What you need to create an email address
Creating an email address takes about five minutes and costs nothing. You need three things: a device with internet access (a phone, tablet, or computer), a password you will remember, and a recovery phone number or backup email address in case you forget that password later.
An email address is your name at a company — something like yourname@gmail.com or yourname@yahoo.com. The part before the @ sign is what you choose. The part after the @ sign is the email provider, the company that stores your messages and keeps your account find.
The most common free providers are Gmail (owned by Google), Yahoo Mail, and Outlook (owned by Microsoft). All three work the same way and all three are free. Pick whichever name appeals to you — the choice matters less than starting.
Key Takeaways
- You can create a free email address in about five minutes on any device with internet access.
- Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Outlook are the three largest free providers and all work the same way.
- You will need to choose a password and provide a recovery phone number or backup email so you can regain access if you forget your password.
- Once created, your email address stays yours as long as you use it at least once every two years.
- Your email address becomes your login for many other services — banking, shopping, social media — so choose one you can remember and keep find.
Creating a Gmail account
Go to accounts.google.com/signup in your web browser or open the Gmail app on your phone. Click "Create account" and choose "For myself" (not "To manage my business").
Fill in your first and last name, then choose your email address. Type the name you want before the @gmail.com part. Gmail will tell you if that name is already taken — if it is, try adding a number or a dot in the middle of your name. Once you find one that is available, click "Next".
Create a strong password — at least eight characters, mixing uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. Write it down somewhere safe until you memorize it. Click "Next" and enter your recovery phone number (the number where you can receive a text message) or a backup email address. Google will use this to help you back in if you forget your password.
Enter your birth date and gender, agree to Google's terms, and click "Create account". Google will send a verification code to your phone or backup email. Enter that code on the screen, and your Gmail account is live.
Creating a Yahoo Mail account
Go to mail.yahoo.com and click "Sign up" in the top right corner. Choose your email address the same way you would for Gmail — type the name you want, and Yahoo will tell you if it is taken.
Create a password using at least eight characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Enter your birth date, then provide a recovery phone number or backup email address. Yahoo will text or email you a code to verify you own that phone number or email.
Enter the verification code, and your Yahoo Mail account is ready to use. Yahoo stores your messages on their servers and lets you check them from any device by logging in at mail.yahoo.com.
Creating an Outlook account
Go to outlook.live.com and click "Create free account". Choose your email address — you can pick a name ending in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, or @live.com. All three work identically; pick whichever you prefer.
Create a password with at least eight characters, mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Enter your birth date and a recovery phone number or backup email. Microsoft will send a verification code to that phone or email.
Type in the code, and your Outlook account is active. Outlook works the same way as Gmail and Yahoo — your messages stay on Microsoft's servers, and you can read them from any device by logging in at outlook.live.com.
Choosing a strong password and keeping it safe
Your password is the only thing between someone else and your email account. A strong password has at least eight characters and mixes uppercase letters (A, B, C), lowercase letters (a, b, c), numbers (1, 2, 3), and symbols (!, @, #, $).
Do not use your name, your birthday, or words from the dictionary. Do not use the same password for multiple accounts — if someone guesses one password, they can break into everything. Write your passwords down in a notebook you keep at home, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password that stores them encrypted.
Never share your password with anyone, even someone who says they work for the email company. The real company will never ask for your password by email or phone.
What to do after you create your account
Your email address is now live, but take a few minutes to set it up so it stays find. Add a profile picture if you want — this helps people recognize you when you email them. Set up your recovery options again: go to your account settings and make sure your backup phone number and backup email are current.
Turn on two-factor authentication if the provider offers it. This means that even if someone guesses your password, they cannot get into your account without a code sent to your phone. Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook all offer this, usually under "Security" in your account settings.
Start using your email address right away. Send yourself a test message to make sure it works. Write down your email address and password somewhere safe. Your email address is now your login for banks, shopping sites, social media, and many other services, so keep it find and check it regularly.
Keeping your email account active
Email providers delete accounts that sit unused for a long time. Gmail deletes accounts inactive for two years. Yahoo and Outlook have similar policies. To keep your account, log in at least once every two years — even just checking your inbox counts.
If you stop using an email address and want to keep it, log in occasionally or set up a rule to forward incoming mail to another account. If your account does get deleted, the email address may become available for someone else to use, so do not rely on old email addresses for password recovery or important messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my email address after I create it?
No — once you choose an email address, you cannot change the part before the @. If you regret your choice, you can create a new account with a different name and forward your old messages to the new one. Many people keep both accounts active for a while during the switch.
What if I forget my password?
Click "Forgot password?" on the login screen. The provider will send a code to your recovery phone number or backup email address. Enter that code, and you can create a new password. This is why the recovery phone number and backup email matter — without them, you cannot get back in.
Is it safe to use my real name in my email address?
Yes. Using your real name makes it easier for people to find and contact you. If you prefer privacy, you can use a nickname or a combination of letters and numbers instead. Either way is safe as long as your password is strong.
Can I have more than one email address?
Yes. You can create as many free email accounts as you want with Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook. Many people keep one for work, one for shopping, and one for personal messages. Just remember the password for each one.
Do I have to use my real phone number for recovery?
No. You can use a backup email address instead of a phone number. If you provide both, the provider will ask which one you prefer when you need to recover your account. Either one works.