Your email address is the login name you use to sign into your account
Your email address is the username you type when you log into your email account — the one that looks like yourname@gmail.com or yourname@company.com. If you have forgotten it, you can find it by checking where you already use it, looking at your device settings, or asking your email provider directly.
The fastest way depends on what device you have and whether you still have access to your account. Most people find their address within a minute or two by checking one of the places listed below.
Key Takeaways
- Your email address is visible in your account settings on any device where you are already signed in.
- On Windows, check Settings > Accounts to see which email address is linked to your computer.
- On Mac, go to System Settings > General > About to find your Apple ID email.
- On a phone or tablet, open your email app and look in the account settings or profile menu.
- If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login page instead of trying to find your address first.
Check your email account settings on the device you use most
If you are already signed into your email on a computer, phone, or tablet, the easiest place to find your address is in the account settings. The steps differ slightly by device, but the address is always stored in the same section.
On a computer using Gmail, open Gmail in your web browser, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and look at the email address shown under your name. On Outlook, click the gear icon in the top right, select "View all Outlook settings," then go to the "Account" tab — your email address appears at the top. On Apple Mail or other email apps, open the app, find the menu (usually three horizontal lines or a gear icon), and look for "Account Settings" or "Manage Accounts" — your address is listed there.
Look in your computer's system settings
Your operating system knows which email address is linked to your account. On Windows 10 or 11, click the Start button, type "Settings," then click Settings. Go to "Accounts" on the left side, then click "Your info" — the email address linked to your Windows account appears at the top of the page.
On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner, select "System Settings," then click "General" in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click "About" — your Apple ID email address appears under "System Report." If you use a different email service, open Mail, click "Mail" in the top menu bar, select "Preferences," then click the "Accounts" tab to see all email addresses you have set up.
Check your phone or tablet settings
On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll down and tap "Mail," then tap "Accounts." Each email account you have set up is listed with its address. You can also open the Mail app itself, tap the Mailboxes tab at the bottom, scroll to the top, and look at which accounts are listed.
On an Android phone, open Gmail or your email app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and look for "Settings" or "Manage accounts." Your email address is shown next to each account. If you use Outlook on Android, open the app, tap the menu icon, select "Settings," and your email address appears under each account listed.
Contact your email provider if you cannot find it
If you have tried the steps above and still cannot locate your address, you can contact the company that runs your email service. Gmail support is available through the Help Center at support.google.com. Outlook support is at support.microsoft.com. Apple Mail users can reach support at support.apple.com. Each service can confirm your email address if you provide proof of identity.
When you contact support, have ready the phone number or recovery email address you used when you created the account. This helps them verify that the account belongs to you before they share the address.
Use "Forgot password" if you cannot sign in
If you cannot remember your password and cannot access your email account to find your address, start with the login page instead. On Gmail, Outlook, or any email service, click "Forgot password?" or "Can't sign in?" on the login screen. The service will ask you to enter the email address you think you used, then send a recovery link to that address or to a backup email you provided.
This process confirms your address because the recovery email arrives at the address you entered. If the email does not arrive, you entered the wrong address — try again with a different one. Once you receive the recovery email, you have confirmed your correct address and can reset your password at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have multiple email addresses?
Most people have more than one email address — a personal Gmail account, a work email, and maybe an older Yahoo or Hotmail account. Check your email app's account settings to see all of them listed. Your primary address is usually the one you use most often or the one linked to your computer or phone account.
Is my email address the same as my username?
Usually yes. Your email address is the username you type to log in. Some services let you create a separate username, but the email address is what you actually use to sign in. If you are unsure, try logging in with your email address — it will work if that is your login name.
Can I change my email address?
You can add a new email address to most accounts, but changing your primary address is more complicated. Gmail lets you add an alias (a second address that goes to the same inbox), but you cannot change your original address. Outlook and other services have similar limits. Contact your email provider to learn what options are available for your specific service.
Why do I need to know my email address?
You need your email address to sign into your account, reset your password, recover a lost account, or set up your email on a new device. It is also how other people contact you and how services send you important messages. Keeping it written down somewhere safe is a good idea.