cost you a single InMail credit.
You’ll usually see a “Free Message” option on their profile instead of the usual “InMail” button.
Send Good InMails Messages (and Get Credits Back)
If your InMail is responded to within 90 days, the InMail credit will be refunded. And even if your InMail has been declined, you will get your credit back.
It means you lose your credit only if your InMail message is ignored.
So "technically", you can send unlimited InMails as long as you have responses.
Best Practices for Using InMail Credits
If you're spending credits, make them count. Here’s how to get more replies and more credit refunds.
Write a good subject line
Your subject line is the first thing they see
Keep it super short and relevant (under 40 characters works best)
Mention something specific to them or their company
Avoid sounding like a pitch
In your message, go straight to the point. Tell them why you’re reaching out and what’s in it for them.
Personalize your messages
I know it sounds cliché but… Copy-paste most of the time, doesn’t work on LinkedIn.
So look at their profile and craft a personalized message.
Mention a recent post, role, or shared interest
Show that you’ve done your homework
Keep it human — no need to sound like a robot
This alone can double your reply rate.
Conclusion
InMail credits are a powerful way to reach people outside your LinkedIn network.
But because they’re limited (and costly), you need to use them smartly.
Personalize, time your outreach, and aim for replies — so your credits are refunded and your pipeline stays full.
You want to scale your outreach even more? Learn how to use LinkedIn Sales Navigator to find the perfect leads.
FAQ
How Does LinkedIn InMail Work?
InMail allows you to message LinkedIn members you're not connected with, using allocated credits based on your subscription plan.
You can expect a reply rate between 10 to 25%, which is far better than the 1% of cold email.
What Happens If Someone Doesn't Respond to My InMail?
If there's no response within 90 days, the credit isn't refunded. However, any reply within that timeframe returns the credit to your account
Can I Buy More InMail Credits?
Yes, additional credits can be purchased, typically at $10 each, depending on your location.
Most of the time, it's better to upgrade your LinkedIn paid subscription than buying InMail credits.
Do InMail Credits Expire?
Unused credits expire after 90 days, with a maximum accumulation of three times your monthly allotment.
