How to Schedule an Email in Outlook

To schedule an email in the new Outlook or Outlook on the web, write your message, click the arrow next to Send, choose Schedule send, and pick a time. In classic Outlook, go to Options > Delay Delivery, check “Do not deliver before,” set the date and time, and click Send.

The steps depend on which Outlook you use. If one set of steps doesn’t match what you see, try the other. These steps follow Microsoft’s guide to delaying or scheduling email.

Which Outlook Do You Have?

• New Outlook for Windows has a toggle labeled New Outlook in the top-right corner and a simpler ribbon.
• Classic Outlook has a File tab at the top left.
• Outlook on the web runs in your browser at outlook.com or outlook.office.com.

How to Schedule an Email in the New Outlook or Outlook on the Web

This works in the new Outlook for Windows, Outlook on the web, and Outlook.com. If predicted text or reply suggestions get in the way while you write the message, see how to turn off suggestions in Outlook.com.

1. Write your email and add the people you want to send it to. A contact group works here too; see how to edit a distribution list in Outlook to update who’s on it.
2. Click the small arrow next to the Send button.
3. Click Schedule send.
4. Pick one of the suggested times, or choose Custom time and set your own date and time.
5. Click Send.

The email waits in your Drafts folder until it goes out. Microsoft notes that this option doesn’t work with IMAP or POP email accounts in the new Outlook.

How to Schedule an Email in Classic Outlook

1. Write your email.
2. Click the Options tab at the top of the message window.
3. Click Delay Delivery. If you don’t see it, click More commands (three dots) on the Options tab.
4. Under Delivery options, check Do not deliver before.
5. Choose the date and time you want the email to go out.
6. Click Close, then click Send.

The email waits in your Outbox until the time you picked. Classic Outlook needs to be open and online at that time for the email to be sent.

How to Schedule an Email in Outlook for Mac

1. Write your email and add at least one recipient.
2. Select the dropdown arrow on the Send button and choose Schedule send (Send Later in older versions).
3. Enter the date and time, then select OK.

The message waits in Drafts and sends even if Outlook isn’t open, according to Microsoft’s Outlook for Mac steps. It needs a Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, or Exchange account.

How to Schedule an Email in the Outlook Mobile App

In the mobile app, write the email, then open the three-dot menu in the compose window and look for Schedule send. The option depends on your account type and app version, so if you don’t see it, schedule the email from Outlook on the web instead.

How to Cancel or Change a Scheduled Email

New Outlook or the web: Open your Drafts folder, open the email, and click Cancel send. You can then edit it, send it now, or schedule it again.

Classic Outlook: Open your Outbox, open the email, and go back to Delay Delivery. Uncheck Do not deliver before to send it now, or change the time. Then click Close and Send.

How to Delay Every Email You Send in Classic Outlook

If you often catch mistakes right after you hit Send, you can hold all your emails for a few minutes with a rule. Microsoft says the delay can be up to 120 minutes.

1. Click File > Manage Rules & Alerts > New Rule.
2. Under Start from a Blank Rule, click Apply rule on messages I send, then click Next.
3. Click Next again to apply it to every email. Click Yes when Outlook asks you to confirm.
4. Check defer delivery by a number of minutes.
5. Click a number of in the bottom box, type the number of minutes, and click OK.
6. Click Next twice, name the rule, make sure Turn on this rule is checked, and click Finish.

You can learn more about rules in our guide to creating a rule in Outlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don’t I see Schedule send?

You may be using classic Outlook. Use Delay Delivery instead. In the new Outlook, the option also doesn’t show for IMAP or POP accounts. If you have several accounts, show the From field in Outlook to check which one the message is using.

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

In classic Outlook, yes. Outlook has to be open and online at the send time. Microsoft lists this requirement only for classic Outlook. In the new Outlook and on the web, the email waits in Drafts until its send time. If you leave classic Outlook open for this, you can turn off the new mail sound in Outlook so it stays quiet.

Can I schedule email from a Gmail account in Outlook?

Not with Schedule send. Microsoft says it doesn’t work with IMAP or POP accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo, or iCloud. Classic Outlook’s Delay Delivery holds the message in your Outbox instead, so it can work with those accounts as long as Outlook stays open. If classic Outlook is missing from your PC, see how to reinstall Outlook on Windows 11.

Can I schedule an automatic reply instead?

Yes. If you’ll be away, you can set an out of office reply in Outlook. While you’re in your settings, you can also add an email signature. The Options tab is also where receipts are requested, and you can turn off read receipts in Outlook if you do not want them.