What you need before you start

To open a Gmail account, you need a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge all work), an internet connection, and about five minutes. You'll also need to choose a username — the part before @gmail.com — and create a password. Gmail will ask for a phone number and a recovery email address, though the recovery email is optional.

You don't need to own anything else or pay anything. Gmail is free, and Google doesn't charge to create an account or use the email service itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to accounts.google.com/signup and fill in your name, desired email address, and password on the first screen.
  • Google will ask you to verify a phone number by text message — this is the step that takes the longest and usually takes a few minutes.
  • Your username (the part before @gmail.com) must be unique across all Gmail users, so common names may already be taken.
  • Once you verify your phone number, your account is active and you can start sending and receiving email immediately.

Step-by-step: Creating your account

Open a web browser and go to accounts.google.com/signup. You'll see a form with four fields: First name, Last name, Username, and Password.

Type your first and last name in the first two fields. For Username, type the email address you want — for example, "sarah.martinez" or "jsmith2024". This is what people will type to send you email. If the name you want is already taken, Gmail will suggest alternatives with numbers added. Choose one and click Next.

On the next screen, create a password. Use at least eight characters, and mix in uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #) to make it harder to guess. Write it down somewhere safe, or use a password manager if you have one. Click Next.

Verifying your phone number

Google will ask for a phone number and ask how you want to receive a verification code — by text message or by phone call. Text message is faster. Type your phone number and click Send code.

You'll receive a text with a six-digit code within a minute or two. Type that code into the box on the screen and click Verify. This step confirms you own the phone number and helps Google keep your account secure.

If you don't receive the code within two minutes, click "Didn't get it?" and choose to receive the code by phone call instead. The automated call will read the code aloud.

Adding recovery information (optional but recommended)

After verification, Google will ask for a recovery email address — a different email account where Google can reach you if you get locked out. This is optional, but it's worth adding. Type in an email address you already use and click Next.

You'll also see a screen asking for your birth date and gender. These help Google protect your account and are required to finish setup. Click Next.

Reviewing Google's terms and finishing

Google will show you its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You don't need to read all of it right now, but the key point is that Google reads your email to show you targeted ads — that's how they make money from free email. If that concerns you, you can adjust ad settings later in your account. Click "I agree" to finish creating your account.

Your Gmail account is now active. You'll be taken to your inbox, which is empty. You can start sending and receiving email right away.

What to do after you create your account

Your first step should be to add a profile picture and fill in a recovery phone number if you haven't already. Click your profile icon (usually a circle in the top right corner) and select "Manage your Google Account". Go to the Personal info tab and add a phone number and recovery email if you skipped them during setup.

Next, set up two-factor authentication to make your account harder to hack. In the same Personal info section, find "Security" and turn on 2-Step Verification. This means Google will ask for a code from your phone whenever you sign in from a new device.

Finally, tell the people you know your new email address so they can start sending you messages. Gmail will also let you import contacts from other email accounts if you have them — look for the Contacts app in the Google apps menu (the grid icon in the top right).

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the username I want is already taken?

Gmail will suggest alternatives with numbers added to the end. You can accept one of those suggestions or try a different username entirely. Usernames are first-come, first-served across all Gmail users worldwide, so very common names are usually taken.

Can I change my Gmail address after I create it?

No, you cannot change the @gmail.com address itself once it's created. You can create a new Gmail account with a different address, but you'll need to tell people the new address and update it anywhere you've used the old one. You can set up email forwarding from the old account to the new one for a while.

Do I have to give Google my real name?

Google asks for your real name during signup, but you can type anything. However, if you ever need to recover your account, Google may ask you to confirm the name you entered, so using something you'll remember is practical.

What happens if I forget my password?

Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and type your email address. Google will send a recovery code to your phone number or recovery email address. Type that code and create a new password. This is why adding a recovery phone number during setup matters.

Is Gmail safe to use?

Gmail has strong security built in — Google encrypts your email and scans for spam and malware automatically. The main risk is your own password: if someone guesses it, they can read your email. Use a strong, unique password and turn on two-factor authentication to protect yourself.