Add attachments, like files or photos, to your emails. To send large files over the size limit, like videos, use Google Drive.
Learn how attachments work in Gmail
There are limits to the size of attachments for Gmail:
- For personal Gmail accounts, the limit is 25 MB.
- For work and school accounts, your Google Workspace administrator sets the attachment sending limits and attachment receiving limits.
If your total attachment size is greater than the limit, Gmail automatically removes the attachment and adds it as a Google Drive link in the email. Learn how to send Google Drive attachments in Gmail.
Attach a file
- On your computer, go to Gmail.
- Click Compose.
- At the bottom, click Attach .
- Choose the files you want to upload.
- Click Open.
Tip: Add an image by dragging it directly into the compose window.
Remove an attachment
After you add an attachment, you can remove it. To the right of the attachment name, tap Close .
Send attachments with confidential mode
Tip: If you're using Gmail with a work or school account, contact your admin to make sure you can use confidential mode.
Fix issues with attachments in Gmail
Attachments might be unavailable
Your network administrator or Internet provider probably blocked "mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com," the domain Google uses to host attachments.
For more help, contact your internet service provider.
Attachments won't upload (Desktop)
- Make sure you're using a supported browser.
- Try adding the attachment in another browser.
- If you've set up a web browser proxy, try disabling it.
Blocked for security reasons
To prevent viruses, Gmail doesn't let you attach executable files, like files ending in .exe.
Learn about storage limits
Attachments count toward your Google storage. Storage is shared across Drive, Photos, and Gmail. If you reach your storage limit, you can’t send or receive attachments.
To clean up your storage:
- Go through your inbox and delete unneeded large attachments.
- Regularly empty your trash and spam.
Learn how to resolve the ”Gmail’s adding files” error message
- If you upload files from another device, wait until the upload completes. Then send the attachments in your current message.
- To send the message right away, remove the attachments that are uploading from the other device.
Learn how to resolve the “Couldn’t send message” error message
- One or more files didn't upload to Drive. This might be because you don't have enough space, your internet is slow, or something else.
- To send the message, remove or re-add the attachment.