The fastest way to block someone in Gmail

Open the email from the person you want to block. Look for the three vertical dots (⋯) in the top right corner of the email and click it. A menu will appear — select Block "[sender's name]" from the list. Gmail will then move that sender's future emails to spam automatically.

That is the entire process. Once blocked, emails from that address go straight to your spam folder, and you will not see notifications for them. If you change your mind later, you can unblock the address from your Gmail settings.

If you cannot find the three-dot menu, make sure you are looking at a single email, not your inbox list. The menu appears only when you have opened the full email.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the three vertical dots in the top right of an open email, then select Block to send that sender's future messages to spam.
  • Blocked emails go to your spam folder automatically — you will not receive notifications for them.
  • Blocking works on the sender's email address, so someone using a different address can still reach you.
  • You can unblock an address anytime through Gmail Settings under Filters and Blocked Addresses.
  • Blocking does not delete emails already in your inbox — only new messages from that sender are affected.

Where to find the block option if you do not see the menu

If the three-dot menu does not appear, you may be using Gmail on a phone or tablet. On mobile, open the email and look for three dots in the top right corner of your screen (not the browser). Tap it and scroll down — you should see Block [sender] near the bottom of the menu.

On a computer, if the dots still do not show, try refreshing your browser or switching to a different browser. Gmail occasionally has display issues in older versions of Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. If you are using Gmail through Outlook or another email client, the block feature may not be available — you would need to use Gmail's website directly.

What happens after you block someone

Once you block an address, Gmail routes all future emails from that sender to your spam folder. You will not see them in your inbox, and you will not get notifications. The blocked sender does not receive a message telling them they have been blocked — their email straightforward goes to spam on your end.

Emails that sender already sent you before you blocked them stay in your inbox. Blocking only affects new messages. If you want to remove old emails from that person, you will need to delete them manually or search for their address and delete the conversation.

How to unblock an email address

Go to Gmail Settings by clicking the gear icon in the top right of your inbox, then select See all settings. Click the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab. Scroll down to the section labeled Blocked addresses and you will see a list of everyone you have blocked.

Find the address you want to unblock and click the Unblock link next to it. That sender's emails will no longer go to spam — they will arrive in your inbox normally. You can block and unblock the same address as many times as you need.

Blocking email addresses versus unsubscribing

Blocking and unsubscribing are different actions. Unsubscribing removes you from a mailing list — use this for newsletters, promotional emails, or any message with an "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom. Blocking stops all emails from a specific address from reaching your inbox, whether or not they have an unsubscribe option.

If you receive unwanted marketing emails, try unsubscribing first — it is the standard way to stop those messages and usually works within a few days. Block only if unsubscribing does not work or if the sender is someone you want to stop hearing from entirely. Blocking is more aggressive and should be reserved for spam, harassment, or people you genuinely do not want to contact you.

Blocking email addresses from your phone

On the Gmail app for iPhone or Android, open the email you want to block. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the email. Scroll down and tap Block [sender]. The process is the same as on a computer — future emails from that address go to spam.

If you are using Gmail through the default Mail app on your phone (not the Gmail app), blocking may not be available. read the official Gmail app from the App Store or Google Play to use the block feature. The Gmail app works the same way on all phones and is the most reliable way to block addresses on mobile.

What to do if blocking does not stop the emails

If emails from a blocked address keep appearing in your inbox, the sender may be using different email addresses. Gmail blocks the exact address you selected — if someone sends from a slightly different address (like adding a number or using a different domain), those messages will not be blocked.

Check the sender's address carefully. If it changes slightly each time, you may need to block multiple addresses. If the emails are clearly spam or harassment, you can also report them to Gmail by clicking the three dots and selecting Report spam or Report phishing. This helps Gmail identify patterns and improve its spam filters for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the person I block know that I blocked them?

No. The blocked sender receives no notification. Their email straightforward goes to your spam folder on your end. They may eventually notice you are not responding, but Gmail does not tell them they have been blocked.

Can I block an entire domain instead of just one email address?

The block feature only works on individual email addresses. To block all emails from a domain (like all messages from @example.com), you would need to create a filter in Gmail Settings. Go to Filters and Blocked Addresses, click Create a new filter, enter the domain in the "From" field, and select Delete or Skip Inbox.

If I block someone, can they still see my emails?

Blocking only stops their emails from reaching you — it does not prevent them from receiving emails you send them. If you have already sent them messages, they can still read those. Blocking is one-way: it protects your inbox, not your sent messages.

Will blocking someone remove their old emails from my inbox?

No. Blocking only affects new emails from that sender. Old messages stay in your inbox unless you delete them. If you want to remove past emails from someone you have blocked, search for their address and delete the conversation manually.

Can I block emails by subject line or content instead of sender?

The block feature works only on sender addresses. To filter emails by subject or content, create a filter in Gmail Settings under Filters and Blocked Addresses. You can set filters to delete, archive, or skip the inbox based on keywords, subject lines, or other criteria.