How to Send a Picture in Gmail

Add inline images to enahnce your message

by
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Heinz Tschabitscher
Updated on April 20, 2020

In Gmail, you can send pictures in two ways: as attachments and inline — that is, in the body of the email. Here's how to add inline images to an email message.

The process of sending a picture in Gmail differs slightly between the desktop browser and mobile app versions.

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.

    Gmail New Message window

    Press and hold the Shift key, then select Full-screen in the composition pane to open the message in a separate browser window.

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

    Drag and drop image to Gmail New Message screen

    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.

    A screenshot of Gmail with the Insert Image button highlighted

  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.

    A screenshot of the Insert Photo window in Gmail with the Inline button highlighted

  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).

    A screenshot of the Insert Photo window in Gmail with the Upload tab and the "Choose photos" button highlighted

  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.

    A screenshot of the Insert Photo screen in Gmail with the Photos tab highlighted

  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.

    A screenshot of the Insert Photo screen in Gmail with the Web Address tab highlighted

  7. Click Insert.

    A screenshot of the Insert Photo screen in Gmail with the Insert button highlighted

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.

    Tap the camera icon to take a new picture to send with the email

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

    Screenshots of the Gmail app with the attachment and Attach File buttons highlighted

  2. By default, the picture is sent inline. To send as an attachment instead, tap the image to open its context menu and select Send as attachment from that menu. To specify inline, tap the attached picture and select Send inline from the menu.