Gmail sign up: how to create an account

Before signing up: which account do you need?

A Google Account does not always include Gmail. To get a new @gmail.com inbox, choose a Gmail address during registration.

Have your details, date of birth, a unique password, and any verification methods Google requests ready.

Reference: Google's account creation options.

This guide covers a personal account. For email using a business domain, review Google Workspace; its plans and administration are different.

Already have a Hotmail address and just need to read your messages? Our Hotmail and Outlook.com login guide covers access to that mailbox.

How to create your Gmail account

1. Open registration. Visit accounts.google.com/signup.
2. Choose personal use. For a child, follow the family account process.
3. Enter your details. Follow the prompts on Google's form.
4. Choose an address. Accept a suggestion or enter an available username.
5. Set up access. Configure your password and complete the requested verification.
6. Review the terms and privacy choices. If you agree, finish registration and open Gmail.

The order and wording of screens can change. Follow the official form shown on your device.

References: Google's Gmail registration help and Google Account setup.

Create Gmail on Android or iPhone

On Android or iPhone, open the signup link in your browser. Check which account is shown if you already have an active session.

After creating the address, open the Gmail app. From the profile menu, choose to add another account, select Google, and sign in with your new address. If the account is already listed, select it.

For the app instructions, see how to sign in to Gmail on your phone.

Official references: account registration, access on Android, and access on iPhone and iPad.

How to choose a valid Gmail address

The username before @gmail.com must be 6 to 30 characters long. Use letters a–z, numbers, and periods. Hyphens, underscores, spaces, and a plus sign are not allowed in the username you register.

Avoid a period at the beginning or end, or consecutive periods. An address that is easy to say and spell is usually more practical than a long sequence of numbers.

Reference: Google's username rules.

Why is the username I want unavailable?

It may be taken, too similar to an existing name, previously used by a deleted account, or reserved by Google. Try a different combination; deleting an account does not automatically make its address available again.

Reference: Google's explanation of unavailable usernames.

Reference: Google's explanation of periods in Gmail addresses.

Can you create Gmail without a phone number?

Adding a phone number may be optional at some steps, but Google can require phone verification before allowing registration. There is no guaranteed option to complete every signup without a number.

Enter the code only in the Google process you started. Avoid public numbers for receiving codes: other people could read those messages too.

References: Google's phone verification troubleshooting and optional registration details.

Minimum age and accounts for children

The age for managing your own account depends on your country. In Peru, it is 14; Google also lists Spain, Chile, and Colombia at 14. Check the requirement for other countries instead of assuming the minimum is always 13.

Reference: Google's minimum ages by country.

For younger children, a parent or guardian can review creating a supervised account through Family Link. Follow the child account process and enter the child's real date of birth. School-managed accounts can follow different requirements.

Reference: Google's child account and family supervision guidance.

What to set up after creating your email

1. Save a unique password

Avoid reusing another account's password or including easy-to-guess details such as your birthday. Google recommends a long password of at least 12 characters. That is security advice, rather than a description of the minimum every form might accept. A password manager can help you store it.

Reference: Google's password security guidance.

2. Add recovery options

Review your recovery phone and email in your Google Account. Use details you control and keep them up to date when you change numbers or stop using that other inbox. These options help if you lose access; they do not replace ownership verification.

Reference: Google's recovery settings.

3. Enable extra protection

Review two-step verification and passkeys in your security settings. With two-step verification enabled, password sign-in can require another check; a passkey can verify you without that separate second step.

Reference: Google's two-step verification options.

Frequently asked questions about Gmail signup

Related email guides

Sources and review

This guide was checked against Google's public documentation on September 9, 2026. Each section links to the relevant source. Steps can vary by device, age, account type, and the verification Google requests.

• Registering an account for Gmail.
• Phone verification help.
• Age requirements by country.

Gmail and Google are Google trademarks. This is an independent Identifica guide, not a registration form or an official Google service.