Forward an entire email as an attachment

Gmail does not have a button labeled "attach email," but you can send a complete email — with all its original attachments — to someone else in two ways. The first is to forward the message normally, which includes everything. The second is to attach the original email as a file, which is useful when you want the recipient to see the exact message as it arrived, with headers and metadata intact.

To forward an email with its attachments, open the message and click the forward arrow (three left-pointing lines) near the top. Gmail will open a compose window with the original message quoted below. Any attachments from the original email appear in the attachment area at the bottom of the compose window. You can add more attachments, edit the message, and send it as normal.

If you need to send the email as a file rather than quoted text, open the message, click the three-dot menu in the top right, and select "Forward as attachment." Gmail will create a new compose window with the original email attached as a .eml file. This preserves the complete original message including headers, which is helpful when forwarding to someone who needs to see exactly how the email arrived.

Key Takeaways

  • Forwarding a message automatically includes all its original attachments without extra steps.
  • Use "Forward as attachment" from the three-dot menu to send the entire email as a single .eml file instead of quoted text.
  • You can add new attachments to a forwarded message before sending it.
  • The .eml format preserves the original email's headers and metadata, useful for documentation or when the recipient needs the exact original.
  • Gmail does not support attaching multiple separate emails at once — forward them one at a time or use "Forward as attachment" for each.

Attaching files to a new email you are composing

If you are writing a new email and want to attach a file, click the paperclip icon at the bottom of the compose window. Gmail opens a file browser where you can select files from your computer, Google Drive, or recent files. You can attach multiple files in one email — Gmail accepts up to 25 MB total per message.

Drag and drop also works: open the compose window, then drag files from your computer directly into the message area. Gmail will add them to the attachment section automatically. If a file is larger than 25 MB, Gmail will offer to upload it to Google Drive instead and insert a shareable link in the email.

When you cannot attach a file

Gmail blocks certain file types for security reasons. Executable files (.exe, .bat, .com), script files (.js, .vbs), and some archive formats cannot be attached directly. If you need to send a blocked file type, compress it into a .zip file, upload it to Google Drive and share the link, or rename the file extension (though the recipient will need to rename it back before opening).

If Gmail says a file is too large, check the file size. Files over 25 MB will trigger the Google Drive option. For files between 25 MB and 5 GB, Gmail will upload to Drive and create a shareable link automatically. Files larger than 5 GB cannot be sent through Gmail at all — use Google Drive's folder sharing or another file transfer service instead.

Attaching files from Google Drive

Click the Google Drive icon (a triangle) at the bottom of the compose window to attach files stored in your Drive without downloading them first. Gmail shows your recent files and a search box. Select the file you want, and Gmail inserts a link to it in the email. The recipient can open the file directly if you have shared the Drive file with them, or they will see a request to access it.

This method is faster for large files and keeps everything in one place. If you attach a Drive file and later change the permissions or delete it, the recipient's access changes too — they will no longer be able to open the link. Make sure the recipient has the access level you intend before sending.

Sending multiple attachments at once

You can attach as many files as you want in a single email, as long as the total does not exceed 25 MB. Click the paperclip icon and select multiple files from your computer at once — most file browsers let you hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click each file you want. Drag and drop works the same way: drag several files into the compose window together, and Gmail adds them all.

If you are attaching many files and the total size is close to the limit, Gmail will warn you before you send. You can remove individual attachments by clicking the X next to each file name in the attachment area. If you realize you need to swap out a file, delete the old one and click the paperclip to add a replacement.

Viewing and managing attachments before you send

Before sending an email with attachments, scroll down in the compose window to see the attachment area. Each file shows its name and size. Click any attachment to preview it if Gmail supports that file type — images, PDFs, and documents show a thumbnail. This gives you a chance to confirm you are sending the right files.

If you need to remove an attachment, click the X next to its name. If you need to replace a file, delete the old one and click the paperclip to add the new one. Gmail will not let you send until you have resolved any attachment issues, so you will see an error message if something is wrong before the email leaves your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attach an email to another email in Gmail?

Yes. Open the email you want to send, click the three-dot menu, and select "Forward as attachment." This sends the entire original email as a .eml file. Alternatively, forward the email normally, which includes the original message and all its attachments in quoted form.

What is the maximum file size I can attach?

Gmail accepts up to 25 MB per email. Files larger than 25 MB trigger an automatic upload to Google Drive, and Gmail inserts a shareable link instead. Files larger than 5 GB cannot be sent through Gmail.

Why can't I attach a certain file type?

Gmail blocks executable files (.exe, .bat), scripts (.js, .vbs), and some archive formats for security. Compress the file into a .zip, upload it to Google Drive and share the link, or use a different file transfer method.

Do attachments count toward my Gmail storage?

No. Attachments you send or receive do not count against your Gmail storage quota. Only emails you compose and save as drafts use storage space.

If I attach a Google Drive file, what happens if I delete it later?

The recipient will no longer be able to open the link. Make sure you want the file to remain accessible before sending a Drive link, or read the file and attach it directly instead.