The quickest way to sign out of Gmail
To sign out of Gmail on a computer, click your profile picture or initial in the top right corner of the Gmail window, then select "Sign out" from the menu that appears. This logs you out of Gmail and returns you to the Google sign-in page. If you do not see your profile picture, look for a circular icon or your email address in that corner instead.
The sign-out button is always in the same place, whether you use Gmail in a web browser on Windows, Mac, or Linux. The process takes about three seconds and works the same way whether you are on the Gmail home page, reading an email, or composing a message.
Key Takeaways
- Click your profile picture in the top right corner of Gmail and select "Sign out" to log out when ready.
- Signing out of Gmail does not automatically sign you out of other Google services like YouTube or Google Drive unless you choose that option.
- If you share a computer with others, signing out protects your email from being read by the next person who uses that machine.
- You can sign back in at any time by entering your email address and password on the Google sign-in page.
Where the sign-out button is located
Open Gmail in your web browser and look at the top right corner of the page. You will see either a circular profile picture with a photo or initial, or a circle with your first initial inside it. Click that circle. A small menu will drop down with several options.
The "Sign out" option appears near the bottom of this menu. It is the last or second-to-last item listed. Click it once, and you will be signed out when ready. The page will redirect to the Google sign-in screen.
What happens when you sign out
When you click "Sign out," Gmail closes your session on that computer. You will no longer see your inbox, emails, or contacts. The next time someone opens Gmail in that browser, they will see the sign-in page and will need to enter their own email address and password to access their account.
Signing out of Gmail does not automatically sign you out of other Google services. If you also use YouTube, Google Drive, Google Photos, or Google Calendar on the same computer, you will remain signed in to those services. To sign out of all Google services at once, look for an option that says "Sign out of all accounts" in the profile menu, though this option does not always appear.
Why you should sign out on a shared computer
If you use a computer that other people also use—a family computer, a work machine, or a library computer—signing out of Gmail is important for privacy. When you sign out, the next person who opens Gmail will not be able to read your emails, see your contacts, or access your calendar.
If you forget to sign out and someone else uses the computer, they can access your Gmail by straightforward opening the browser and going to Gmail.com. They may see your account listed on the sign-in screen, and clicking it will log them in without needing a password. Signing out removes your account from that list and requires a password to sign back in.
Signing back in after you sign out
To sign back in to Gmail after signing out, open your web browser and go to Gmail.com or Google.com. You will see the sign-in page. Enter your email address, press Enter or click "Next," then enter your password and press Enter again.
If you have set up two-factor authentication on your Google account, you will be asked to verify your identity using a code sent to your phone or generated by an authentication app. This extra step adds security to your account. Once you verify, you will be signed back in to Gmail.
Clearing your browser data after signing out
Signing out of Gmail removes your active session, but your browser may still store some information about your account, such as your email address or cached pages. If you want to remove this data as well, you can clear your browser's cache and cookies.
In most browsers, you can do this by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac) to open the clear browsing data menu. Select the time range "All time," check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files," then click "Clear data." This step is optional but recommended if you are signing out on a shared or public computer.
Troubleshooting: Profile picture not visible
If you do not see a profile picture or initial in the top right corner of Gmail, your browser may not have loaded the page completely. Refresh the page by pressing F5 (Windows) or Command+R (Mac), or click the refresh button in your browser's address bar. Wait a few seconds for the page to load fully, then look for the profile icon again.
If the profile picture still does not appear after refreshing, try signing out a different way. Click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left corner of Gmail, scroll down to the bottom of the menu, and look for "Sign out." If you still cannot find it, try using a different browser or clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then signing in again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing out of Gmail sign me out of YouTube and Google Drive?
No. Signing out of Gmail only logs you out of Gmail. You will remain signed in to other Google services like YouTube, Google Drive, Google Photos, and Google Calendar. To sign out of all Google services at once, look for "Sign out of all accounts" in your profile menu, though this option may not be available on all accounts.
What if I cannot find the profile picture in the top right corner?
Refresh your browser page by pressing F5 or clicking the refresh button. If the profile picture still does not appear, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then sign in again. You can also try using a different browser to see if the issue is specific to one browser.
Can someone access my Gmail if I forget to sign out on a shared computer?
Yes. If you remain signed in and someone else uses the computer, they can open Gmail and see your account listed on the sign-in page. Clicking your account will log them in without requiring a password. Always sign out on shared computers to prevent this.
Will signing out delete my emails or contacts?
No. Signing out only closes your session. Your emails, contacts, calendar, and all other data remain stored on Google's servers. When you sign back in with your password, everything will be there exactly as you left it.
How do I sign out if I am using Gmail on my phone instead of a computer?
On a phone, open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then tap "Manage your Google Account." Go to the "Security" tab, scroll down to "Your devices," tap "Manage all devices," select the device you want to sign out from, and tap "Sign out." On the Gmail website in a phone browser, the process is the same as on a computer.