What you need before you start

Creating a Gmail account takes about five minutes and requires only three things: a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge), an internet connection, and a phone number or existing email address. You do not need to download anything or pay money. Gmail is free.

If you already have a Google account — perhaps from YouTube, Google Drive, or another Google service — you already have a Gmail address. You can skip this guide and start using it right away. If you are starting completely fresh, follow the steps below.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to accounts.google.com/signup and fill in your name, desired Gmail address, password, and phone number or recovery email.
  • Google will send a verification code to your phone or email; enter it to confirm you own that number or address.
  • After verification, you can start using Gmail immediately at gmail.com or through the Gmail app on your phone.
  • Your Gmail address is your username for all Google services, including Drive, Photos, and YouTube.
  • You can change your recovery phone number or email later, but you cannot change your Gmail address itself.

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 fields for your first name, last name, desired Gmail address, and password. Do not go to gmail.com directly — that page assumes you already have an account.

Type your first and last name exactly as you want them to appear when you send emails. This is what people will see in their inbox when you write to them. You can change this later if you make a mistake.

Step 2: Choose your Gmail address

In the "Username" field, type the address you want. This is the part before @gmail.com — for example, if you type "sarah.martinez", your full address will be sarah.martinez@gmail.com. Gmail addresses can contain letters, numbers, and periods, but not spaces or special characters like hyphens or underscores.

If the address you want is already taken, Gmail will tell you immediately and suggest alternatives. You can accept one of the suggestions or try a different combination. Common workarounds are adding a number (sarah.martinez47) or using a period in a different spot (s.arah.martinez). Pick something you can remember and spell easily — you will type it many times.

Step 3: Create a strong password

In the "Password" field, type a password at least 8 characters long. Google will show you a strength meter as you type. A strong password includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, "BlueSky#2024!Home". Do not use your name, your birthday, or simple patterns like "123456" or "password".

Write your password down in a safe place, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it. If you forget it later, you can reset it using your phone number or recovery email, but that takes extra time. Type the password again in the "Confirm password" field to make sure you did not make a typo.

Step 4: Verify your phone number or email

Google will ask for a phone number or existing email address to verify your account. This is a security step — it proves you are a real person and gives you a way to recover your account if you forget your password. Type your phone number in the format Google shows (usually with your country code), or enter an email address you already use and can access right now.

Click "Send verification code". Google will text a code to your phone or email a code to your address. Open the text message or email, find the 6-digit code, and type it into the box on the signup page. If you do not see the code within a minute, check your spam folder or click "Resend code" to try again.

Step 5: Add recovery information and finish

After you enter the verification code, Google may ask for a recovery email address (different from the one you just verified) and your birthday. These are optional but recommended — they help you get back into your account if something goes wrong. Your birthday is not shown publicly; Google uses it only to verify your identity if you need to reset your password.

Review the Google Terms of Service and Privacy Policy if you want to understand how Google uses your data. Then click "Create account". You will see a welcome screen, and your Gmail account is now active. You can start using it immediately.

How to access your new Gmail account

Go to gmail.com and sign in with your new Gmail address and password. You will see an empty inbox. On the left side, you will see buttons to compose a new email, view your inbox, drafts, and sent mail. Gmail automatically saves drafts as you type, so you do not lose work if your browser closes.

If you want to use Gmail on your phone, download the Gmail app from the Apple App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). Open the app, tap "Add account", and sign in with your new Gmail address and password. The app will sync with the web version, so emails you read on your phone will show as read on your computer, and vice versa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address after I create it?

No. Your Gmail address is permanent and cannot be changed. You can create a new Gmail account with a different address if you want, but the old one stays yours. Choose carefully the first time.

What if I forget my password?

Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter your Gmail address. Google will ask you to verify your identity using your phone number or recovery email. After you verify, you can create a new password.

Can I use Gmail without a phone number?

Google requires either a phone number or an existing email address to verify your account during signup. You cannot skip this step. After your account is created, you can remove the phone number from your recovery options if you want, but you must provide one to set up the account.

Is Gmail really free?

Yes. Gmail is free to use. You get 15 gigabytes of storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. If you need more storage, Google offers paid plans, but you do not need them for basic email use.

What happens if I do not use my Gmail account for a long time?

Google may delete inactive accounts after two years of no activity. If you want to keep your account, sign in at least once every two years. This is rare, but it is worth remembering if you create an account you do not plan to use immediately.