How to Send & Reply to Emails Using Gmail: Desktop & Mobile

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Learn how to write, format, and send an email using Gmail
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If you're new to Gmail, you may be wondering how to send an email using it. Thankfully, using Gmail is super easy once you know the ropes! You can use the Gmail website to send an email from a computer, or you can use the Gmail mobile app to send an email from a smartphone or tablet. In this article, we'll go over how to send and reply to emails via both the Gmail website and mobile app. Read on to learn more.

Sending Emails with Gmail

Open Gmail and click or tap the Compose button to begin. Enter your email recipients in the "To" field, and type a title/summary of your email's purpose in the "Subject" field. Under the subject field, you can write your email message. Format the text or attach files as needed, then click the Send button (or paper airplane on mobile) to send the message.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Sending a Gmail on Desktop

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  1. Go to gmail.com/ in your computer's web browser. This will open your Gmail inbox if you're logged in .
    • If you aren't logged into your Gmail account, enter your email address and password when prompted.
  2. 2
    Click Compose . It's in the upper-left side of your Gmail inbox, and the button has an icon of a pencil. Doing so opens a "New Message" window in the lower-right corner of the page. [1]
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  3. Click the "To" or "Recipients" text box at the top of the New Message window, then type in the email address of the person to whom you want to send your email. [2]
    • To add multiple email addresses , type in the first email address, press Tab ↹ , and repeat with the other email addresses.
    • If you want to Cc or Bcc someone on the email, click either the Cc link or the Bcc link in the far-right side of the "To" text field. Then, enter the email of the person you want to Cc/Bcc.
      • "Cc" stands for "carbon copy." If you add an email address in the Cc field, they will get a copy of the email you sent while also being able to see who else the email was sent to or Cc'd to.
        • Cc'ing and adding multiple addresses to the "To" field are functionally the same. However, in some settings (usually in the workplace), the people addressed in the "To" field are meant to reply to the email, while anyone in the "Cc" field is just meant to view the email (though they might need to reply in certain instances).
      • "Bcc" stands for "blind carbon copy." If you Bcc someone, they'll get a copy of your email, and they'll see any address in the "To" field and "Cc" field, but they won't see other addresses in the "Bcc" field.
        • If you want to send an email to multiple people without them knowing who else the email has been sent to, you'll want to use the Bcc field.
  4. Click the "Subject" text field, then type in whatever you want the subject of the email to be. [3]
    • Typically speaking, an email subject describes the gist of the email's message in a few words.
  5. In the large text box below the "Subject" text box, type in whatever you want for your email message. [4]
  6. If you want to apply formatting to your text (e.g., bolding, italics, or bullet points), highlight the text to which you want to apply the formatting, then click one of the formatting options at the bottom of the email window. [5]
    • For example, to bold a section of text, you would highlight the text and then click B at the bottom of the email.
  7. To add a file from your computer to the email, click the "Attachments"icon at the bottom of the window, then select the file(s) you want to upload and click Open (or Choose on a Mac). [6]
    • You can add photos in this way, or you can upload photos directly to the email's body by clicking the "Photos" iconat the bottom of the window, clicking Upload , clicking Choose photos to upload , and selecting photos as needed.
  8. It's a blue button in the bottom-left corner of the email window. Doing so will send your email to the specified email address(es). [7]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Replying to a Gmail on Desktop

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  1. 1
    Click on the email message you want to reply to. If you can't find the email you want to respond to, use the search bar at the top of the window, or click through the tabs in your Gmail. Your Gmail is divided up into your Primary inbox, a Promotions inbox (which holds mostly marketing emails), a Social inbox (which holds mostly email notifications from social media sites), and an Updates inbox by default.
  2. 2
    Click the Reply button. This button can be found in two spots:
    • At the bottom of the email, you'll see a button that says Reply with a left-facing arrow.
    • At the top of the email, in the upper-right corner, you'll see a left-facing arrow between a smiley face icon and a three-dot icon. The arrow button is the reply button.
      • After you click Reply , a reply field will appear at the bottom of the email.
  3. 3
    Add any additional recipients, if desired. By default, the person you're replying to will be in the recipients field, but you can add more addresses to this field if you want to send your reply to more than one person.
    • After clicking into the recipients field, you'll see buttons appear for Cc and Bcc . If you want to Cc or Bcc someone, click the appropriate button and enter their email address in the field.
  4. 4
    Write your reply in the box below the recipients field. You can format your text by using the bar at the bottom of the reply field. You can change your message's font family, font size, font style, and more.
  5. 5
    Attach a file, if you want. If you need to attach a file, click the paperclip icon. You can then browse for any file you want to attach. However, if the file is too large, you'll be warned that it will need to be sent as a Google Drive attachment.
  6. 6
    Click Send when the reply is complete. If you want to schedule your reply, you can click the arrow next to the Send button and click Schedule send to choose a future date and time for the reply to be sent.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Sending a Gmail on Mobile

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  1. Tap the Gmail app icon, which resembles a multicolored "M" on a white background. This will open your Gmail inbox if you're logged in.
    • If you aren't logged in, select your account and/or enter your email address and password to log in.
  2. It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen, and the button has an icon of a pencil on it. Doing so brings up a new message window. [8]
  3. Tap the "To" text box, then type in the email address of the person to whom you want to send an email. [9]
    • If you want to CC or BCC anyone on the email, tapon the far-right side of the "To" text box, tap either Cc or Bcc , and type in the email address you want to use.
      • "Cc" stands for "carbon copy." If you add an email address in the Cc field, they will get a copy of the email you sent while also being able to see who else the email was sent to or Cc'd to.
        • Cc'ing and adding multiple addresses to the "To" field are functionally the same. However, in some settings (usually in the workplace), the people addressed in the "To" field are meant to reply to the email, while anyone in the "Cc" field is just meant to view the email (though they might need to reply in certain instances).
      • "Bcc" stands for "blind carbon copy." If you Bcc someone, they'll get a copy of your email, and they'll see any address in the "To" field and "Cc" field, but they won't see other addresses in the "Bcc" field.
        • If you want to send an email to multiple people without them knowing who else the email has been sent to, you'll want to use the Bcc field.
  4. Tap the "Subject" text box, then enter the subject you want to use. [10]
    • Generally, a subject summarizes the email in a few words.
  5. Tap the "Compose email" text box, then type in whatever you want to use for your email. [11]
  6. If you want to place a file or photo in your email, do the following: [12]
    • Tapat the top of the screen.
    • Tap Camera roll (iPhone) or Attach file (Android).
    • Select the photo or file you want to use.
  7. It's a paper plane-shaped icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Your email will be sent. [13]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Replying to a Gmail on Mobile

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  1. 1
    Tap on the email message you want to reply to. If you can't find the email you want to respond to, use the search bar at the top of the window.
  2. 2
    Tap the Reply button. This button can be found in two spots:
    • At the bottom of the email, you'll see a button that says Reply with a left-facing arrow.
    • At the top of the email, in the upper-right corner, you'll see a left-facing arrow between a smiley face icon and a three-dot icon. The arrow button is the reply button.
      • After you tap Reply , a new page will open with a blank email reply.
  3. 3
    Add any additional recipients, if desired. By default, the person you're replying to will be in the recipients field, but you can add more addresses to this field if you want to send your reply to more than one person.
    • After tapping the recipients field, tap the arrow to see buttons for Cc and Bcc . If you want to Cc or Bcc someone, tap the appropriate button and enter their email address in the field.
  4. 4
    Write your reply in the box below the subject. You'll see the rest of the email thread already in the reply box. It's usually best practice to leave this text, but you can delete it if you prefer.
  5. 5
    Attach a file, if you want. If you need to attach a file, tap the paperclip icon at the top of the screen. You can then browse for any file you want to attach. However, if the file is too large, you'll be warned that it will need to be sent as a Google Drive attachment.
  6. 6
    Tap the paper airplane button at the top of the screen to send the reply. If you want to schedule your reply, tap the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner and choose Schedule send . You can then choose a future time and date for the reply to be sent.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the use of the word "regards"?
    Community Answer
    It means to consider someone in a certain way, usually in positive way. "Best regards," or "Regards," are a common way to end a letter before signing one's name.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 64
  • Question
    I want to send some files -- what do I write in the subject line?
    Community Answer
    Add your files first. At the bottom of the email you want to send, you see a paperclip icon. Click it, and select what files you want to send. In the subject line, you can write: Attachments for your consideration or something similar. If it is time critical, make that clear in the subject line too.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    How do I know if my email is sent?
    Community Answer
    You can check for it in the "Sent Mail" folder. If you don't find it there, your email was not sent.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      • Bcc'd emails will not reveal the Bcc'd person's email address if a recipient tries to view all other recipients. [14]
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      • Make sure your email is appropriate. Never give away your address, phone number, etc. in an email unless it's a close friend or family member you're emailing.
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      • If you want to save your email as a draft on desktop, wait for "Saved" to appear next to the trash can icon in the lower-right side of the email window, then click X in the top-right corner of the window. Your email will be saved in the Drafts folder on the left side of the inbox.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/gmail/sending-email/1/
      2. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/gmail/sending-email/1/
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/2819488?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop
      4. ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/gmail/sending-email/1/
      5. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/business-email-format
      6. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/6584?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop
      7. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/2819488?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop
      8. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/2819488?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android
      9. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/2819488?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android
      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/2819488?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/2819488?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/6584?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=iOS
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/mail/answer/2819488?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android
      5. ↑ https://www.technology.pitt.edu/help-desk/how-to-documents/using-blind-carbon-copy-bcc-feature-protect-privacy-email-addresses

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Sign in to Gmail.
      2. Click Compose .
      3. Enter the recipient's email address.
      4. Type a subject line.
      5. Type a message.
      6. Click the paperclip to insert an attachment.
      7. Use the bar along the button to format the text.
      8. Click Send .

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