Students’ performance and behavior in online learning environment is associated with their readiness to opt digital learning approach. We in this research investigated distance learners’ emotional intelligence as a determinant of their readiness for online learning. 432 learners enrolled in correspondence based distance learning programs participated in the study. Wong and Law emotional intelligence scale (WLEIS) and online learning readiness scale (OLRS) were adapted with some modifications to collected the required data. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were done to achieve the research objectives. The findings illustrate that emotional intelligence has a large size effect on sampled students’ readiness for online learning.