Add a signature through Gmail settings

Open Gmail in your web browser and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select "See all settings," then click the "Signatures" tab. Click "Create new" and give your signature a name — something like "Work" or "Personal" so you can switch between them later. Type or paste the text you want to appear at the bottom of every email: your name, phone number, job title, or any closing phrase you prefer.

Once you've written your signature, scroll down and click "Save Changes." The signature is now ready to use. When you compose a new email, it will appear automatically at the bottom. If you created multiple signatures, you can choose which one to use before sending each message by clicking the signature dropdown in the compose window.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail signatures are added through Settings > Signatures, where you can create multiple versions and switch between them.
  • Your signature appears automatically at the bottom of every new email you send once you've saved it.
  • You can include text, links, and basic formatting like bold or italics, but Gmail does not support images or colored backgrounds in signatures.
  • If you use Gmail on your phone, you cannot create or edit signatures in the mobile app — you must use a web browser on a computer.

Format your signature with basic styling

Gmail's signature editor supports simple formatting. Highlight text and use the bold, italic, or underline buttons in the toolbar. You can also create a link by selecting text, clicking the link icon, and pasting a URL. These formatting choices will carry through to your emails.

Keep in mind that Gmail does not allow you to insert images, change background colors, or use custom fonts in signatures. If you need a logo or colored design, you'll have to add it manually to each email, or use a third-party tool like Canva to create an image file and attach it separately.

Use different signatures for different email accounts

If you manage multiple Gmail accounts, you can set a different signature for each one. Log into the first account, go to Settings > Signatures, and create a signature for that account. Then log out, log into your second Gmail account, and repeat the process. Each account will remember its own signature.

When you switch between accounts in Gmail, the correct signature for that account will load automatically. This is useful if you have a work email and a personal email, or if you manage accounts for different projects or organizations.

Turn off automatic signatures if you prefer

By default, your signature appears on every new email you send. If you want to use a signature only sometimes, you can change this. Go to Settings > Signatures and uncheck the box next to "Automatically add a signature to all outgoing messages." Now your signature will appear in the compose window, but you can delete it before sending if you don't want it on that particular email.

This option is helpful if you send both formal and casual emails from the same account. You can keep your signature available but choose when to include it.

Add a signature on the Gmail mobile app

The Gmail app on your phone does not have a built-in way to create signatures. However, you can set a signature on your computer and it will appear automatically when you send emails from the mobile app. Open Gmail in a web browser on your computer, create your signature in Settings, and save it. From that point on, the signature will be added to every email you send through the mobile app.

If you need to change your signature while using only your phone, you'll need to open Gmail in a mobile web browser (not the app) and go through the Settings menu the same way you would on a computer.

Troubleshoot signatures that don't appear

If your signature isn't showing up, first check that you've saved your changes. Go back to Settings > Signatures and confirm the signature is listed there. If it is, refresh your Gmail page and try composing a new email — the signature should appear at the bottom of the compose window.

If you're using Gmail through a third-party email client like Outlook or Apple Mail, signatures may not sync automatically. In that case, you'll need to add a signature directly in that email program's settings instead. Gmail's signature feature only works when you compose emails through Gmail's website or app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add an image or logo to my Gmail signature?

Gmail's built-in signature editor does not support images. If you need a logo, create an image file in a design tool, save it, and attach it to your email manually each time. Some third-party email tools offer image support, but they require additional setup outside of Gmail.

What happens to my signature if I delete my Gmail account?

When you delete a Gmail account, the signature is deleted with it. If you want to keep a copy, write it down or save it to a document before closing the account. You can then paste it into a new account's signature settings later.

Can I use HTML code in my Gmail signature?

Gmail's signature editor does not accept raw HTML code. You can use the formatting buttons in the editor to make text bold, italic, or underlined, and you can add links, but you cannot paste HTML directly. If you need advanced formatting, you may need to use a third-party email tool.

Will my signature appear on emails I forward or reply to?

By default, your signature appears only on new emails you compose. When you reply to or forward an existing email, the signature does not automatically appear. You can add it manually if you want it on a reply, but most people leave signatures off replies to keep the conversation shorter.