Creating a Gmail account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address you don't yet have, a password, and a phone number for recovery
Gmail is Google's free email service. To use it, you create an account by giving Google a name, a new email address you want to use, a password, and a phone number they can contact you with if you get locked out. Once you finish those steps, you can log in and start sending and receiving email right away.
You do not need to own anything or pay anything. You do not need an existing email address to start. The whole process happens on Google's website in your web browser, and you can do it from any computer or phone.
Key Takeaways
- Go to accounts.google.com/signup and fill in your name, the email address you want to create, and a password you will remember.
- Google will ask for a phone number and will send you a code by text message to confirm you own that phone.
- After you verify your phone number, your account is ready to use immediately.
- You can log in to Gmail by going to gmail.com and entering your email address and password.
- Save your password somewhere safe, or use your browser's password manager so you do not forget it.
Step-by-step: Creating your account
Step 1: Go to the Gmail signup page. Open your web browser and go to accounts.google.com/signup. You will see a form with blank spaces to fill in.
Step 2: Enter your first and last name. Type your name in the "First name" and "Last name" boxes. Use the name you want to appear when you send emails. You can use your real name or any name you prefer.
Step 3: Create your email address. In the "Username" box, type the email address you want to use. This is the part that comes before the @ symbol. For example: john.smith or jane1985. Gmail will tell you right away if that name is already taken. If it is, try adding a number or a period to make it unique. Your full email address will be whatever you type, followed by @gmail.com.
Step 4: Create a strong password. In the "Password" box, type a password you will remember. Google will show you a strength meter — green means strong. A strong password has at least 8 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Do not use your name or birthdate. Write it down or save it in your browser's password manager so you do not forget it.
Step 5: Confirm your password. Type the same password again in the "Confirm password" box. If the two do not match, Google will tell you.
Step 6: Enter your phone number. Google asks for a phone number so they can send you a recovery code if you ever get locked out. Type your phone number in the box, including the area code. Select your country from the dropdown if it is not already set to the United States.
Step 7: Click "Next." Google will send a text message to your phone with a six-digit code.
Verifying your phone number
Check your phone for a text message from Google. It will contain a six-digit code. Open the browser window where you were signing up and type that code into the box labeled "Enter the code." Click "Verify."
If you do not receive the code within a few minutes, click "Didn't get a code?" and Google will offer to call your phone instead and read the code to you. If you still do not receive it, check that you typed your phone number correctly and try again.
Finishing setup and logging in
After you verify your phone number, Google may ask a few more questions about your account, like your birthday and recovery email address (another email where they can reach you). You can fill these in or skip them. Once you finish, your account is ready.
To log in to Gmail, go to gmail.com. Type your full email address (the part you created, plus @gmail.com) in the first box. Click "Next." Type your password in the second box. Click "Next" again. You are now in your Gmail inbox.
If you use the same computer regularly, Gmail will remember you after you log in once, so you will not have to type your password every time. If you use a shared computer, always click "Sign out" when you are done so nobody else can read your email.
What to do if you forget your password
If you forget your password, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Type your email address. Google will ask you to verify who you are by sending a code to your phone number or to a recovery email address you set up. Enter that code, and Google will let you create a new password.
This is why saving your phone number during signup matters — it is your way back in if you get locked out. If you no longer have access to that phone number, contact Google Support through their website and they can help you regain access to your account.
Using Gmail on your phone
You can check your Gmail on a phone by opening the Gmail app (available free from the App Store on iPhone or Google Play on Android) or by opening your phone's web browser and going to gmail.com. Log in with your email address and password. The app is usually easier because it saves your login and shows you new emails as they arrive.
If you use the Gmail app, you may need to give it permission to send you notifications so you know when new email arrives. The app will ask for this permission the first time you open it.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not forget your password immediately after creating it. Write it down or save it in your browser's password manager right away. If you close the browser before you write it down, you will have to reset it.
Do not use a phone number you do not have access to. Google needs to text you a code during signup, and you will need that phone number later if you ever get locked out. If you enter a wrong number by accident, you can go back and fix it before you click "Verify."
Do not use a password that is too simple, like "password123" or your birthdate. Google will warn you if your password is weak, and weak passwords are easier for others to guess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to use Gmail?
Gmail is part of Google, so creating a Gmail account automatically creates a Google account. You use the same email address and password to log into Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and other Google services. You do not need to create anything separate.
Can I change my email address after I create it?
No, you cannot change the part before @gmail.com once you create it. You can create a new Gmail account with a different address if you want, but you cannot rename an existing one. You can set up a recovery email address or phone number so you can get back in if you forget your password.
What if someone else already has the email address I want?
Gmail email addresses are unique — only one person can have each one. If the address you want is taken, try adding a period or a number. For example, if john.smith is taken, try john.smith1 or j.smith. Gmail treats periods differently in some cases, so john.smith and johnsmith might both be available.
Is Gmail safe to use?
Gmail has strong security built in. Google encrypts your email, checks for spam and viruses, and alerts you if someone tries to log into your account from a new device. To keep your account safe, use a strong password, do not share it with anyone, and log out when you use a shared computer.
Can I use Gmail without a phone number?
Google requires a phone number during signup so they can verify you are a real person and send you a recovery code if you get locked out. You cannot skip this step. The phone number does not have to be a smartphone — any phone that can receive text messages works.