Add a signature in three steps

Open Gmail and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Click See all settings, then select the Signatures tab. Type or paste your signature text in the box, then scroll down and click Save Changes. Your signature will now appear at the bottom of every email you send.

If you use multiple Gmail accounts or want different signatures for different purposes, Gmail lets you create more than one. You can also choose which signature appears by default and which one you use for specific emails.

Key Takeaways

  • Signatures are added through Settings > Signatures, and they appear automatically at the bottom of every outgoing email.
  • You can create multiple signatures and choose which one to use for each email you send.
  • Gmail signatures support basic formatting like bold, italic, links, and images.
  • If you use Gmail on your phone, you can add a signature through the mobile app's settings menu.

Where to find the Signatures setting

The Signatures tab lives in Gmail Settings, but it is not on the main settings page. After clicking the gear icon and selecting See all settings, look for the Signatures tab near the top of the page, between Labels and Forwarding and POP/IMAP. If you do not see it, scroll right through the tabs — on smaller screens it may be hidden.

Once you are on the Signatures tab, you will see a box labeled Create new if you have not yet added a signature. Click that to start, or if you already have one, you can edit it directly in the text box below your email address.

Format your signature with text and images

The signature box accepts plain text, but you can also add formatting. Use the toolbar above the text box to make text bold or italic, create links, change text color, or add a line break. You can also insert an image by clicking the image icon — this is useful if you want to add a company logo or a small photo.

Keep in mind that very large images or complex formatting can make your emails slow to load for recipients, especially on mobile phones. A simple text signature with your name, title, phone number, and website link is usually the safest choice. If you do add an image, keep it under 100 pixels wide so it does not take up too much space.

Create multiple signatures for different uses

If you manage multiple Gmail accounts or want different signatures for work and personal emails, you can create as many signatures as you need. On the Signatures tab, click Create new and give it a name — for example, "Work" or "Personal". Type the signature text, then click Save Changes.

When you compose a new email, a dropdown menu will appear near the bottom of the compose window showing all your signatures. Select the one you want to use, or set a default signature that appears automatically. To set a default, go back to Settings > Signatures and use the dropdown next to each email address to choose which signature loads by default.

Set a default signature

If you have created multiple signatures, you can pick one to appear automatically in every new email. On the Signatures tab, find the dropdown menu next to your email address and select the signature you want to use by default. Leave it set to -- No signature -- if you prefer to choose manually each time you send an email.

This setting applies only to new emails you compose. When you reply to or forward an existing email, Gmail will still add your default signature unless you remove it before sending.

Add a signature on Gmail mobile

If you use the Gmail app on your phone or tablet, you can add a signature through the app settings. Open the Gmail app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to Settings, select your email address, then tap Signature. Type your signature text and tap the back arrow to save.

Mobile signatures work the same way as desktop signatures — they appear at the bottom of every email you send from that account. If you create a signature on your computer, it will also show up on your phone, and changes you make on your phone will sync to your computer.

Troubleshoot signature problems

If your signature is not appearing in emails you send, first check that you clicked Save Changes at the bottom of the Signatures tab — this is the most common reason signatures do not show up. If you have multiple signatures, make sure you selected the right one from the dropdown when composing the email.

If you are using Gmail filters or labels to organize your mail, those do not affect signatures. Signatures also do not appear in draft emails until you send them. If you are forwarding or replying to an email and your signature does not show, scroll down in the compose window — it may be below the original message text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use HTML code in my Gmail signature?

Gmail does not provide a way to paste raw HTML directly into the signature box. However, you can use the formatting toolbar to create links, change colors, and add images. If you need advanced HTML formatting, you can paste formatted text from a word processor and Gmail will preserve most of the formatting.

Will my signature appear in emails I send to myself?

Yes, your signature will appear in emails you send to yourself just as it does in emails to other people. This is useful for testing how your signature looks before sending it to others.

What happens to my signature if I change my Gmail password?

Your signature is stored separately from your password, so changing your password will not affect it. Your signature will continue to appear in all outgoing emails after you change your password.

Can I add a signature to emails I receive?

No, signatures only appear on emails you send. You cannot add a signature to incoming emails or replies that other people have sent you.

Does my signature count toward Gmail's storage limit?

Signatures are stored in your Gmail settings, not in your mailbox, so they do not use any of your storage space. You can have as many signatures as you need without affecting how much mail you can store.