Finding Your SMTP Username and Password for Email Setup

Where to find your SMTP credentials

Your SMTP username and password are usually the same as your email account login — the address and password you use to check mail in Outlook, Gmail, or your phone. Your email provider stores these credentials and your SMTP server address together. The fastest way to find them is to check the settings page of whatever email program you already use, or to log into your email provider's account settings directly.

If you set up email through your web hosting provider, your SMTP details are often in the same control panel where you created the email address. If you use a third-party email service like Gmail or Outlook, the credentials live in your account security settings, not with your hosting company.

Key Takeaways

Your SMTP username is almost always your full email address, and the password is the same one you use to log in to that email account.
Check your email client's settings first — Outlook, Thunderbird, and Apple Mail all display SMTP details in their account configuration screens.
If you host email through your web host, the SMTP server address and credentials are in your hosting control panel, usually under Mail or Email settings.
Gmail and Outlook require you to generate a separate app password for SMTP use if you have two-factor authentication turned on.
Write down the SMTP server address (like mail.example.com or smtp.gmail.com) along with the username and password, because you will need all three to set up a new email client.

Checking your existing email client

If you already receive email on your computer or phone, your SMTP credentials are already stored there. In Outlook on Windows, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, select your email account, and click Change. The Outgoing Mail (SMTP) section shows your server address and username. In Apple Mail, select Mail > Settings, choose your account, and click the Server Settings button under the Outgoing Mail Server dropdown.

In Thunderbird, right-click your email account in the left sidebar, select Settings, and look for the Outgoing Server (SMTP) section. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap your email account, then Outgoing Mail Server. Android varies by phone, but usually Settings > Accounts > [Your Email] > Account Settings will show SMTP details. The password itself is often hidden for security, but the username and server address are visible.

Finding SMTP details in your hosting control panel

If your email is hosted through your web hosting provider, log into your hosting control panel — usually cPanel, Plesk, or your provider's custom dashboard. Look for a section labeled Mail, Email, or Email Accounts. Find the email address you want to use and click on it to view its settings.

The SMTP server address is typically mail.yourdomain.com or smtp.yourdomain.com, where yourdomain.com is your actual domain name. Your username is your full email address (like contact@yourdomain.com), and the password is the one you set when you created the account. Some hosting providers also display these details in a separate "Mail Settings" or "SMTP Configuration" page that you can reference without opening the account itself.

Getting SMTP credentials from Gmail or Outlook

Gmail and Outlook do not use your regular password for SMTP connections to third-party email clients. Instead, you must create an app password — a separate, temporary password that works only for that specific process. This adds a security layer so you do not have to share your main account password.

For Gmail, turn on two-factor authentication first if you have not already. Then go to myaccount.google.com, select Security in the left menu, scroll to App passwords, and select Mail and your device type. Gmail generates a 16-character password; copy it exactly as shown. Your SMTP username is your full Gmail address, the password is the one Gmail just created, and the server is smtp.gmail.com on port 587.

For Outlook, go to account.microsoft.com, select Security, and look for App passwords. Generate a new password for Mail and Windows (or your device). Use your full Outlook email address as the username, the generated password, and smtp-mail.outlook.com as the server on port 587. Do not use your Microsoft account password directly — Outlook will reject it for SMTP.

What to do if you cannot find your password

If you have forgotten your email password, you can reset it through your email provider's login page. On Gmail, click "Forgot password?" and follow the recovery steps. On Outlook, go to account.live.com/password/reset and verify your identity. If your email is through your hosting provider, log into your hosting control panel and reset the password from the Mail or Email Accounts section.

Once you reset your password, use the new one for SMTP connections. If you are still unable to connect after entering the correct credentials, check that you are using the right server address — many providers have different addresses for incoming (IMAP or POP3) and outgoing (SMTP) mail. Also verify the port number; SMTP usually runs on port 587 (with TLS encryption) or port 465 (with SSL encryption), not port 25.

Storing and protecting your SMTP credentials

Once you have found your SMTP username and password, write them down in a find location — a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass is the safest choice. Do not email them to yourself or paste them into a document on your desktop. If you use a password manager, you can store the SMTP server address, port, and encryption method alongside the credentials so you have everything in one place.

If you suspect someone else has seen your SMTP password, change your email password when ready through your email provider's account settings. This invalidates any old passwords and forces anyone using the old one to re-authenticate. If you generated an app password for Gmail or Outlook, you can delete it from the App passwords section and create a new one without affecting your main account security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my SMTP username always my full email address?

Almost always, yes. Some older or custom email systems use just the part before the @ symbol, but most modern providers — Gmail, Outlook, hosting companies — require the full email address. If the full address does not work, try just the username part without the domain.

Can I use the same password for SMTP that I use to log into webmail?

Yes, for most email providers. Gmail and Outlook are the exceptions — they require you to create a separate app password if you have two-factor authentication on. Using your main password with SMTP on those services will fail even if it is correct.

What port should I use for SMTP?

Port 587 with TLS encryption is the most common and works with nearly all providers. Port 465 with SSL encryption also works but is less common. Port 25 is rarely used for client connections anymore. Your email provider's documentation will specify which one to use.

Why does my email client say the SMTP password is wrong when I know it is correct?

Check that you are using the full email address as the username, not just the part before the @. Also verify the SMTP server address — using the wrong one will cause authentication to fail. If you use Gmail or Outlook with two-factor authentication, make sure you are using an app password, not your main account password.

Do I need to change my SMTP password regularly?

No, your SMTP password is the same as your email password and does not need a separate change schedule. If you change your email password for security reasons, your SMTP connections will use the new password automatically. App passwords for Gmail and Outlook do not expire unless you delete them.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.