Add a signature in Gmail settings in three steps

A Gmail signature is a block of text that appears at the bottom of every email you send — typically your name, job title, phone number, or a closing line. You create it once in Gmail settings, and it automatically adds itself to all outgoing messages.

Open Gmail in your web browser and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select See all settings, then click the Signature tab. In the box labeled "Create new", type or paste the text you want to appear on every email, then scroll down and click Save Changes. The next email you compose will include your signature at the bottom.

If you use multiple email addresses in the same Gmail account, you can create a different signature for each one. In the Signature tab, you'll see a dropdown menu next to each address — create a signature for each, and Gmail will use the right one depending on which address you're sending from.

Key Takeaways

  • Your signature is created in Gmail settings under the Signature tab, not in individual emails.
  • Once saved, your signature appears automatically on every new email you send from that address.
  • You can format your signature with bold, italics, links, and line breaks using the toolbar above the text box.
  • If you manage multiple email addresses in one Gmail account, you can set a different signature for each address.
  • Signatures do not appear on emails you reply to or forward unless you manually add them.

Format your signature with text styling and links

The signature text box includes a small toolbar with formatting options. You can make text bold or italic, change the font or text color, and add hyperlinks. Highlight the text you want to format, then click the button for the style you want — bold, italic, underline, or the link icon to add a URL.

Press Enter to create line breaks within your signature, so you can stack your name, title, phone number, and website on separate lines. If you want to add your company logo or a small image, click the image icon in the toolbar, upload a file from your computer, and it will embed in your signature.

Keep in mind that very large images or complex formatting may not display correctly on all devices or email clients. A simple text signature with one or two colors and a modest image usually displays reliably everywhere.

Signatures on replies and forwarded emails

By default, your signature does not appear when you reply to or forward an email — only on brand-new messages you compose. If you want your signature on replies too, go back to the Signature tab in settings and check the box that says Insert signature before quoted text. This places your signature above the original message in replies.

Some people prefer this setting because it keeps their contact information visible in conversation threads. Others turn it off to keep replies shorter and less cluttered. You can change this setting anytime without affecting signatures already sent.

Turn off your signature or change it later

To remove your signature entirely, go to Settings > Signature, delete all the text in the box, and click Save Changes. Future emails will no longer include a signature, but emails you've already sent are not affected.

To edit your signature, click in the text box, make your changes, and save. This updates the signature for all future emails. If you have multiple signatures for different addresses, make sure you're editing the right one — the dropdown menu at the top of the Signature tab shows which address you're currently editing.

Signatures in Gmail on your phone

The Gmail app on iPhone and Android does not have a signature feature built in. If you want a signature on emails sent from your phone, you have two options: compose emails in Gmail's web version on your phone's browser instead of the app, or add a manual signature line to each email before you send it.

Some people add a simple line like "Sent from my phone" at the end of mobile emails, but this has to be typed each time. If you send most emails from your computer, the web-based signature is usually enough — phone emails can go without one.

Troubleshoot a signature that is not appearing

If you created a signature but it is not showing up on your emails, first check that you clicked Save Changes at the bottom of the Signature tab. Settings do not save automatically, and the signature will not activate until you save.

Second, remember that signatures only appear on new emails you compose — not on replies or forwards, unless you turned on the "Insert signature before quoted text" option. If you are replying to a message and expecting to see your signature, that is why it is not there.

Third, if you use multiple email addresses, make sure you are sending from the address that has a signature set. Click the "From" field in your email to see which address you are sending from, then go back to settings and confirm that address has a signature created.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different signatures for different types of emails?

Gmail does not let you choose which signature to use on individual emails. You can only set one signature per email address. If you need different signatures for work and personal emails, create a separate Gmail address for each and set a different signature on each one.

What happens to my signature if I change my Gmail password?

Your signature is stored in your Gmail settings and is not affected by password changes. Changing your password does not delete or modify your signature — it will continue to appear on all new emails you send.

Can I add a signature to emails I have already sent?

No. Signatures only appear on emails at the moment you send them. You cannot edit a sent email to add a signature after the fact. If you need to add information to a past email, you would have to send a new message.

Does my signature count toward Gmail's storage limit?

No. Your signature is stored in settings, not in your mailbox. It does not use any of your Gmail storage space, no matter how large the signature is or how many emails you send with it.

Can I use HTML code in my signature?

Gmail's signature editor does not accept raw HTML code. You can only use the formatting buttons in the toolbar — bold, italic, colors, links, and images. If you need more complex formatting, you would have to add it manually to each email instead of using an automatic signature.