LinkedIn InMail Credits: How it works and cost (2026)

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 directly 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

Watch on YouTube

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 let 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:

Benefit 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.

Watch on YouTube

Benefit 2: 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.

Benefit 3: 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.

You get InMails with LinkedIn Premium, LinkedIn Sales Navigator and LinkedIn Recruiter.

Here is the recap:

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.

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.

If you want to find Open Profiles in bulk, you need to use a LinkedIn scraper tool like GiveMeLeads.

Watch on YouTube

Send Good InMail 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.