How to Add a Custom Header in Mozilla Thunderbird

Personalize your email headers

By
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
  • University of Vienna
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Updated on February 16, 2021

What to Know

  • Go to Thunderbird > Preferences > General > Config Editor, then select I accept the risk to continue.
  • Search for mail.compose.other.header and select it, then enter your custom header in the Enter string value dialog box and select OK.
  • When composing a message, select the double arrows ( >>) in the address field, then select your custom header.

This article explains how to set up a custom header for messages in Thunderbird.

Add a Custom Header to Email in Thunderbird

By default, Thunderbird uses standard email headers such as From, To, Cc, and Subject. If you'd like to create custom email headers, these become part of the list of available header options when you compose a new message.

Here's how to add custom email headers:

  1. Select Thunderbird > Preferences from the menu bar in Mozilla Thunderbird.

    Select Thunderbird > Preferences from the menu bar in Mozilla Thunderbird.

  2. In the General category, scroll down and select Config Editor.

    In the General category, scroll down and select Config Editor.

  3. You'll see a warning screen explaining that continuing may void your warranty. Select I accept the risk to continue.

    Warning screen explaining that continuing may void your warranty. Select I accept the risk! to continue.

  4. In the search field, type mail.compose.other.header.

    In the search field, type mail.compose.other.header.

  5. In the search results, double-click mail.compose.other.header.

    In the search results, double-click mail.compose.other.header.

  6. In the Enter string value dialog box, enter your custom header and select OK.

    In the Enter string value dialog box, enter your custom header and select OK.

    Separate multiple headers with commas. For example, typing Sender:, X-Y: adds the Sender and X-Y headers.

  7. Select the X to close out of about:config.

    Select the X to close out of about:config.

  8. Select the X to close out of Preferences.

    Select the X to close out of Preferences.

  9. Select Write to start a new message.

    Select Write to start a new message.

  10. Select the double arrow to access other types of addressing fields.

    Select the double arrow to access other types of addressing fields.

  11. Select your custom header from the drop-down menu.

    Select your custom header from the drop-down menu.

  12. Your custom header is now included in the message.

    Your custom header is now included in the message.

What Is Thunderbird?

Thunderbird is a popular, full-featured, free email application from Mozilla. It offers many ways to customize your email experience, such as adding custom email headers. If you'd like to add personalized headers to your messages for tagging, tracking, marketing, or other purposes, Mozilla makes it easy.

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