Sign out of Gmail in three clicks

To sign out of Gmail on your computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner of the Gmail window, then click "Sign out" from the menu that appears. You will be returned to the Gmail login page. If you do not see your profile picture, look for a circular icon or your initials in that corner instead.

This method works whether you are using Gmail in a web browser on Windows or Mac. The steps are the same across all browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other browser you use to access Gmail.

Key Takeaways

  • Click your profile picture in the top right corner of Gmail and select "Sign out" from the dropdown menu.
  • You will be logged out when ready and returned to the Gmail login screen.
  • If you share your computer with others, signing out prevents them from reading your email without your password.
  • Signing out on one device does not sign you out on other devices — you must sign out separately on each computer or phone.
  • If you forget to sign out, you can remotely sign out all sessions from your Google Account security page.

Where to find the sign-out button

Open Gmail in your web browser and look at the top right corner of the screen. You will see a small circle containing either a photo of your face or your initials. Click that circle once. A menu will drop down with several options.

The word "Sign out" appears near the bottom of this menu. Click it. Gmail will sign you out when ready, and your browser will show you the Gmail login page. You are now signed out.

What happens after you sign out

Once you sign out, anyone who uses your computer next will see the Gmail login page. They will not be able to read your emails, access your contacts, or see your calendar without entering your password.

Your email remains on Google's servers — signing out does not delete anything. The next time you open Gmail and enter your password, all your messages and settings will be exactly as you left them.

Signing out on shared computers

If you share your computer with family members or coworkers, sign out of Gmail every time you finish using it. This is the simplest way to keep your email private. Do not rely on closing the browser window alone — that does not sign you out.

If you are worried someone has accessed your account without permission, you can change your password when ready. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left side, then click "Password" and enter a new one. This will sign you out of Gmail on all devices at once.

Signing out on multiple devices

If you use Gmail on your computer, phone, and tablet, signing out on one device does not sign you out on the others. You must sign out separately on each device. For example, if you sign out on your Windows computer, you will still be signed in on your iPhone until you sign out there too.

To sign out everywhere at once, go to myaccount.google.com on any device. Click "Security" on the left, scroll down to "Your devices," and click "Manage all devices." Find the device you want to sign out and click it, then select "Sign out."

If you cannot find the profile picture

In rare cases, the profile picture may not appear in the top right corner. This usually happens if you are using an older browser or if your browser settings are blocking images. Try refreshing the page by pressing F5 or Ctrl+R on Windows, or Command+R on Mac.

If the profile picture still does not appear, try a different browser. Open Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, go to gmail.com, sign in, and look for the profile picture again. If you still cannot find it, clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again.

Signing out without a profile picture

If your account does not display a profile picture for any reason, look for a small circle or square in the top right corner of Gmail. It may contain your initials instead of a photo. Click it the same way you would click a profile picture — the sign-out menu will appear.

If nothing appears in the top right corner at all, your browser may not be displaying the page correctly. Try refreshing the page or switching to a different browser. Gmail works best in current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does signing out delete my emails?

No. Signing out only removes your access from that computer. Your emails stay on Google's servers and will be there when you sign back in with your password.

Can I sign out of Gmail without signing out of my Google Account?

No. When you click "Sign out" in Gmail, you are signed out of your entire Google Account, including YouTube, Google Drive, and any other Google services. If you want to stay signed in to other Google services, do not use the sign-out button.

What if I signed out but someone else can still see my emails?

Check whether you are using a shared computer that has multiple user accounts. If so, make sure you signed out of Gmail and not just closed the browser. If you closed the browser without signing out, the next person who opens Gmail may still see your account. Sign out properly next time.

Can I sign out of Gmail on my phone the same way?

The steps are similar but not identical on phones. On an iPhone or Android phone, open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture at the top left, then tap "Manage your Google Account" and go to the "Security" tab to sign out. The web browser method described here is for computers only.

Will signing out stop someone from hacking my account?

Signing out protects your account from people who have physical access to your computer, but it does not stop hackers who know your password. If you think someone has your password, change it when ready at myaccount.google.com by clicking "Security" and then "Password."