How to Schedule Email in Microsoft Outlook

Write now, send later

Delay sending mail in Outlook
by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated April 16, 2019

Timing is everything, and sometimes an email is better sent later than right away. Whatever the situation, Outlook has you covered by letting you schedule an email to send later.

Instructions in this article apply to Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2010, and Outlook for Office 365.

Schedule an Email to Send Later in Outlook

Outlook allows you to specify exactly when you'd like your email to be sent.

  1. Compose a message. Either create a new message, reply to a message, or forward a message.

  2. Go to the Options tab.

    Screenshot of Options tab in Outlook message window

  3. In the More Options group, select Delay Delivery.

  4. In the Properties dialog box, select the Do not deliver before check box.

    Screenshot of Delay Delivery Propteries

  5. Choose the date and time when you want to send the message.

  6. Select Close.

  7. In the message window, select Send.

This puts your message in the Outbox until the time you specified arrives, and then it is sent.