You can create a new Gmail account in about five minutes using a web browser or the Gmail app

A second Gmail account gives you a separate inbox, contact list, and storage space. You might want one for work, another for personal mail, or a dedicated account for online shopping and newsletters. The process is the same whether you are on a computer or phone: you go to Google's account creation page, enter a new email address (or let Google suggest one), set a password, and verify your identity.

You do not need to own a domain name, pay a fee, or have an existing Google account. You will need a phone number or existing email address to verify that you are human, but that takes less than a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit accounts.google.com/signup and fill in your name, desired email address, password, and phone number or backup email.
  • Google will send a verification code to your phone or email — enter it to confirm the account is yours.
  • After verification, your new Gmail inbox is ready to use when ready.
  • You can switch between multiple Gmail accounts on the same device without logging out and back in each time.
  • Each Gmail account has its own 15 GB of free storage, separate from your other accounts.

Step-by-step: Creating the account on a computer

Open a web browser and go to accounts.google.com/signup. You will see a form with four fields: first name, last name, username (your future email address), and password.

For the username, type what you want your email address to be — for example, "sarah.martinez.2024" or "jsmith.work". Google will tell you when ready if that name is taken. If it is, try adding a number, a period, or an underscore. Once you find one that is available, Google shows you the full email address: username@gmail.com.

Create a password at least 8 characters long. Google recommends mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #), though it does not require them. Write this password down somewhere safe, or use a password manager if you have one.

Click Next. Google now asks for your phone number or an existing email address. Enter your phone number if you want the verification code sent by text message, or enter another email address if you prefer a code sent there instead. Click Next again. Google sends the code — it usually arrives within seconds. Enter the code in the box that appears, then click Verify.

The final screen asks for your birth date and gender. These are optional but Google recommends filling them in, because they help recover your account if you forget your password later. Click Next, and your account is created.

Creating the account on a phone or tablet

Open the Gmail app or any web browser. If you are using the Gmail app, tap the profile icon in the top right corner, then tap "Add another account". If you are using a browser, go to accounts.google.com/signup.

The form is the same as on a computer: name, username, password, and phone number or backup email. Type slowly and double-check the username, because you cannot change it later. After you enter your phone number or backup email and click Next, Google sends a verification code. Enter it, fill in your birth date and gender if you want to, and you are done.

What happens if your chosen username is already taken

If the username you want is taken, Google shows you that when ready and suggests alternatives. You can accept one of Google's suggestions, or try your own variation. Common additions that work: adding a birth year (sarah.martinez.1987), adding a middle initial (s.martinez.lopez), or using underscores instead of periods (sarah_martinez).

You cannot reserve a username or get on a waiting list. If you really want a specific name, your only option is to try again later — sometimes people abandon accounts, though this is rare. For most purposes, a slightly different version of your preferred name works just as well.

Switching between your Gmail accounts

Once you have created a second account, you can use both on the same device without logging out of one to log into the other. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner of Gmail. You will see a list of all your accounts. Click the one you want to switch to, and Gmail opens that inbox.

On a phone or tablet, tap your profile picture, then tap the account you want to switch to. The Gmail app remembers all your accounts and keeps them signed in, so switching takes one tap.

If you want to sign out of one account completely, click your profile picture, then click "Sign out" next to the account name. That account will no longer appear in your list of accounts on that device.

Storage and what you can do with each account

Each Gmail account comes with 15 GB of free storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. Your second account has its own separate 15 GB, so you are not sharing storage space with your first account.

Each account also has its own contacts, calendar, and Google Drive folder. If you want to share a document or calendar between your two accounts, you can — just use the Share button and enter the email address of your other account, the same way you would share with anyone else.

You can use each account independently for different purposes: one for work, one for personal mail, one for shopping. They do not affect each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address after I create it?

No, your Gmail address is permanent and cannot be changed. You can change your display name (the name that appears when you send mail), but not the email address itself. If you make a typo when creating the account, you will need to create a new account with the correct spelling.

Do I need a phone number to create a Gmail account?

You need either a phone number or an existing email address to verify your account. Google uses this to confirm you are human and to help you recover the account if you forget your password. You can use any phone number or email address — it does not have to be a primary one.

What if I forget the password to my second account?

Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter the email address of the account you cannot access. Google will ask you to enter the last password you remember, then send a recovery code to your phone number or backup email. Follow the prompts to reset your password.

Can I use the same phone number for multiple Gmail accounts?

Yes, you can use the same phone number to verify multiple Gmail accounts. Google allows this, though it may ask additional questions if you create many accounts in a short time.

Will my contacts from my first Gmail account appear in my second account?

No, each Gmail account has its own separate contact list. If you want to copy contacts from one account to another, you can export them from the first account and import them into the second using Google Contacts.