How to Send Mail from a Custom Email Address with Gmail

Gmail can serve as a central hub for several of your email accounts

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by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated June 19, 2019

You're not limited to your Gmail address when you send messages from Gmail. Set up virtual accounts for any of your addresses and use them to populate the From header.

The information in this article applies to Gmail operating within a browser. Behavior in a mobile app or desktop email client will differ.

Send Mail from a Custom Email Address with Gmail

To set up an email address for use with Gmail:

  1. Click the Settings gear icon in Gmail then click Settings to open the control panel window.

    Gmail window with the settings menu open

  2. Click Accounts and Import > Add another email address. This add-address link is in the section labeled Send mail as.

    Gmail settings for accounts and import

  3. In the pop-up window, type your display name and email address.

    Gmail add-address pop-up window

  4. The add-address wizard evaluates your entry. If it can determine your address's server settings, the wizard prompts you send a verification message. However, if it cannot identify the settings based on your email address, you must manually input your SMTP settings — your server and port, your username, and your password. Enter those items then click Add Account.

    Gmail add-account SMTP settings screen

  5. Check for new email in your email client and follow the verification link.

  6. Close the Confirmation Success window. When you send messages from Gmail, you'll now see a drop-down in the From line that selects the account from which your message will transmit.

Custom Gmail From Addresses, 'On Behalf of' Tags and Sender Policy Framework

When you send mail using an address different from your main @gmail.com address through Gmail servers (instead of an external SMTP server set up for the address), Gmail adds your Gmail address in the email's Sender header.

This procedure complies with sender-authentication schemes such as SPF. While the address in the From line may not specify Gmail as a valid origin, the Gmail Sender header makes sure the message does not raise red alerts for spam and fraud-detection systems.

Some recipients (people using Outlook, for example) may see your message coming from "…@gmail.com; on behalf of…" when you send messages from your other email address.