SMTP settings for Gmail
These are the SMTP settings you need to send email using a Gmail or Google Workspace account through a third-party app, website, or email client.
SMTP settings
| Setting | Value |
| SMTP server | smtp.gmail.com |
| Port | 587 (TLS) or 465 (SSL) |
| Encryption | TLS or SSL |
| Authentication | Required |
| Username | Your full Gmail address (for example, [email protected]) |
| Password | App password (not your regular Gmail password) |
Notes:
- Gmail requires authentication for SMTP.
- If you use two-step verification, you must generate an app password.
- These settings apply to both free Gmail and Google Workspace accounts.
Before you start
Before using Gmail’s SMTP server, check the following:
- 2-Step Verification is enabled on your Google account.
- You have created an app password for the app or service you’re connecting.
- You are using your full email address as the username.
- SMTP access is allowed in the app or platform you’re configuring.
If 2-Step Verification isn’t enabled, Gmail may block SMTP access.
Google’s App Passwords interface may look different depending on your account and security settings. If you don’t see the option immediately, make sure 2-Step Verification is fully enabled, or visit the App Passwords page directly.
How to use these settings
- Open the email or SMTP settings in your app or platform.
- Select SMTP as the outgoing mail server.
- Enter smtp.gmail.com as the server address.
- Choose port 587 with TLS or 465 with SSL.
- Enable authentication.
- Enter your full Gmail address and app password.
- Save the settings and send a test email.
Common SMTP issues and quick fixes
| Issue | Likely cause | Quick fix |
| Authentication failed | App password is missing, expired, or incorrect | Generate a new app password and update it in your SMTP settings |
| Connection timed out | Port is blocked or encryption type is incorrect | Switch ports (587 TLS ↔ 465 SSL) and check firewall rules |
| Emails won’t send | SMTP authentication is disabled or daily sending limit reached | Enable SMTP authentication and check your Gmail sending limits |
| Access blocked by Google | Two-step verification or app passwords are not set up | Enable two-step verification and create an app password |
Sending limits
Gmail applies daily sending limits:
- Free Gmail accounts: around 500 emails per day.
- Google Workspace accounts: up to around 2,000 emails per day.
Limits reset on a rolling 24-hour basis and include all SMTP-sent messages.
Conclusion
Getting your SMTP settings right is the key to reliable sending and smooth email delivery. With the correct server, ports, encryption, and an app password in place, most issues come down to authentication or provider limits, both of which can be resolved quickly with the right settings.
For more clarity around related email standards and behaviour, check out these useful guides from the Warmup Inbox glossary:
- What is SPF? – Learn how SPF helps receiving servers trust your mail.
- What is DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)? – Understand how DKIM adds a cryptographic signature to your messages.
- What is DMARC? – See how DMARC ties SPF and DKIM together for stronger email authentication.
- How to unsend an email – A quick explanation of recall and undo options in modern email clients.
