diff --git a/ui/src/stores/messages.test.ts b/ui/src/stores/messages.test.ts
index df6533e..aca02a6 100644
--- a/ui/src/stores/messages.test.ts
+++ b/ui/src/stores/messages.test.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ const {
   UNDO_WINDOW_MS,
   clearFilters,
   clearInbox,
+  clearInboxPrompt,
   connectWebSocket,
   disconnectWebSocket,
   deleteWithUndo,
@@ -2436,3 +2437,32 @@ describe("read notices", () => {
     );
   });
 });
+
+describe("clearInboxPrompt", () => {
+  const everything =
+    "Every message in the inbox will be permanently deleted, including those outside the current search and filters.";
+
+  it("counts the inbox when nothing narrows the list", async () => {
+    await seed(range(3));
+
+    expect(clearInboxPrompt().message).toBe(
+      "All 3 messages will be permanently deleted.",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("does not quote a filtered total for a clear that deletes everything", async () => {
+    await seed(range(100));
+    listMessages.mockResolvedValue(page(range(2), 2));
+    toggleFilter("starred");
+    await vi.waitFor(() => expect(total()).toBe(2));
+
+    expect(clearInboxPrompt().message).toBe(everything);
+  });
+
+  it("does not quote a search total for a clear that deletes everything", async () => {
+    await seed(range(100));
+    setSearch("invoice");
+
+    expect(clearInboxPrompt().message).toBe(everything);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/ui/src/stores/messages.ts b/ui/src/stores/messages.ts
index 00dbefa..9bfcedb 100644
--- a/ui/src/stores/messages.ts
+++ b/ui/src/stores/messages.ts
@@ -517,7 +517,10 @@ function quoted(id: string): string {
 function clearInboxPrompt(): ConfirmDialogOptions {
   return {
     title: "Clear all messages",
-    message: `All ${total()} messages will be permanently deleted.`,
+    message:
+      search() || hasActiveFilters()
+        ? "Every message in the inbox will be permanently deleted, including those outside the current search and filters."
+        : `All ${total()} messages will be permanently deleted.`,
     confirmLabel: "Clear all",
   };
 }