Do you actually need to sign up — or sign in?
Many people land on a signup page when they really want to recover or sign in to an existing mailbox. Creating a new account does not restore old emails, contacts or the original address, so it is worth choosing the right path first.
If you already have Gmail, use our Gmail login guide. Forgot the password? Start with Google Account recovery. Only need a second address under the same account? Google lets you add an email alias instead of a whole new mailbox.
Before you create a new Gmail account
Have a few possible usernames ready and choose a password you do not use elsewhere. Google may also request verification during registration, so follow the requirements shown on your screen.
Want a new @gmail.com address? Choose the option to create a Gmail address. Using an existing non-Gmail email to register a Google Account does not itself create a new Gmail mailbox.
How to create a Gmail account on a computer
- Open Google's account creation page. If you start at the sign-in screen, select Create account.
- Choose the appropriate account type. For your own personal email, select For my personal use.
- Provide the details Google requests, such as your name and date of birth.
- Choose a suggested Gmail address or create your own available username.
- Create a strong password and confirm it when requested.
- Complete any verification steps and review the recovery options presented.
- Read Google's privacy information and terms, then complete registration if you agree.
After setup, open Gmail with your new account. Google may change the order or wording of individual screens.
Create a Gmail account on Android or iPhone
The browser route works on either platform: open Google's signup page in your phone's browser and follow the registration steps above.
You can also start from the Gmail app. Tap your profile picture, choose Add another account → Google, then select Create account when the Google sign-in screen offers it. Follow the instructions for the account type you need.
If Gmail opens an existing inbox, you are already signed in to that account. Check the address in the profile menu before creating or switching accounts.
Choose a Gmail username that works for you
Your username is the part before @gmail.com. Pick something you can comfortably share on applications, forms and phone calls. Consider a combination of your name, initials or a short meaningful word; avoid putting sensitive information such as your full date of birth in a public address.
Google's username guidance specifies a length of 6–30 characters. Follow the character rules and availability messages shown in the signup form.
If your preferred address is unavailable
Try a different combination. An unavailable name may already be used, resemble another username, have belonged to a deleted account, or be reserved by Google.
Adding dots does not create a different personal Gmail address
For personal @gmail.com addresses, Google ignores dots in the username. Adding a dot to an address that someone already owns will not make it available for a new account. Work or school addresses on custom domains can behave differently.
Can you sign up for Gmail without a phone number?
This is one of the most searched — and most over-promised — parts of Gmail signup, so here is the honest version.
Sometimes Google lets you finish signup without adding a phone number, and a recovery phone is often optional. But a phone number used for recovery and a phone number used for verification are two different things. Even when recovery is optional, Google may still require a one-time phone verification to confirm you are a real person and to limit mass or automated account creation.
There is no guaranteed "no phone number" route, and anyone promising one is usually selling something. In particular:
Never do this: do not pay a service to "create the account for you", and never share a verification code with someone who says they will register it on your behalf. A verification code is a key to the account — whoever receives it controls it.
If you genuinely cannot complete phone verification, the safer options are to try later from a device and network you normally use, or to accept the verification step rather than hunting for a bypass that compromises the account.
Common Gmail signup errors — and what each one means
If you see one of these messages, match it to the row below. The wording is close to what Google shows during signup and recovery.
| Message you see | What it means & what to do |
|---|---|
That username is taken. Try another. | The name already exists, resembles an existing one, belonged to a deleted account, or is reserved. Pick a different combination — adding dots will not free up a personal Gmail address. |
Enter a valid email / username | The username breaks a character or length rule. Personal Gmail usernames are 6–30 characters; follow the on-screen character rules. |
This phone number has been used too many times | Google limits how often one number can verify accounts. Use a different number you control or have permission to use; do not buy numbers or codes. |
Your verification code didn't arrive / Didn't get a code? | Recheck the number for typos, wait a few minutes, and use the call option if offered. Signal and carrier delays are common. |
Couldn't create your account / Try again later | A temporary or abuse-prevention block. Try later from a familiar device and network rather than switching tricks repeatedly. |
This account already exists (or an inbox opens) | You are signed in somewhere. Use the account chooser to add another account, or sign out first. |
Gmail signup scams and how to avoid them
Account-creation and "email support" are common lures for phishing and social engineering. A few patterns are worth recognising before, during and after signup.
Fake signup pages
Look-alike pages that copy Google's design to harvest a password. Real account creation only happens on accounts.google.com — check the address bar before typing anything.
"I'll make the account for you"
Someone offers to register or verify an account if you forward the code. The code is the key to the account — share it and they own it, not you.
Fake "Gmail support" numbers
Gmail has no paid phone hotline that creates or unlocks accounts. Numbers promising this in ads or forums are scams.
"Verify to keep your new account"
Emails or texts right after signup, pushing you to a link to "confirm". Go to Gmail directly instead of following links in unexpected messages.
Safe rule of thumb: your password and any verification code should only ever be entered on Google's own pages, and never read out, forwarded or pasted anywhere else — including to a human claiming to help.
Gmail or Outlook/Hotmail — which should you create?
If you have not committed to a provider yet, here is how a new personal Gmail compares with a new Microsoft (Outlook.com / Hotmail) account at signup.
| At signup | Gmail (Google) | Outlook.com / Hotmail (Microsoft) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free standard account | Free standard account |
| Address options | @gmail.com | @outlook.com, sometimes @hotmail.com (varies) |
| Phone at signup | Often optional, sometimes required for verification | Often optional, sometimes required for verification |
| Second address | New account, or a dotted/same mailbox | New account, or an alias on the same account |
| Child accounts | Supported with parental setup | Supported with parental sign-in |
| Our guide | You're reading it | Hotmail / Outlook signup |
Protect your account after signup
Once the inbox opens, spend a few minutes on account security:
- Add recovery information you can keep up to date.
- Enable 2-Step Verification and review the sign-in methods available to your account.
- Use a unique password and store it in a trusted password manager.
- Consider a passkey on a device you personally own.
- Review connected apps and devices through Google Account security settings.
Save your new email address somewhere you can find it. Before sharing it widely, send a test message to an address you control and confirm that you can receive a reply.
Gmail signup questions
What is the official Gmail signup link?
Use accounts.google.com/signup. Personal details and verification codes belong in Google's registration flow, not in this guide.
Is a personal Gmail account free?
A standard personal Gmail account is free. Optional paid storage and Google Workspace subscriptions are separate products; they are not required just to create a standard personal mailbox.
Can I create another Gmail account?
You can begin another registration through Google's signup page. The new address must be available, and Google may apply verification requirements. An additional account has its own mailbox.
Can I create a Gmail account for my child?
Use Google's child-account option and follow the parental setup requirements. Age and supervision requirements vary by country. See Google's child-account instructions.
Can I sign up for Gmail without a phone number?
Sometimes yes, but Google may still require phone verification to confirm you are a real person. There is no guaranteed no-phone route, and you should never pay a third party or share a code to bypass it. See the phone-number section above.
Can I sign up using my current email address?
Google offers an existing-email option for creating a Google Account. If your goal is a new Gmail inbox, choose the option that creates a Gmail address instead.
Where do I sign in after registration?
Open Gmail and select your new account. For device instructions and access problems, see our Gmail login guide.
Official sources and related help
Source documentation reviewed on . The options you see depend on your device, country and account.