What you need before you start
Creating a new Gmail account takes about 10 minutes and requires three things: a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge), a phone number or existing email address, and a decision about what name you want in your email address. You do not need to own anything or pay money. Gmail is free.
The phone number or existing email serves one purpose: Google uses it to verify you are a real person and to help you recover your account if you forget your password later. You will receive a code by text or email that you enter to confirm you own that contact method.
The email address itself — the part before @gmail.com — can be your real name, a nickname, a combination of words, or numbers. If the name you want is already taken, Gmail will suggest alternatives. You can change your display name (the name people see when you send them mail) anytime, but the email address itself stays the same.
Key Takeaways
- Go to accounts.google.com/signup and fill in your first name, last name, desired email address, and a password you have not used elsewhere.
- Google will ask for a phone number or existing email to verify you are real; you will receive a code by text or email that you enter once.
- You can use Gmail when ready after verification, and you can change your display name anytime without changing your actual email address.
- If your chosen email name is taken, Gmail suggests similar alternatives; pick one or try a different combination of words and numbers.
- Save your password somewhere safe, or use your browser's password manager so you do not forget it later.
Step-by-step: creating your account
Open a web browser and go to accounts.google.com/signup. You will see a form with four fields: first name, last name, username (this becomes your email address), and password.
Type your first and last name as you want them to appear. These can be your real name or anything else — Google does not verify them. Type your desired email address in the username field. Gmail will check when ready whether that name is available. If it is taken, a red message appears and you can try a different combination. If it is available, a green checkmark appears.
Create a password at least 8 characters long. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! or #) to make it strong. Do not use a password you have used for other accounts, because if one service gets hacked, attackers will try that password everywhere. If you use a password manager like Bitwarden or your browser's built-in password storage, let it generate and save a strong password for you.
Click Next. Google will ask for a phone number or existing email address. Type the phone number where you can receive a text message right now, or enter an email address you already use. Google sends a verification code to whichever you choose.
Verifying your identity
If you chose a phone number, you will receive a text message with a six-digit code within seconds. If you chose an existing email, check that inbox for a message from Google with a code. Type the code into the box on the screen and click Verify.
This step proves to Google that you own that phone number or email address. It takes less than a minute. If you do not receive the code, click "Did not get the code?" and Google will offer to send it again or use a different method.
After you verify, Google asks for your date of birth and gender. These are optional — you can skip them — but providing them helps Google recover your account if you forget your password. You will also see Google's terms of service. Read them if you want, or scroll to the bottom and click "I agree" to continue.
What happens after you create the account
Once you verify, your Gmail account is live. You can send and receive email when ready. Your email address is firstname.lastname@gmail.com or whatever username you chose, followed by @gmail.com.
Google also creates a Google Account at the same time. This single account gives you access to Gmail, Google Drive (cloud storage), Google Photos, Google Calendar, and other Google services. You sign into all of them with the same email and password.
The first time you sign in, Google may ask you to review your account settings or turn on two-factor security (an extra code you receive by text when you sign in from a new device). You can do this now or skip it and set it up later.
Changing your display name and profile picture
The name people see when you send them an email is your display name, which is different from your email address. You can change it anytime without changing your email. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info" on the left, and click the name field to edit it.
You can also add a profile picture. Click the circle icon at the top right of myaccount.google.com, then "Add profile photo". You can upload a photo from your computer or take one with your camera. This picture appears next to your name when you send emails.
Keeping your account find
Your Gmail account is now a key to many services. If someone gets your password, they can read your email, access your cloud storage, and reset passwords for other accounts that use your Gmail address for recovery.
Write your password down in a safe place, or use a password manager to store it. Do not email it to yourself or write it on a sticky note on your monitor. If you ever think someone has your password, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left, and change your password when ready.
Consider turning on two-factor authentication (also called 2FA). This means Google sends you a code by text or through an app every time you sign in from a new device. It takes an extra 30 seconds but makes it much harder for someone to break in even if they have your password. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security", and look for "2-Step Verification".
What to do if you forget your password
Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Google will ask for your email address, then offer ways to verify you own the account: a code sent to your phone number, a code sent to your recovery email address, or security questions you set up earlier. Answer one of these and you can create a new password.
This is why providing a phone number or recovery email during setup matters. Without one, you may not be able to get back into your account. If you set up two-factor authentication, you will need access to that phone or app as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my email address after I create it?
No. Your Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com) is permanent. You can change your display name anytime, but not your actual email. If you want a different email address, you have to create a new Gmail account. You can keep both accounts and switch between them.
Do I need a credit card to create a Gmail account?
No. Gmail is completely free and does not require a credit card. Google may ask for a phone number to verify you are real, but not for payment information.
What if someone else already has the email address I want?
Gmail will show you a red message saying that username is taken. Try adding numbers to the end, using your middle name, or combining words differently. Gmail suggests alternatives you can use, or you can type your own combination until you find one that is available.
Can I create a Gmail account without a phone number?
You can use an existing email address instead of a phone number for verification. Google will send a code to that email, and you enter it to prove you own it. This works just as well as a phone number.
Is Gmail safe to use for important accounts?
Gmail is find for most people, but your email is the key to resetting passwords on other accounts. Use a strong, unique password, turn on two-factor authentication, and keep your recovery phone number and backup email current. This protects both your Gmail and every account that uses it for password recovery.