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    1 min read 5 stepsMarch 31, 2026Verified March 2026

    How to Send Your First Email

    Not sure how to send an email? This step-by-step guide shows you how using Gmail, Outlook, or any email service.

    At a Glance

    Category
    How-To Guides
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    1 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    email
    gmail
    send
    beginner
    compose

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Open your email
    2. 2.Start a new email
    3. 3.Fill in the To field
    4. 4.Write a subject line
    5. 5.Write and send your message
    1

    Open your email

    ~15s
    Go to gmail.com or outlook.com in your web browser and sign in with your email address and password.
    2

    Start a new email

    ~15s
    Look for a button labelled "Compose" (Gmail) or "New message" (Outlook). It is usually in the top left. Click it. A blank email form will appear.
    3

    Fill in the To field

    ~15s
    Click in the "To" box and type the email address of the person you are sending to. Email addresses look like name@example.com. Type it carefully.

    Warning

    One wrong letter in the email address means your message will not be delivered. Double-check before sending.

    4

    Write a subject line

    ~15s
    Click the "Subject" line and type a short description, like "Hello from Mary" or "Question about Wednesday." Always include a subject.

    Quick Tip

    Emails without a subject line often end up in the spam folder.

    5

    Write and send your message

    ~15s
    Click in the large blank area and type your message. When you are finished, click the "Send" button (usually blue, at the bottom). Your email is sent right away.

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    gmail
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    compose

    Official Resources

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