If you want to send email through a Gmail account using a third-party email client, CRM, or application, you'll need to enter Gmail's SMTP (outgoing mail) settings correctly. Getting a single field wrong — the wrong port, a missing app password — is one of the most common reasons outgoing mail silently fails. Here are the exact settings and steps.
Gmail SMTP Settings at a Glance
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| SMTP server | smtp.gmail.com |
| Port (STARTTLS) | 587 |
| Port (SSL/TLS) | 465 |
| Username | Your full Gmail address |
| Password | An App Password if 2-Step Verification is on, otherwise your Google account password |
| Authentication | Required |
How to Configure Gmail SMTP
- Turn on 2-Step Verification (recommended). In your Google Account, go to Security and enable it for stronger account protection.
- Generate an App Password. In Google Account > Security > "Signing in to Google" > App Passwords, select the app and device you're configuring, then click Generate. Use the resulting code as your SMTP password — this is required if 2-Step Verification is on, since Gmail will reject your normal account password from third-party apps in that case.
- Enter the SMTP details in your email client using the server, port, and authentication settings from the table above.
- Send a test email to confirm the connection works before relying on it for real messages.
Gmail IMAP Settings
IMAP keeps your inbox synced across every device — read or delete a message on your phone, and it updates everywhere else too.
- In Gmail, open Settings (gear icon) > See all settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
- Under IMAP Access, select Enable IMAP, then Save Changes.
- In your email client, use: IMAP server imap.gmail.com, port 993, SSL/TLS required.
Gmail POP3 Settings
POP3 downloads mail to a single device and, by default, removes it from the server — useful mainly if you only ever check mail from one computer.
- In Gmail Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP, enable POP for all mail (or for new mail only).
- Choose whether Gmail should keep a copy in your inbox after it's downloaded.
- In your email client, use: POP server pop.gmail.com, port 995, SSL required.
Google Workspace SMTP Relay
If your business needs to send higher volumes than a standard Gmail account allows, Google Workspace offers an SMTP relay service, configured from the Admin Console under Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail > Advanced settings > Routing. It supports authentication by domain credentials or by verified IP address and generally supports higher sending limits than a standard account, which makes it better suited to organizational or bulk use.
Sending Limits to Know
- Personal Gmail accounts: up to 500 messages per day.
- Google Workspace accounts: up to 2,000 messages per day.
- Attachments: capped at 25 MB per message.
- Recipients: up to 100 addresses per message across the To, Cc, and Bcc fields combined.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Authentication error
Almost always means you're using your regular account password instead of an App Password while 2-Step Verification is enabled — generate a fresh App Password and try again.
Connection times out
Check that the server address and port are exactly as listed above — a typo here is the most common cause.
Emails sending but bouncing or delayed
You may be near or over your daily sending limit — check your account type's cap and wait for the rolling window to reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Gmail reject my regular password for SMTP?
If 2-Step Verification is enabled, Google requires an App Password for third-party apps and clients instead of your normal login password.
Which port should I use, 587 or 465?
Both work. Port 587 with STARTTLS is the more commonly recommended modern default, but 465 with SSL/TLS is a supported alternative.
Can I use port 25 to send through Gmail?
No — Google blocks port 25 for outgoing mail; use 587 or 465 instead.
