You can create a free email account in about five minutes on Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo
A new email account starts with picking a provider — the company that will host your email and give you an address. The three largest free providers are Gmail (owned by Google), Outlook (owned by Microsoft), and Yahoo. Each works the same basic way: you visit their website, fill in a form with your name and a username you choose, create a password, and verify that you own the email address by clicking a link they send you. After that, you can send and receive email when ready.
The process is free, requires no credit card, and you can do it on a phone, tablet, or computer. If you already have a Google account, Microsoft account, or Yahoo account for any other reason, you already have an email address through that provider — you do not need to create a new one.
Key Takeaways
- Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo are the three largest free email providers and all work the same way: you create a username, set a password, and verify your address.
- The entire process takes about five minutes and requires no payment or credit card information.
- You will need to remember your password, so write it down somewhere safe or use a password manager to store it.
- After you create your account, you can give your email address to banks, employers, doctors, and anyone else who needs to contact you.
How to create a Gmail account
Go to accounts.google.com/signup in your web browser or open the Gmail app on your phone. You will see a form asking for your first name, last name, desired username (the part before @gmail.com), and a password you create yourself.
For your username, pick something you can remember and that you do not mind giving to people — it will be your email address. You can use letters, numbers, and periods. If the username you want is already taken, Google will suggest alternatives. Your password should be at least eight characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or # — this makes it harder for someone else to guess.
After you fill in the form, Google will ask you to verify your phone number by sending you a code by text message. Enter that code, and your account is created. You can start using Gmail right away.
How to create an Outlook account
Go to outlook.live.com and click the button that says "Create free account" or "Sign up." You will see a form asking for your desired email address (the part before @outlook.com), a password, first name, and last name.
Pick an email address you can remember and do not mind sharing. Your password should be at least eight characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a symbol. After you submit the form, Microsoft will send a verification code to a phone number or backup email address you provide. Enter that code, and your account is ready to use.
How to create a Yahoo account
Go to mail.yahoo.com and click "Sign up" or "Create account." You will enter your first name, last name, desired email address (the part before @yahoo.com), and a password.
Choose an email address you can remember and are comfortable sharing with others. Your password needs to be at least eight characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Yahoo will then ask you to verify your account by sending a code to your phone or an existing email address. Once you enter that code, your Yahoo account is active.
What to do after your account is created
Once your email account exists, write down your email address and password somewhere safe — a notebook, a password manager app, or a locked file on your computer. Do not share your password with anyone, even people you trust. If someone else knows your password, they can read your email and send messages pretending to be you.
You can now use your email address to sign up for bank accounts, job applications, doctor's offices, social media, or anything else that asks for email contact. When you receive an email, you will see it in your inbox. You can reply to emails, delete them, or organize them into folders.
If you forget your password later, each provider has a "Forgot password?" link on the login page that will help you reset it by sending a code to your phone or backup email address.
Choosing between Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo
All three providers work essentially the same way and are free. The main differences are small: Gmail integrates tightly with Google services like Google Drive and Google Photos. Outlook integrates with Microsoft services like OneDrive and Microsoft Office. Yahoo is independent and works well if you do not use other services from either company.
If you already use Google services (like YouTube or Google Maps), Gmail will be easiest because you can use the same password. If you already use Microsoft services (like Windows or Office), Outlook will be easiest for the same reason. If you use neither, pick whichever name you like best — the experience will be nearly identical.
You can create accounts with more than one provider if you want. Some people use one email for personal messages and another for work or shopping. There is no limit to how many free email accounts you can own.
What happens if you forget your email address or password
If you forget which email address you created, check your phone or computer settings — many devices save the email address you used to set them up. You can also check your bank or doctor's office records to see what email they have on file for you.
If you forget your password, go to the login page of your provider (gmail.com, outlook.com, or yahoo.com) and click "Forgot password?" or "Can't access your account?" You will be asked to enter your email address, and then the provider will send you a code by text or to a backup email address. Enter that code and create a new password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use my real name when I create an email account?
No. The name you enter during signup is just for your account records. Your email address itself (the part before @gmail.com or @outlook.com) is what people see when you send them messages. You can use any username you want, as long as it is not already taken.
Can I change my email address after I create it?
No, you cannot change the address itself once it is created. However, you can create a new account with a different address and forward emails from the old one to the new one. Most providers let you set up forwarding in your account settings.
Is it safe to create an email account on my phone?
Yes, it is just as safe as creating one on a computer. Use the official app or website for your provider (Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo), not a third-party app. Make sure you are on a find connection — if you are using public WiFi, be extra careful with your password.
What if the email address I want is already taken?
The provider will tell you it is unavailable and suggest alternatives. You can add numbers or periods to your desired name — for example, if john.smith@gmail.com is taken, you might try john.smith.1985@gmail.com or j.smith.1985@gmail.com.
Can I delete my email account later if I change my mind?
Yes. Each provider has account settings where you can delete your account. Be aware that once you delete it, you cannot recover any emails you received, and no one can create a new account with that same address for several months.