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How to Schedule an Email to Send Later in Gmail

Writing an email late at night doesn't mean it has to land in someone's inbox at an inconvenient hour. Scheduling a send time lets your message arrive exactly when you want it to, even if you're not at your desk.

  1. Write your email and click the arrow next to Send

    Finish composing your message, then click the small down arrow (v) to the right of the "Send" button.

  2. Select "Schedule send"

    Choose "Schedule send" from the menu that appears.

  3. Pick a date and time

    Choose one of the suggested times, or select "Pick date & time" to set the exact moment you want it sent.

  4. Cancel or edit from the "Scheduled" folder

    Scheduled emails appear in the "Scheduled" folder in the left sidebar, where you can cancel or reschedule them anytime before they go out.

  5. Why this is worth using

    Writing a message whenever inspiration strikes and having it arrive during the recipient's working hours β€” accounting for time zones or normal business hours β€” is a small habit that reads as more considerate.

Send at the right time, not just when you finish writing

A message sent at 2am can come across as disruptive even if the content is completely reasonable β€” and if you're working across time zones, a scheduled send removes the guesswork entirely. Draft it whenever you have the time and let it land exactly when it should.

Managing scheduled emails

A scheduled email isn't locked in stone. If you spot a typo or change your mind about the timing, opening it from the "Scheduled" folder and canceling sends it back to Drafts, where you can edit the content and either reschedule it or send it immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a scheduled email before it goes out?

Yes. Cancel the scheduled send from the "Scheduled" folder, which returns the message to Drafts. From there you can edit the content and either send it right away or schedule it again.

Will it still send if my computer or phone is turned off at the scheduled time?

Yes. Since scheduled sends are processed on Google's servers, the message goes out at the exact time you set regardless of whether your device is on or connected to the internet.