How to Send Mail from a Custom Email Address with Gmail

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

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 February 03, 2020

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. Select the Settings gear icon in Gmail.

    Gmail with the gear icon highlighted

  2. Choose Settings.

    Gmail gear menu with Settings highlighted

  3. Go to the Accounts and Import tab.

    Gmail settings with the Accounts and Import header highlighted

  4. In the Send mail as section, select Add another email address.

    Gmail Accounts and Import settings with the "add another email address" link highlighted

  5. In the Add another email address you own screen, type your display name and email address, then select the Treat as an alias check box.

    Add another email address window in Gmail with the "Treat as an alias" box highlighted

  6. Select Next Step to continue.

    "Add another email address" window in Gmail with the "Next Step" button highlighted

  7. The add-address wizard evaluates your entry. If it can determine your address's server settings, the wizard prompts you to send a verification message.

    If it can't identify the settings based on your email address, manually input your SMTP settings — the server and port, your username, and your password. Then, select Add Account.

    Gmail's "add another email address" window with the Add Account button highlighted

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

  9. Close the Confirmation Success window.

  10. When you send messages from Gmail, select the From drop-down arrow and choose the account from which you want to send the message.

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

When you send mail from an address that is 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 (those who use Outlook, for example) may see your message coming from "…@gmail.com; on behalf of…" when you send messages from your other email address.