You can create a new email address in minutes through Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider

Creating a second email address takes about five minutes and requires only a web browser and a password you can remember. You do not need to close your existing email or pay anything. The main decision is which provider to use — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and ProtonMail are the most common — and whether you want the new address to be completely separate from your current one or linked to it for easier management.

The process is the same across all major providers: you visit their sign-up page, enter a username or choose from available options, create a password, verify your identity (usually by phone or recovery email), and you are done. Your new address works when ready for sending and receiving mail.

Key Takeaways

  • Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all let you create a new address for free through their websites without closing any existing account.
  • You will need a phone number or an existing email address to verify your identity during sign-up.
  • If you want to manage multiple addresses in one place, Gmail and Outlook let you add other accounts to their apps so you can switch between them without logging out.
  • Choose a username that does not contain your full name if you want the address to be more private.
  • Write down your new password somewhere safe, or use a password manager, because you cannot recover it through the email address itself.

Creating a Gmail address

Go to accounts.google.com/signup in any web browser. Enter your first and last name, then choose a username — this becomes the part before @gmail.com. Google will suggest available options if your first choice is taken. You can use numbers, periods, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters.

Create a password at least eight characters long, mixing uppercase and lowercase letters with numbers. Google will tell you if it is too weak. Enter your phone number or recovery email address, then Google will send a verification code to that number or address. Type the code into the form to confirm you own it. You can then add a recovery phone number and birthday if you want, though these are optional. Once you click through, your account is active and ready to use.

Creating an Outlook or Microsoft email address

Go to outlook.live.com and click "Create account" or "Create free account" (the button location changes). Choose whether you want an address ending in @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, or @live.com — all three work the same way and are managed through the same inbox. Enter your chosen username, then create a password following Microsoft's requirements (usually at least eight characters with uppercase, lowercase, and a number).

Microsoft will ask for a phone number or backup email to verify your identity. You will receive a code by text or email, which you enter to confirm. Add your birth date and country, then finish. Your new address is ready when ready.

Creating a Yahoo Mail address

Visit mail.yahoo.com and select "Create an account." Enter your first and last name, then choose a username for your @yahoo.com address. Yahoo shows you available options in real time as you type. Create a password, then provide a phone number for verification. Yahoo will text you a code; enter it to confirm. You can skip adding a recovery email, though Yahoo recommends it. Once verified, your account opens and you can start sending and receiving mail.

Managing multiple addresses without logging out

If you create a second address with the same provider (two Gmail accounts, for example), you can add both to the Gmail app or Outlook app on your phone or computer. This lets you switch between them without logging out and logging back in each time.

In Gmail, open Settings, go to "Accounts and Import," and select "Add another account." Enter the email address and password of your second Gmail account. Gmail will verify it and add it to your inbox switcher — a dropdown menu at the top left where you can jump between accounts. Outlook works the same way: go to Settings, select "Accounts," then "Add account," and enter your second Outlook address.

If your second address is with a different provider (Gmail and Yahoo, for example), you can still add it to Gmail or Outlook, but the process is slightly different and requires you to generate a special password through the other provider's security settings. This is more complex and usually only worth doing if you check one address much more often than the other.

Choosing a username that protects your privacy

Your email username becomes visible to anyone you email, so think about what you want people to see. A username like firstname.lastname@gmail.com is straightforward to remember but tells anyone who receives your mail exactly who you are. A username like randomnumber1847@gmail.com or a made-up word is harder to connect to your real identity.

If you are creating the address for a specific purpose — a work account, a shopping account, a forum — consider using a username that hints at that purpose without including your real name. For example, "2024.freelance@gmail.com" tells you what the account is for without identifying you personally. You can always add your real name in the account's display name setting later, which controls what appears in the "From" line when you send mail.

Keeping your new password safe

Your email password is the key to everything in that account — password resets for other services, access to stored documents, recovery codes for two-factor authentication. Do not use the same password as your other email or bank accounts. Do not write it on a sticky note on your monitor.

Use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane to store it. These tools generate strong passwords and remember them for you, so you only have to remember one master password. If you do not use a password manager, write the password in a notebook you keep in a safe place — not your phone, not a document on your computer. You cannot recover a forgotten email password by using the email address itself, so losing it means you lose access to the account.

What to do if your chosen username is already taken

All major providers show you available usernames as you type. If your first choice is taken, the provider will suggest alternatives — usually your name with numbers added, or variations with underscores or periods. You can accept one of these suggestions or keep typing until you find something available that you like.

You cannot claim a username that someone else owns, and you cannot put a username on a waiting list. If the exact username you want is taken, your options are to choose a variation or try a different provider. Some people create addresses with multiple providers (one Gmail, one Outlook) to get the exact username they want, though this means managing two separate accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to close my old email address to create a new one?

No. You can have as many email addresses as you want, and they do not interfere with each other. You can keep your old address active and use the new one for a different purpose, or let the old one sit unused. Closing an email account is permanent and deletes all messages in it, so only do that if you are certain you do not need it anymore.

Can I change my email address after I create it?

No. Once you create an address like yourname@gmail.com, you cannot change the username part. You can change your display name (what appears in the "From" line), but not the address itself. If you hate your username, your only option is to create a new address and forward mail from the old one to the new one.

What if I forget my password?

Go to the provider's sign-in page and click "Forgot password?" or "Can't sign in?" You will be asked to verify your identity using your recovery phone number or backup email address. The provider will send you a code or a link to reset your password. If you do not have access to your recovery phone or email, you may not be able to regain access to the account.

Can I use a fake name when I create an email address?

Yes. Providers do not verify that the name you enter is your real name. You can enter any name you want. However, if you later use the account for banking, shopping, or other services that require identity verification, you may need to update the name to match your legal documents.

Is it safe to create an email address with my phone number?

Yes. Providers use your phone number only to verify that you own the account during sign-up. They do not sell your number or use it for marketing unless you separately opt in. Your phone number is stored securely and is not visible to people you email.