The fastest way to block someone in Gmail

Open the email from the person you want to block. Click the three dots (more actions menu) in the top right of the email. Select "Block [sender's name]" from the dropdown. Gmail will then send all future emails from that address to your spam folder automatically.

That's the complete process. Once blocked, you won't see notifications for their emails, and they won't know you've blocked them. If you change your mind later, you can unblock the address through your Gmail settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking an email address takes three clicks: open the email, click the three-dot menu, and select "Block [sender's name]".
  • Blocked emails go to your spam folder, not deleted, so you can review them later if needed.
  • The sender receives no notification that you've blocked them.
  • You can unblock an address anytime through Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Unblock.
  • Blocking works on the email address itself, so if someone creates a new account, you'll need to block that address separately.

Where to find the block option if the three-dot menu doesn't appear

On most devices and browsers, the three-dot menu appears in the top right corner of an open email. If you don't see it, try refreshing the page or switching to a different browser. Gmail's interface sometimes loads differently depending on your connection speed or device.

On mobile phones, the three-dot menu is usually in the top right as well, but the layout can vary. If you're using the Gmail app on iPhone or Android, open the email and look for three vertical dots. Tap it, then scroll down to find "Block [sender's name]".

If you still can't locate the block option, you can create a filter instead. Go to Settings (the gear icon) > See all settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Create a new filter. Type the sender's email address in the "From" field, click "Create filter", then check "Delete it" or "Skip the inbox (Archive it)". This achieves the same result as blocking.

What happens after you block an email address

All emails from that address will automatically go to your spam folder. You can still see them if you open the spam folder, but Gmail won't send you notifications about them. The sender won't receive a bounce-back message or any indication that their email was blocked.

If the person tries to email you from a different email address, that new address won't be blocked. Blocking only applies to the specific email address you selected. This is important to know if someone is harassing you from multiple accounts — you'll need to block each address separately.

How to unblock an email address

Click the gear icon in the top right of Gmail and select "See all settings". Go to the "Filters and Blocked Addresses" tab. Scroll down to the "Blocked addresses" section. Find the address you want to unblock and click the "Unblock" button next to it.

Once you unblock an address, emails from that sender will return to your inbox normally. Any emails that arrived while the address was blocked will still be in your spam folder — unblocking doesn't move them back automatically. You can move them manually if you want to review them.

Blocking email addresses vs. creating filters

Blocking is the simpler option for most situations. It takes three clicks and requires no setup. Filters are more powerful but take longer to create. Use blocking when you want to stop seeing emails from one person. Use filters when you want to organize emails by sender, subject line, or other details — for example, sending all emails from your bank to a specific folder.

You can also combine both methods. Some people block an address and create a filter for the same sender, though this is redundant since blocking already sends emails to spam. Filters become useful when you want to keep emails from someone but organize them differently, like moving them to a label instead of deleting them.

What to do if someone is harassing you through email

Blocking stops the emails from reaching your inbox, but it doesn't create a record for authorities if you need one later. If the harassment is severe or ongoing, take screenshots of the emails before you block the address. Save them with dates and times intact. This creates evidence if you need to report the behavior to law enforcement or your employer.

Gmail also has a "Report phishing" option in the three-dot menu. Use this if the emails appear to be scams or attempts to steal your information. Reporting helps Google identify patterns and protect other users. For threats of violence or serious harassment, contact your local police department and provide them with the screenshots you saved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the person I blocked see that I've blocked them?

No. Gmail doesn't notify senders when they're blocked. Their emails straightforward go to your spam folder without any message back to them. They won't know unless you tell them.

If I block someone, will they see my out-of-office reply?

No. Out-of-office replies don't go to blocked senders. Gmail treats blocked addresses the same way it treats spam — the email arrives but no automated response is sent back.

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 addresses ending in @example.com), you'll need to create a filter instead. Go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Create a new filter, type the domain in the "From" field using the format *@example.com, then select "Delete it" or "Skip the inbox".

What if I block someone by mistake?

You can unblock them anytime through Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Unblock. Emails from them will start arriving in your inbox again. Any emails that arrived while they were blocked remain in your spam folder.

Does blocking on Gmail also block them from seeing my calendar or other Google services?

No. Blocking in Gmail only affects email. If you share a Google Calendar or Google Drive folder with someone, they can still see it even if their email is blocked. You'll need to remove their access separately in each service if you want to block them completely.