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How do I set up an out-of-office reply in Gmail?

Updated 4 November 2026

In Gmail on a computer: Settings, See all settings, General, then turn on Vacation responder, add dates and a message, and click Save Changes.

An automatic reply tells people you’re away and when you’ll be back. In Gmail it’s called the Vacation responder, and it lives in the settings. These steps are for Gmail in a browser on a computer. Work or school accounts may have rules set by your organisation.

What you need

• Gmail open in Chrome on a computer
• The dates you'll be away, and the message you want people to get

Steps

1. Open all settings

   In Gmail, click the gear icon at the top right, then See all settings.

2. Find the Vacation responder

   Stay on the General tab and scroll down to the Vacation responder section, near the bottom.

3. Turn it on and write your reply

   Select Vacation responder on. Choose the first day and, if you like, the last day. Add a subject and your message, for example when you're back and who to contact meanwhile.

4. Choose who gets it (optional)

   Below the message, you can tick the box to send the reply only to people in your contacts, so strangers and newsletters don't get it.

5. Click Save Changes

   Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page. While the reply is on, Gmail shows a banner at the top of your inbox, with End now to turn it off early.

Official website: Gmail