The fastest way to add a picture to your Outlook email

To add a picture to an email in Outlook, open a new message or reply, then click the Insert tab at the top. Select Pictures, choose This Device to pick a file from your computer, and select the image you want. The picture will appear in your email body where your cursor was positioned. You can resize it by dragging the corners, and move it by clicking and dragging it to a new spot.

This method works the same way in Outlook on Windows, Outlook on Mac, and Outlook on the web. The picture is embedded directly into the email, so the recipient will see it without needing to download anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the Insert tab, then Pictures, then This Device to add an image from your computer to an email.
  • You can resize a picture by dragging its corners and move it by clicking and dragging it anywhere in the email body.
  • Outlook embeds pictures directly in emails, so recipients see them without extra steps.
  • If you want to add a picture from the internet, use Insert > Pictures > Online Pictures instead of This Device.
  • Large image files can slow down email delivery, so consider resizing or compressing pictures before sending.

Adding a picture from your computer step by step

Start by opening Outlook and creating a new email or opening an existing one you want to reply to. Click anywhere in the message body where you want the picture to appear — this is where Outlook will insert the image.

At the top of the compose window, click the Insert tab. In the ribbon that appears, look for the Pictures button. Click it, then select This Device from the dropdown menu. A file browser window will open showing your computer's folders.

Navigate to the folder where your picture is saved — usually Pictures, Downloads, or Documents. Click the image file once to select it, then click the Insert button at the bottom right of the file browser. The picture will now appear in your email at the position where your cursor was.

Resizing and positioning your picture

Once a picture is in your email, you can make it larger or smaller. Click the picture once to select it — you will see small squares appear at the corners and edges. Drag any corner square outward to make the picture bigger, or inward to make it smaller. Dragging a corner keeps the picture's proportions correct, so it will not look stretched or squashed.

To move the picture to a different spot in your email, click it and drag it to the new location. You can also press Delete if you want to remove it entirely and start over.

If you need more control over how the picture sits in relation to your text, right-click the picture and select Wrap Text. This opens options for whether the text flows around the picture, sits behind it, or stays separate from it.

Adding a picture from the internet

If you want to insert a picture from a website instead of your computer, the process is similar but uses a different source. Click Insert, then Pictures, then Online Pictures.

A search box will appear. Type what you are looking for — for example, "sunset" or "company logo" — and Outlook will show results from Bing Image Search. Click the image you want, then click Insert. The picture will appear in your email the same way as one from your computer.

Be aware that using pictures from the internet may have copyright restrictions. Only use images you have permission to share, or images marked as free to use.

Why your picture might not appear in the email

Sometimes a picture you add will not show up for the person receiving your email. This usually happens because Outlook is set to send emails in plain text format instead of HTML format. Plain text emails cannot display pictures.

To fix this, click the Format Text tab at the top of your compose window and select HTML instead of Plain Text. Then add your picture again. The recipient will now see it.

Another reason a picture might not appear is file size. Very large image files can cause delivery problems or be blocked by email systems. If your picture is over 5 MB, consider using an online tool to compress it before sending, or resize it to a smaller width and height.

Attaching a picture versus embedding it

Adding a picture using the Insert method embeds it directly into the email body, which is what most people want. However, Outlook also lets you attach pictures as separate files. To attach instead of embed, click the Attach File button (usually a paperclip icon) and select your picture.

Attachments appear as separate files the recipient can download and save. Embedded pictures appear inline with your text. For most situations, embedding is better because the recipient sees the picture immediately without extra steps. Use attachments only if you want the recipient to have a separate copy of the full-resolution image file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add multiple pictures to one email?

Yes. Repeat the Insert > Pictures > This Device process as many times as you need. Each picture will appear where your cursor was positioned. You can then move and resize each one independently to arrange them however you want in the email body.

What image file types does Outlook accept?

Outlook accepts common image formats including JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and TIFF. If you have a picture in a different format, you can usually convert it using free online tools or image editing software before adding it to your email.

Why is my picture appearing as an attachment instead of in the email body?

This usually means your email is set to Plain Text format, which does not support embedded images. Switch to HTML format by clicking Format Text > HTML, then add your picture again using Insert > Pictures instead of using the Attach button.

Can I add a picture to an email signature?

Yes. Go to File > Options > Mail > Signatures (on Windows) or Outlook > Preferences > Signatures (on Mac). Click in the signature text box, then use Insert > Pictures to add an image. Save your signature, and it will appear in every new email you create.

How do I make a picture smaller in file size before sending?

Right-click the picture in your email and look for a "Compress Pictures" or "Picture Format" option. Outlook will show you compression settings that reduce file size while keeping the image visible. You can also use free online image compressors or your computer's built-in image editor before adding the picture to the email.