Gmail folders are called labels, and you create them in three steps

Gmail does not use traditional folders. Instead, it uses labels — tags you attach to messages so you can find and sort them later. Creating a label takes about 30 seconds and works on any device where you use Gmail.

The fastest way is to create a label while you are reading an email. Open any message, click the label icon (it looks like a tag), type a new name, and press Enter. Gmail saves it immediately and applies it to that message. You can also create labels from the settings menu if you want to set them up before you start labeling messages.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail labels are created by clicking the tag icon on any open email, typing a name, and pressing Enter.
  • You can create nested labels — labels within labels — by using a forward slash in the name, like "Projects/Work" or "Receipts/Medical".
  • Labels appear in your left sidebar once created, and you can drag them to reorder how they display.
  • A single email can have multiple labels at once, so one message can belong to several categories without being copied.

Creating a label from an open email

Open the email you want to label. At the top of the message, look for the tag icon — it is in the toolbar next to the archive button and the delete button. Click it.

A dropdown menu appears with any labels you have already created. At the bottom of that menu, click "Create new". Type the name you want — something like "Invoices", "Travel", or "Follow Up". Press Enter. Gmail creates the label and attaches it to the email in one action.

The label now appears in your sidebar on the left. Any time you want to see all emails with that label, click it. Gmail shows you every message tagged with it, regardless of which folder they arrived in.

Creating a label from the settings menu

If you want to create labels before you start using them, go to Gmail settings. Click the gear icon in the top right corner of any Gmail page, then click "See all settings".

Click the "Labels" tab. Scroll down to the bottom where it says "Create new label". Type the name and click "Create". The label appears in your sidebar immediately, even though no emails have it yet. You can now click it and start labeling messages, or leave it empty until you need it.

Organizing labels with nested folders

Gmail lets you create labels within labels by using a forward slash in the name. For example, if you type "Projects/Work", Gmail creates a "Projects" label with "Work" nested underneath it. In your sidebar, you see "Projects" with a small arrow you can click to expand and collapse the "Work" label.

This is useful when you have many related labels. You might create "Receipts/Medical", "Receipts/Groceries", and "Receipts/Travel" — all nested under one "Receipts" category. Your sidebar stays cleaner, and related labels stay grouped together.

You can nest labels as deep as you want. "Projects/Work/2024/January" is valid, though most people find two or three levels enough.

Labeling multiple emails at once

You do not have to label emails one at a time. Open Gmail and look at your inbox or any folder. Click the checkbox next to the first email you want to label. Click the checkboxes next to any other emails you want to label together.

At the top of the email list, a toolbar appears with action buttons. Click the label icon (the tag). A dropdown shows your existing labels. Click the one you want, or click "Create new" to make a new label and apply it to all selected emails at once. Gmail labels all of them instantly.

Removing and renaming labels

To remove a label from a single email, open the email and click the label icon. Click the X next to the label name. The label stays in your sidebar — it just no longer applies to that email.

To delete a label entirely, go to Settings > Labels. Find the label in the list and click "Delete". Gmail asks whether you want to delete the label and remove it from all emails, or just delete the label itself and keep the emails. Choose what you want and confirm.

To rename a label, go to Settings > Labels, find it in the list, and click "Edit". Type the new name and click "Save". Gmail updates the name everywhere it appears.

Labels versus Gmail's built-in folders

Gmail has a few built-in categories that work differently from labels you create. "All Mail" shows every email you have ever received. "Sent Mail" shows emails you sent. "Drafts" shows unsent messages. "Spam" and "Trash" are automatic — Gmail puts suspected spam and deleted emails there.

These built-in folders cannot be deleted or renamed. But you can create labels that work alongside them. Many people use labels for projects and topics, while letting Gmail's automatic sorting handle spam and trash. You can also use Gmail's automatic filters to apply labels to incoming mail based on sender, subject line, or keywords — but that is a separate feature covered elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same label on multiple emails?

Yes. A single label can be attached to as many emails as you want. One email can also have multiple labels at once. For example, an invoice from a medical supplier could have both "Receipts" and "Medical" labels.

Do labels take up storage space?

No. Labels are just tags — they do not duplicate your emails or use extra storage. Gmail counts storage based on the actual emails and attachments you have, not on how many labels you create or use.

Can I see all emails with a specific label across different devices?

Yes. Labels sync across all devices where you use Gmail — phone, tablet, computer, or web browser. Label an email on your phone and it appears labeled on your computer too.

What happens to a label if I delete all emails with that label?

The label stays in your sidebar even if no emails have it. You can keep it for future use or delete it from Settings > Labels if you no longer need it.

Can I move a label to a different position in my sidebar?

Yes. Click and drag any label in your sidebar to reorder it. Gmail remembers the order you set and keeps it that way on all your devices.