Blind copy (BCC) hides recipient addresses from everyone else on the email

When you send an email in Outlook, you can put people in three different fields: To, CC (carbon copy), and BCC (blind carbon copy). Everyone who receives the email can see who is in the To and CC fields. BCC is different — people in the BCC field receive the email, but their address is invisible to everyone else on the message, including the people in To and CC.

This matters when you are sending the same message to a group of people who do not know each other or should not see each other's email addresses. A common example is sending a newsletter to customers, or inviting people to an event where you do not want attendees to see the full guest list.

Key Takeaways

  • BCC recipients get the email but their address stays hidden from all other recipients.
  • In Outlook on the web, click Options to reveal the BCC field; in Outlook desktop, it appears automatically in the compose window.
  • You can put multiple addresses in BCC, but each person receives an individual copy that shows only themselves in the recipient fields.
  • Once you send an email, you cannot add or remove BCC recipients — the field must be set before you hit Send.

How to add the BCC field in Outlook on the web

Outlook on the web (the version you access through a browser at outlook.com or through your work email portal) does not show the BCC field by default. To reveal it, open a new email and look for the word "Options" or a three-dot menu near the top of the compose box. Click it, then select "Show BCC" or "Bcc".

Once you click that option, a new field labeled BCC will appear below the CC field. Type or paste the email addresses you want to blind copy into that field, separated by semicolons if you are entering multiple addresses at once. The field works the same way as To and CC — you can type a name and Outlook will suggest matching contacts.

How to add the BCC field in Outlook desktop

If you use Outlook on your computer (the desktop process you read and install), the BCC field is usually visible by default when you create a new email. Look at the top of the compose window where you see To and CC — BCC should be right there. If you do not see it, click the Options tab in the ribbon menu at the top, then click "Show BCC".

Once the BCC field is visible, click in it and add the addresses the same way you would in the To field. You can type individual addresses, paste multiple addresses separated by semicolons, or click the address book icon to select contacts from your saved list.

What happens when you send a BCC email

When you click Send, Outlook creates separate copies of the email for each recipient. The person in the To field sees themselves in To, and sees anyone in CC, but the BCC field appears blank to them. The person in CC sees themselves in CC, sees the To field, but the BCC field is blank. Each person in BCC sees only themselves as a recipient — they do not see the To field, the CC field, or other BCC addresses.

This separation happens automatically. You do not need to do anything special after you type the addresses — Outlook handles it when the email is sent.

Common mistakes when using BCC

The biggest mistake is forgetting to remove your own address from the To or CC field when you are using BCC. If you are sending a message to a group of people who should not see each other's addresses, put the addresses only in BCC and leave To empty, or put a generic address like "Undisclosed Recipients" in To. If you put addresses in both To and CC, those people will see each other.

Another common error is assuming you can edit BCC after you send the email. You cannot. Once the email is sent, it is gone — you cannot add someone to BCC retroactively or remove someone who was already sent a copy. Always double-check the BCC field before you click Send.

When to use BCC instead of CC

Use CC when the recipients know each other or when it is normal for them to see who else received the message — like copying your manager on a work email to a colleague. Use BCC when the recipients should not see each other's addresses, or when you are sending the same message to a large group where privacy matters.

BCC is standard for newsletters, mass invitations, and any situation where you are contacting multiple people who have no relationship to each other. It is also useful when you want to send yourself a copy of an email without the main recipients knowing you kept a record — put your own address in BCC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see who else was BCC'd on an email I received?

No. If you received an email and your address was in the BCC field, you will not see any indication that other people were also BCC'd. You will only see yourself as a recipient. The sender knows who was BCC'd, but no one else does.

What if I accidentally put someone in CC instead of BCC?

If you have not sent the email yet, click in the CC field, select their address, and delete it. Then add them to BCC instead. If you have already sent it, you cannot undo it — the recipients have already seen that person's address. You would need to send a follow-up email explaining the mistake.

Does BCC work the same way in Outlook mobile apps?

Yes, but the steps differ slightly depending on whether you use the Outlook app on iPhone, Android, or iPad. When you compose a new email, look for a menu or options button (usually three dots), tap it, and select "Show BCC" or similar wording. The field will then appear and work the same way as on desktop or web.

Can I BCC someone on a reply to an existing email thread?

Yes. When you click Reply or Reply All, the BCC field is available in the same way it is for a new email. However, be aware that if you reply to a thread and add someone in BCC, that person receives only your reply, not the earlier messages in the conversation.