How to Send a Picture in Gmail

This article explains how to add an inline image to a Gmail email message so that the image appears in the body of the email. Instructions cover Gmail on the desktop and the Gmail mobile app for iOS and Android.

How to Send a Picture in Gmail

To add an image or photo inline to an email you are composing in Gmail on the web with a desktop browser:

1. Make sure the message you are composing is open and visible.

   

   Use the double-sided arrow at the top right of the composition window to make the working area larger.

2. Drag and drop the picture from its folder on your computer to the desired position in the message.

   

   You also can paste the image at the desired location in the email from the clipboard using Control+V (for Windows and Linux) or Command+V (for Mac).

How to Send a Picture From the Web or Google Photos in Gmail

To use an image you found on the web or to upload one from your computer if you don't want to use drag and drop:

1. Position the text cursor where you want the image to appear.

2. Click the Insert Photo icon in the formatting toolbar.

   

3. Select Inline next to Insert images to have the pictures appear inside the email.

   Choose As attachment to send the photo as an attachment.

   

4. To upload an image from your computer, click Upload > Choose photos to upload and open the desired graphic.

   Images you uploaded from your computer remain available in the Insert image dialog box while you compose the message (but not for other emails).

   

5. ​To insert a picture from Google Photos, go to the Photos tab and select the image you want to include.

   In the Albums tab, photos are organized the same way as in your Google Photos albums.

   

6. To use an image found on the web, go to the Web Address (URL) tab. Enter the image's URL next to Paste an image URL here.

   Images from the web appear inline with the message. These images are never sent as attachments. Any recipient who has remote images blocked won't see the image.

   

7. Click Insert.

   

How to Send a Picture Using the Gmail App

To send a photo on Gmail using the iOS or Android app:

1. While composing a message or reply, tap the attachment paperclip icon (📎) and select Attach file from the menu that appears. Select the photos you want to send.

   In iOS, Gmail needs access to Photos. To enable Photos, open the Settings app and tap Gmail > Allow Gmail to Access.

   

2. By default, the picture is sent inline.