Check the device you use to read email
The fastest way to find your email address is to open the program or website where you already read messages. If you use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, or Apple Mail on your phone or computer, your email address is usually visible at the top of the screen or in the account menu.
On a phone or tablet, look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines or a gear symbol) in the corner of your email app. Tap it and look for "Account", "Settings", or your name. Your full email address will be listed there. On a computer, check the top right corner of the screen — most email services display your address or a profile icon you can click to see it.
If you have not opened your email in months, this method still works. The address you used to set up the account is still there, even if you have not checked messages recently.
Key Takeaways
- Your email address appears in the account menu of any email app or website where you already have messages.
- Check your phone or computer's settings menu under "Account" or look for a profile icon in the top corner of your email service.
- If you cannot access your email account, search your phone or computer for confirmation emails from when you created the account.
- Your email address is also listed on any online account where you used it to sign up, such as banking websites or social media.
- If you have multiple email addresses, check each one separately — you may have created more than one account over the years.
Search your phone or computer for confirmation emails
When you created your email account, the service sent you a confirmation message. That email contains your address and is usually saved in your device's email app or in a folder. Search your phone or computer for emails from Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or Apple with words like "confirm", "verify", or "welcome".
On a phone, open your email app and use the search function (usually a magnifying glass icon). Type the name of the email service — "Gmail" or "Outlook" — and look for messages from that company. On a computer, use your email service's search bar or your operating system's file search to look for emails with "account" or "confirmation" in the subject line.
These confirmation emails are usually kept in your inbox or a folder labeled "Important" or "Promotions". If you deleted them, they may still be in your Trash or Deleted Items folder, which most email services keep for 30 days before permanently removing messages.
Check accounts where you used your email to sign up
Any website or app where you created an account using your email address will have that address on file. Log into your bank, social media, shopping sites, or streaming services — the account settings page will show the email address you registered with.
Banking websites are especially reliable for this because they require you to verify your email during setup. Go to your bank's website, sign in, and look for "Account Settings", "Profile", or "Contact Information". Your email address will be listed there. Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn also display your registered email in the account settings menu.
If you have forgotten the password to these accounts as well, most sites have a "Forgot Password" link that will send a reset message to your email address — which confirms what that address is, even if you cannot open the message right away.
Look through old documents and receipts
Your email address may appear on printed or digital receipts, order confirmations, or documents you have saved. Check your email inbox for order confirmations from online shopping, subscription services, or software purchases — these messages are usually sent to the address you used to create the account.
If you have paper receipts from online purchases, the confirmation email address is sometimes printed on them. Digital receipts saved as PDFs on your computer or phone often include your email address in the header or footer. You can also check your browser's read history to find PDFs you have saved.
Utility bills, insurance documents, or tax forms you may have set up online will also show the email address associated with those accounts. These documents are often saved in a "Documents" or "Downloads" folder on your computer.
Ask someone who has emailed you
If a friend, family member, or coworker has sent you an email, they have your address in their contact list or email history. Call or message them and ask them to check their email app or website and tell you what address they have for you.
This works even if you have not talked to that person in years — your email address does not change, and they can find it by searching their inbox for messages from you or by looking at your contact card if they saved you in their phone.
Check your phone's contact list and address book
Many phones automatically save your own email address in the contacts app when you set up your device. Open your phone's Contacts or Address Book app and search for your name, or look for an entry labeled "Me" or "Self". Your email address may be listed there along with your phone number.
On an iPhone, open the Contacts app and look for a card with your name at the top of the list. On an Android phone, open Contacts and tap your name or look for a "My contact card" option in the menu. If you have synced your phone with a computer, check the computer's address book as well — it may have more complete information.
Contact your email service's support team
If you have tried all the above methods and still cannot find your address, you can contact the email service directly. Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple all have support pages where you can describe your situation. They may ask you security questions to confirm your identity, then tell you what email address is associated with your account.
Go to the email service's main website and look for a "Help", "Support", or "Contact Us" link. Explain that you have forgotten your email address and describe any details you remember about the account — the phone number or recovery email you used when you set it up, the date you created it, or the names of people who have emailed you. The support team can verify your identity and provide your address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have multiple email addresses?
Most people have created more than one email account over the years. Check each email app or website on your device separately — each one will show you the address for that specific account. Write down all the addresses you find so you know which ones are active.
Can I find my email address if I cannot log in?
Yes. Use the methods that do not require logging in: search your phone or computer for confirmation emails, check accounts where you signed up with your email, ask someone who has emailed you, or contact the email service's support team. You do not need to be logged in to find your address.
Is my email address the same as my username?
Usually, but not always. Your email address is the full name you use to receive messages, like jane.smith@gmail.com. Your username might be different — it could be a nickname or handle you chose. Check your account settings to see both pieces of information listed separately.
What should I do once I find my email address?
Write it down or save it in a safe place where you can find it later. You can also add it to your phone's contacts under your own name so you have it available whenever you need it. Consider writing it down on paper and keeping it in a drawer at home.