How to Schedule an Email in Gmail and Outlook

Write now, send later. Here's how to schedule emails in Gmail and Outlook on computer and phone, and how to change or cancel a scheduled message.

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Published 5 min read
Checked against 2 sources
Illustration: How to Schedule an Email in Gmail and Outlook

The short answer

In Gmail, click the arrow next to Send, choose Schedule send, and pick a time. In new Outlook and Outlook on the web, click the arrow next to Send, choose Schedule send, and set the date and time. In classic Outlook for Windows, use Options › Delay Delivery, and keep Outlook open until it sends.

Scheduling an email lets you write it now and have it arrive at the right time: during your recipient’s working hours, on a birthday, or after you’ve had time to reread it.

Gmail on a computer

  1. Write your email.
  2. Click the arrow next to Send.
  3. Click Schedule send.
  4. Choose a suggested time, or Pick date & time and click Schedule send.

Change or cancel it

  1. Open the Scheduled folder in the left menu.
  2. Open the email and click Cancel send. It turns back into a draft you can edit and reschedule.

Gmail app (Android and iPhone)

  1. Write your email.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu at the top right.
  3. Tap Schedule send and choose a time.

Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows

  1. Write your message.
  2. Click the arrow next to Send.
  3. Choose Schedule send, then pick a suggested time or a custom time.

Scheduled messages wait in Drafts. To send one right away, Microsoft says to open it from the Drafts folder, select the edit pencil icon, then select Send Now.

Classic Outlook for Windows

  1. Write your message.
  2. Select Options › Delay Delivery.
  3. Under Delivery options, tick Do not deliver before and choose the date and time.
  4. Select Close, then Send.

The message waits in your Outbox. Microsoft notes that Outlook must be online and connected at that time for the message to send.

Outlook mobile app

In the Outlook app, write your message, tap the three-dot menu or the arrow by Send (depending on version), and choose Schedule send.

Tips

  • Time zones: the scheduled time uses your own time zone, so convert it if your recipient is elsewhere.
  • Don’t schedule sensitive emails too far ahead in case circumstances change.
  • Made a mistake right after sending? Gmail’s Undo Send can help. See how to unsend an email in Gmail.

Sent something too early? Here’s how to unsend an email in Gmail. If your Gmail is running out of space, see how to free up Google storage.

The bottom line

In both Gmail and Outlook, look for the arrow next to Send and choose Schedule send. In classic Outlook, use Delay Delivery and keep Outlook running.

Frequently asked questions

Does my computer need to be on for a scheduled email to send?

For Gmail, new Outlook and Outlook on the web, no: messages are sent from the server. In classic Outlook's Delay Delivery, Outlook must be open and connected at the scheduled time.

Where do scheduled emails go?

In Gmail they're in the Scheduled folder. In new Outlook and Outlook on the web they're kept in Drafts until they send. In classic Outlook, delayed messages wait in the Outbox.

How many emails can I schedule in Gmail?

Gmail lets you schedule up to 100 emails at a time.

Why you can trust this guide
  • Based on official sources. The steps here are checked against the 2 official sources listed below, such as the help pages of the companies involved.
  • Checked and dated. Last checked on November 10, 2026. We update guides when software or advice changes.
  • Independent. No company paid for or reviewed this guide. We don't sell products, and ads never influence our advice.
  • Open to corrections. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll fix it. Read how we research.

Sources

  1. Gmail Help — Schedule emails to be sent later
  2. Microsoft Support — Delay or schedule sending email messages in Outlook

This guide is general information. Menus and features can change with software updates, and steps may differ on your device or version. Back up important data before making big changes. Read our disclaimer.

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