The basic steps for attaching an image

To attach an image to an email, open a new message in your email program, then look for an attachment button — usually a paperclip icon or a plus sign. Click it, navigate to the folder where your image is saved, select the image file, and click Open. The image will appear in the attachment area below the message body. Type your message, add a recipient, and send as normal.

The exact location of the attachment button varies by email service. Gmail has a paperclip icon at the bottom of the compose window. Outlook shows a paperclip in the toolbar at the top. Yahoo Mail displays a paperclip icon below the subject line. Apple Mail uses a paperclip in the toolbar. Once you click the button, a file browser opens and works the same way across all services.

You can attach multiple images at once by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking each image in the file browser, then clicking Open. Some email services also let you drag and drop images directly into the compose window instead of using the attachment button.

Key Takeaways

  • The attachment button is usually a paperclip icon located in the compose window, though its exact position depends on which email service you use.
  • Image files must be saved on your computer or phone before you can attach them — you cannot attach images directly from a website without saving them first.
  • Large image files can cause delivery problems or bounce back, so resize or compress images if they are over 5 MB.
  • Drag-and-drop attachment works in most modern email services and is faster than using the file browser if your image folder is visible on screen.

Where to find the attachment button in common email services

Gmail shows the paperclip icon at the bottom left of the compose box, next to the formatting options. If you do not see it, make sure the compose window is fully expanded — click the arrow icon in the bottom right corner of the compose box to enlarge it.

Outlook (both web and desktop) displays the attachment button in the toolbar at the top of the compose window. It looks like a paperclip and sits near the formatting buttons. In Outlook desktop, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+A to open the file browser.

Yahoo Mail places the paperclip icon below the subject line, to the left of the formatting toolbar. Apple Mail users will find the attachment button in the toolbar at the top of the message window — it looks like a paperclip and is usually near the send button.

Preparing images before you attach them

Before attaching an image, check its file size. Most email services accept images up to 25 MB, but sending very large files can cause problems — the recipient's inbox may reject the message, or it may take a long time to read. If your image is larger than 5 MB, consider resizing or compressing it first.

To resize an image on Windows, right-click the file, select "Open with," and choose Photos or Paint. In Photos, click the three-dot menu and select "Resize." In Paint, go to Image > Resize and choose a smaller dimension. On Mac, open the image in Preview, go to Tools > Adjust Size, and enter a new width or height — the other dimension will adjust automatically to keep the image proportional.

Common image file types that work in email are JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP. If you have an image in a less common format like TIFF or WebP, convert it to JPG or PNG first using free online tools or your computer's built-in image editor. This ensures the recipient can open it without special software.

Attaching images from your phone or tablet

On an iPhone or iPad, open your email app and start a new message. Tap the attachment button — this is usually a paperclip or plus icon, depending on which email service you use. Select "Photo Library" or "Files," then choose the image you want to attach. You can select multiple images by tapping each one before confirming.

On Android, open your email app and create a new message. Tap the attachment icon (usually a paperclip or plus sign), then select "Photos," "Gallery," or "Files" depending on your phone. Choose the image and tap Attach or Open. Some Android phones let you take a photo directly from the email app instead of selecting an existing image.

Phone and tablet email apps work the same way as desktop email — you can attach multiple images, and the file size limits are the same. If you are attaching a photo taken on your phone, the file size is usually small enough that you do not need to resize it first.

Troubleshooting attachment problems

If the attachment button does not appear, your email service may be having a temporary problem. Try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the compose window. If you are using an older browser, update it — older browsers sometimes do not support the attachment feature properly.

If an image fails to attach, the file may be corrupted. Try attaching a different image to confirm the attachment feature is working. If that works, the original image file may be damaged. You can try opening the image in an image editor and saving it again with a new name, which sometimes fixes corruption.

If the recipient says they cannot open the attached image, the file format may not be compatible with their email app or device. Ask them what device they use, then resend the image as a JPG file instead — JPG is the most widely compatible format and opens on nearly all devices and email services.

Inline images versus attachments

An inline image appears directly in the body of your email message, while an attachment appears as a separate file below the message. Most email services let you choose which one you want. To insert an inline image in Gmail, click the image icon in the toolbar (it looks like a small picture frame), then select "Upload from computer." The image will appear where your cursor is positioned in the message.

Inline images are useful when you want the image to be part of the message itself — for example, if you are describing something in the text and want the image right next to that description. Attachments are better when you want to send the image as a separate file that the recipient can save and use elsewhere.

Some email services do not support inline images in all situations. If you are sending to someone using an older email client or a phone with limited email support, use attachments instead — they are more reliable across different devices and email services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attach an image directly from a website without saving it first?

No. You must save the image to your computer or phone first, then attach it from there. To save an image from a website, right-click it and select "Save image as" (Windows) or "Save image" (Mac), choose a folder, and click Save. Then open your email and attach the saved file.

What is the maximum file size I can attach?

Most email services accept attachments up to 25 MB. Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo Mail all use this limit. However, very large files can cause delivery delays or bounce back. If your image is over 5 MB, resize it first to avoid problems.

Why does my image look blurry or low quality after I attach it?

Some email services automatically compress images to save space. This is normal and does not affect the original file on your computer. If the recipient needs a high-quality version, you can send it through a file-sharing service like Google Drive or Dropbox instead of email.

Can I attach an image and have it show up in the signature line?

Yes, but this requires editing your email signature settings, not the attachment feature. In Gmail, go to Settings > Signature and paste an image URL into the signature box. In Outlook, go to File > Options > Mail > Signatures and click Insert > Pictures to add an image. This image will appear at the bottom of every email you send.

What if the recipient's email says the attachment is too large?

Their email service may have a smaller attachment limit than yours, or their inbox may be full. Ask them to delete some emails to free up space. If that does not work, resize the image to make it smaller, or send it through a file-sharing service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox instead.