Bcc stands for blind carbon copy. In Gmail, anyone you add to the Bcc field gets a copy of your email, but no one else can see that they received it. Recipients in the To and Cc fields can’t see Bcc addresses, and Bcc recipients can’t see each other. To use it, click Bcc on the right side of the To line in a new message, or press Ctrl + Shift + B (Command + Shift + B on Mac).
Bcc is useful for protecting people’s privacy when you email a group, and for quietly keeping someone in the loop. Here’s how it works, how it compares to To and Cc, and what to watch out for.
To vs. Cc vs. Bcc
| Field | Who it’s for | Who can see the address |
|---|---|---|
| To | The main people the message is for | Everyone |
| Cc (carbon copy) | People who should be kept informed | Everyone |
| Bcc (blind carbon copy) | People who should get a copy privately | Only you (the sender) |
How to Bcc someone in Gmail on a computer
- In Gmail, click Compose, or open a message and click Reply or Forward.
- Click Bcc at the right end of the To line. A Bcc field appears.
- Type the addresses you want to blind copy. Separate them with commas.
- Add your subject and message, then click Send.
In a reply, you might need to click the recipient names at the top of the reply box first to see the Cc and Bcc links.
How to Bcc in the Gmail app (iPhone and Android)
- Open the Gmail app and tap Compose.
- Tap the down arrow at the right end of the To field.
- Enter addresses in the Bcc field.
- Write your message and tap Send.
What Bcc recipients see
- A Bcc recipient sees the To and Cc addresses, but not their own name or anyone else’s in Bcc.
- If you leave the To field empty, recipients may see undisclosed recipients or no address at all.
- In your Sent folder, you can still see everyone you blind copied.
When to use Bcc
- Emailing a large group of people who don’t know each other, like customers, parents, or event guests. It keeps everyone’s address private.
- Stopping reply-all chains. Bcc recipients who click Reply All only reply to you and the visible recipients.
- Introducing two people. Move the person who introduced you to Bcc when you reply, so they’re spared the rest of the thread. It’s polite to mention it, for example “Moving you to Bcc.”
- Keeping a record. Bcc yourself or another account to keep a copy somewhere else.
Things to watch out for
- Reply All can reveal a Bcc recipient. If someone in Bcc clicks Reply All, everyone sees their reply and learns they were copied.
- Secretly copying someone can damage trust if it comes out, especially at work. Use it for privacy, not to go behind someone’s back.
- Bcc isn’t a mailing list tool. Gmail limits how many recipients you can send to per day (around 500 for personal accounts). Sending to hundreds of people with Bcc can also land your email in spam. For newsletters, use Gmail’s mail merge or an email marketing service.
Frequently asked questions
Can Bcc recipients see each other?
No. Each Bcc recipient only sees the To and Cc addresses.
Can I tell if I was Bcc’d on an email?
Usually, yes. If your address isn’t in the To or Cc fields but you still got the email, you were most likely blind copied. You can also click the small arrow under the sender’s name to see the details. Gmail may show bcc: with your address.
Do I need to put someone in the To field?
No. You can send a message with only Bcc recipients. Some people put their own address in To so the message doesn’t look empty.
Can I add a Bcc automatically to every email?
Gmail doesn’t have a built-in auto-Bcc setting. You can get a similar result with a Gmail filter that forwards sent mail, or with a browser extension, but check its permissions carefully.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.