How to Send an Email in Gmail
To send an email in Gmail: click the red 'Compose' button on the left. Type the recipient's email in the 'To' box. Type a short subject in the 'Subject' line. Type your message in the big white box. Click the blue 'Send' button at the bottom. Your email is sent instantly.
Practice it first — see exactly where to click
Below is a safe practice version of Send an Email in Gmail. Click through it as many times as you want — nothing happens to your real Gmail.
You're in! This is your Gmail inbox
This is what your real Gmail inbox looks like. Your emails appear in the list.
Click any email to open it. To write a new email, click the red 'Compose' button on the left.
Step-by-step instructions (read at your pace)
- 1
Click the red 'Compose' button
It's the big red or blue button in the top-left corner of Gmail. Click it.
- 2
Type the recipient's email
In the 'To' box, type the email address of the person you want to email. Like grandkid@gmail.com.
- 3
Add a subject
In the 'Subject' line, type a short description of your email — like 'Birthday wishes' or 'Doctor appointment'.
- 4
Write your message
Click in the big white box and type whatever you want to say. Don't worry about being formal — just write like you'd talk.
- 5
Add a photo (optional)
To attach a photo, click the small paperclip icon at the bottom of the compose window. Find your photo and click Open.
- 6
Click Send
When you're done, click the blue 'Send' button at the bottom-left. Your email is sent right away.
What if these steps didn't work?
Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.
❓ The Send button is grey and won't click
You probably haven't typed an email address in the 'To' box. Click 'To' and type at least one email — Send will turn blue.
❓ It says 'Address not found'
The recipient's email is misspelled or doesn't exist. Double-check the spelling. Common mistakes: missing letters, wrong domain (gmail.com vs yahoo.com).
❓ My photo is too big to send
Gmail allows up to 25 MB. For big videos or many photos, Gmail will automatically offer to send them via Google Drive — just click 'OK'.
❓ I sent it but want to take it back
Right after clicking Send, look at the bottom-left for a small black bar that says 'Undo'. You have about 5 seconds to click it. After that, the email is gone for good.
Common questions about how to send an email in gmail
Is sending email free in Gmail?+
Yes. Sending and receiving emails in Gmail is completely free — no charges, no per-message fees, no limits on how many emails you can send to friends and family.
How many people can I email at once?+
Up to 500 in a single email. Use the 'To' box for one or two recipients. For bigger lists, use 'Bcc' so each person can't see everyone else's email.
Can I send a photo from my phone with my email?+
Yes. On the Gmail app, tap the paperclip when composing. Pick 'Attach file' and choose photos from your phone's gallery.
What's the difference between To, Cc, and Bcc?+
To = the main person you're emailing. Cc = others who should see it (everyone sees who got it). Bcc = others who should see it but their address is hidden from everyone else.
Can I save a draft and finish later?+
Yes — Gmail saves your draft automatically. Close the compose window and your email goes into the 'Drafts' folder on the left. Click Drafts to find and finish it.
How do I know if my email was delivered?+
Most emails are delivered in seconds. If there's a problem, Gmail sends you a 'Delivery failed' message within minutes. No bad message = it went through.
Related Gmail help guides
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How to Attach a Photo to a Gmail Email
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Gmail Help for Seniors — All Your Questions Answered
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