Read receipts let you know when someone opens your email

A read receipt is a notification that comes back to you when the person you emailed opens your message. In Outlook, you can request read receipts on individual emails or set them to turn on automatically for all your messages. The person receiving your email will see a prompt asking whether to send you a receipt — they can choose to decline, so read receipts are not a may provide that someone actually read what you wrote.

Read receipts work in Outlook on Windows, Outlook on Mac, and Outlook on the web (the browser version). The steps differ slightly depending on which version you use, and some settings depend on your email account type.

Key Takeaways

  • You can request a read receipt on a single email before you send it, or turn on read receipts for all outgoing messages in your settings.
  • The recipient sees a prompt asking permission to send you a receipt — they can refuse, so read receipts are not reliable proof that someone read your message.
  • Read receipts work differently in Outlook on Windows, Outlook on Mac, and Outlook on the web, so check the steps for your version.
  • Some email account types, like older versions of Gmail or certain corporate accounts, may not support read receipts even if Outlook requests them.

Request a read receipt on a single email in Outlook on Windows

Open a new email message and write what you need to say. Before you click Send, look for the Options tab at the top of the message window. Click it, then look for a button or checkbox labeled Request a Read Receipt or Request Read Receipt — the exact wording depends on your Outlook version. Click it to turn it on, then send your message as usual.

When the recipient opens your email, they will see a dialog box asking "The sender of this message has requested a read receipt. Do you want to send a read receipt to the sender?" They can click Yes or No. If they click Yes, you will receive a notification in your inbox that says the message was read, along with the date and time.

Turn on read receipts for all emails in Outlook on Windows

If you want read receipts on every email you send without having to request them one at a time, you can set this in your account settings. Click File at the top left, then click Options. In the left sidebar, click Mail. Scroll down until you see a section called Tracking.

In the Tracking section, check the box next to Request a read receipt for all messages I send. You may also see a checkbox for Request a delivery receipt for all messages I send — delivery receipts confirm that your email reached the recipient's server, which is different from a read receipt. Check whichever boxes you want, then click OK at the bottom of the window.

Request a read receipt in Outlook on Mac

Open a new email message. At the top of the message window, click the Options button (it looks like three dots or a gear icon, depending on your Outlook version). Look for Request Read Receipt in the menu that appears and click it. A checkmark should appear next to it. Then send your message.

To turn on read receipts for all your emails on Mac, click Outlook in the top menu bar, then click Preferences. Find Mail in the list on the left, then look for Composing or Sending options. Check the box next to Request read receipt, then close the preferences window.

Request a read receipt in Outlook on the web

Open a new email message in your browser. Click the three dots or More options button near the Send button — it is usually at the bottom of the message. Look for Request a read receipt or Request read receipt in the menu. Click it to turn it on, then send your message.

Outlook on the web does not have a setting to request read receipts on all messages automatically. You will need to turn on the read receipt for each email individually if you want one.

What happens when someone declines to send a read receipt

If the recipient clicks No when asked to send a read receipt, you will not receive any notification. You will not know whether they declined or whether they straightforward have not opened the email yet. Some people decline read receipts as a privacy choice, and some email systems are set to decline them automatically.

If you need to know whether someone received and read your message, read receipts are not a reliable way to confirm that. A better approach is to ask the person directly in your email — for example, "Please let me know once you have reviewed this" — or to follow up with a phone call or message if the matter is urgent.

Why read receipts might not work

Even if you request a read receipt, you might not receive one. Some email providers and account types do not support read receipts, including certain Gmail accounts, some corporate email systems, and older email servers. If you send a read receipt request to someone using one of these accounts, they will not see a prompt, and you will not get a receipt back.

Read receipts also do not work if the recipient has turned off read receipts in their own email settings, or if their email client does not support them. If you regularly send messages to people who do not send read receipts back, it may be because their email system does not support them rather than because they are declining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see if someone declined my read receipt request?

No. If someone clicks No when asked to send a read receipt, you will receive no notification. You will not know whether they declined or whether they have not opened the email yet. There is no way to distinguish between the two.

Do read receipts work with Gmail accounts?

It depends on the Gmail account. Gmail accounts accessed through Outlook sometimes support read receipts, but many do not. If you are using a Gmail account in Outlook and your read receipt requests are not coming back, your account type may not support them.

What is the difference between a read receipt and a delivery receipt?

A delivery receipt confirms that your email reached the recipient's mail server. A read receipt confirms that the recipient opened your message. Delivery receipts are more reliable because they do not require the recipient to take any action.

If I turn on read receipts for all messages, will everyone know I requested one?

Yes. Every recipient will see a prompt asking whether to send you a read receipt. Some people find this intrusive, so consider whether you actually need read receipts on every message before turning on this setting.

Can I turn off read receipts after I send an email?

No. Once you send an email with a read receipt request, you cannot remove that request. If you change your mind, your only option is to send a follow-up email explaining that you did not need the receipt.