Mailchimp Free Plan Limits and Sending Paused

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Reduce contacts under 250

   Copy steps
   1. Audience > All contacts: segment inactive contacts
   2. Archive them: archived contacts are removed from the billable audience
   3. Merge duplicate audiences so one person counts once
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Spread sends across days

   Copy steps
   1. Daily cap is 250 emails, monthly cap is 500
   2. Schedule large sends on separate days or segment the list
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Upgrade or move

   Copy steps
   1. Essentials starts at $13/month for 500 contacts
   2. Compare MailerLite or Brevo free plans if your list is above 250
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

Campaigns won't send or you get an over-limit warning on the Free plan, even with a small list.

Why it happens

• Free plan was cut from 500 contacts and 1,000 sends to 250 and 500 in early 2026
• A person in two audiences counts as two contacts
• Test emails and automations count toward sends
• Unsubscribed contacts still count unless archived

This guide also covers

• mailchimp free plan limits
• mailchimp free plan 250 contacts
• mailchimp sending paused
• mailchimp over limit

Other Mailchimp errors

• How to Cancel Mailchimp Subscription
• Mailchimp Emails Going to Spam
• Mailchimp Domain Authentication Failed
• Mailchimp Account Suspended or Disabled
• Why Is Mailchimp So Expensive? Reduce Billable Contacts
• Mailchimp Contact Import Not Working
• Mailchimp Automation Not Sending
• Mailchimp Campaign Stuck Sending or Not Delivered