How to Create (or Remove) a Signature in Gmail

To create a signature in Gmail, click Settings > See all settings, scroll to the Signature section on the General tab, and add your signature text. Pick it as the default for new emails and replies, then click Save Changes. To remove one, click it in the same section, click Delete, and save.

This guide follows Google’s Gmail Help article on creating a signature for computer, iPhone and iPad, and Android, plus Google’s signature troubleshooting guide. It covers creating, editing, switching, and removing signatures, mobile signatures, and common fixes.

How to Create a Signature in Gmail

1. Open Gmail on your computer.
2. At the top right, click Settings (the gear icon), then See all settings.
3. On the General tab, scroll to Signature. If you don’t have one yet, click Create new and give it a name.
4. Type your signature in the box. You can add an image or change the text style.
5. Under Signature defaults, choose it for new emails and for replies and forwards.
6. At the bottom of the page, click Save Changes.

Result: Gmail adds the signature to the end of your messages. Google says a signature can have up to 10,000 characters, and images count toward that limit. If you get an error, Google suggests resizing the image.

How to Edit a Signature

1. Go to Settings > See all settings.
2. Under General, scroll to Signature and click the signature you want to edit.
3. Make your changes in the text box. To rename it, click Edit.
4. Click Save Changes.

How to Remove Your Signature in Gmail

1. Go to Settings > See all settings.
2. Under General, scroll to Signature and click the signature you want to remove.
3. Click Delete, then Delete again to confirm.
4. Click Save Changes.

Result: The signature is gone and won’t be added to new messages. To keep a signature but stop adding it automatically, set the signature defaults to No signature instead.

How to Use Different Signatures

Google lets you keep several signatures. You can set one default for new emails and another for replies, or switch while you write: at the bottom of the compose window, click Insert signature and pick a different one.

If you use the Send mail as feature to send from other addresses, Google says you can add a different signature for each address. Pick the address from the drop-down menu above the signature box. If you don’t see the menu, check that your addresses are listed under Send mail as on the Accounts and Import settings page.

For group replies, you can also set Reply all as Gmail’s default; check the actual recipients before sending a message with your signature.

How to Add a Signature in the Gmail App

Google says a mobile signature appears only in emails you send from the Gmail app. If you don’t create one, new messages from the app use the signature you set up on your computer.

• iPhone or iPad: open Gmail, tap Menu > Settings, and under Compose and Reply, tap Signature settings. Turn on Mobile Signature, type it, then tap Back to save. If you have several accounts in the app, set it for each one. The Gmail app setting does not change Apple Mail, so if messages from your tablet end with a device line, see how to remove Sent from my iPad in the Mail app.
• Android: open Gmail, tap Menu, scroll down and tap Settings, choose the account, tap Mobile signature, type it, and tap OK.

Signature Problems and Fixes

• Formatting looks wrong or shows extra characters: in the Signature section, select your signature and click Remove formatting. Google notes a too-large image can also cause display problems.
• You can’t format the text: if Plain Text appears above the signature box, open a new message, click More options, and uncheck Plain text mode.
• Your signature is hidden in sent mail: Gmail may trim it behind three dots. Scroll to the bottom of the message and click Show trimmed content.
• The image won’t upload: Google suggests clearing your browser cache and cookies for Gmail, checking the image’s Google Drive sharing permissions, or trying an incognito window or another browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a Gmail signature be?

Up to 10,000 characters, according to Google, and any image counts toward that limit.

Why doesn’t my phone use my Gmail signature?

The Gmail app uses its own mobile signature when one is turned on. If you haven’t set one in the app, Google says new messages use your computer signature. If you also send mail from Outlook, see how to add a signature in Outlook.

More Gmail Guides

• How to set an out of office reply in Gmail
• How to change the default font in Gmail
• How to set your profile picture in Gmail