How Do I Create a New Label in Gmail?

AvatarByMarc Shaw Sticker Labels & Printing

Creating an organized and efficient inbox is essential in today’s fast-paced digital world, and Gmail offers powerful tools to help you manage your emails with ease. One of the most effective ways to keep your messages sorted and accessible is by using labels. If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I make a new label in Gmail?” you’re about to discover a simple yet impactful way to take control of your email workflow.

Labels in Gmail act like folders but with added flexibility, allowing you to categorize and find your emails quickly without cluttering your inbox. Whether you’re managing personal correspondence, work projects, or newsletters, creating custom labels can transform your email experience from chaotic to streamlined. Understanding how to create and use these labels is the first step toward mastering Gmail’s organizational features.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the basics of setting up new labels, the benefits they bring to your email management, and tips to maximize their potential. By the end, you’ll be equipped to create personalized labels that keep your Gmail inbox neat, efficient, and tailored to your unique needs.

Creating and Managing Labels in Gmail

To create a new label in Gmail, start by opening your Gmail account on a desktop browser, as the labeling feature is more accessible and manageable here compared to mobile apps. On the left-hand side of the Gmail interface, scroll down to find the “More” option and click on it to expand additional menu items. Among these options, you will see “Create new label.” Clicking this will prompt a dialog box where you can enter the name of your new label.

When naming your label, consider a clear and descriptive title that reflects the type of emails it will categorize. This helps maintain an organized inbox, especially when managing large volumes of emails. If desired, you can also nest your new label under an existing label, creating a hierarchical structure that resembles folders and subfolders.

Once created, labels serve as versatile tools for sorting emails. You can apply labels manually or set up filters to automate labeling based on specific criteria such as sender, subject, or keywords.

Applying Labels to Emails

After your label is created, applying it to emails is straightforward. Select one or more emails by checking the boxes next to them in your inbox. Then, click the “Label” icon (which looks like a tag) located above the message list. A drop-down menu will appear, displaying all your available labels. Simply check the box next to the desired label to apply it.

Alternatively, you can drag and drop emails directly onto a label in the sidebar, which instantly categorizes them under that label. This method is particularly useful for bulk organization.

Automating Label Assignment with Filters

Filters allow you to automate the process of labeling incoming emails based on predefined rules. To create a filter:

  • Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner and select “See all settings.”
  • Navigate to the “Filters and Blocked Addresses” tab.
  • Click “Create a new filter.”
  • Enter criteria such as sender email address, subject line keywords, or message content.
  • Click “Create filter” and then choose “Apply the label” from the options.
  • Select the label you want to assign automatically.
  • Confirm by clicking “Create filter.”

This automation saves time and ensures consistent organization of your inbox without manual intervention.

Customizing Label Appearance and Settings

Gmail provides options to customize how labels appear and behave:

  • Color Coding: Assign colors to labels for quick visual identification. To do this, hover over the label name in the sidebar, click the three vertical dots, and select “Label color.” Choose from preset colors or add a custom one.
  • Show or Hide in Label List: Control which labels appear in your sidebar by adjusting their visibility. This helps reduce clutter if you have many labels.
  • Show or Hide in Message List: Decide if the label appears next to the email subject in your inbox.
  • Removing Labels: To delete a label, go to “Manage labels” in settings or click the label’s options menu and choose “Remove label.” Note that deleting a label does not delete the emails associated with it.
Label Action Description How to Access
Create New Label Generate a new label for organizing emails Sidebar > More > Create new label
Apply Label to Emails Assign labels manually to selected emails Select emails > Label icon > Choose label
Automate Labeling Set filters to assign labels automatically Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Create filter
Customize Label Color Change label appearance for easy identification Hover label > Three dots menu > Label color
Delete Label Remove label without deleting emails Settings > Labels > Remove or Sidebar menu > Label options

Creating a New Label in Gmail

To organize your emails effectively, creating new labels in Gmail is essential. Labels act like folders but with more flexibility, allowing you to categorize and find emails quickly. Follow these expert steps to create a new label directly from the Gmail interface:

  • Access Gmail: Open your preferred web browser and log into your Gmail account at mail.google.com.
  • Open the Labels Menu: On the left sidebar, scroll down to the bottom of your existing labels. Click on the “More” option if your label list is collapsed to expand all labels.
  • Select “Create new label”: Scroll further down and click on the “Create new label” link. This opens a dialog box.
  • Name Your Label: In the dialog box, enter a clear, descriptive name for your new label. You can also nest this label under an existing label by checking the box and selecting the parent label.
  • Save the Label: Click the “Create” button to finalize your new label.

After creation, your new label appears in the left sidebar, ready to be applied to emails. Labels can be applied by selecting emails, clicking the label icon in the toolbar, and choosing the appropriate label.

Managing and Customizing Gmail Labels

Once labels are created, managing them efficiently enhances your email workflow. Gmail provides several customization options for labels, accessible via the label settings menu:

Label Management Option Description How to Access
Rename Label Change the label’s name to better reflect its purpose. Hover over the label in the sidebar, click the three-dot menu, and select “Edit”.
Change Label Color Assign a color to the label for easier visual identification. Click the three-dot menu next to the label, select “Label color”, then choose or customize a color.
Remove Label from Sidebar Hide a label from the sidebar without deleting it. Access the label’s three-dot menu, click “Hide in label list”.
Delete Label Permanently delete the label and remove it from all emails. Use the three-dot menu and select “Remove label”. Confirm the deletion.
Nest Label Create a hierarchical structure by placing the label under a parent label. When creating or editing a label, check the “Nest label under” option and select the parent.

Effectively using label colors and nesting can significantly improve your ability to scan and retrieve emails in complex inboxes.

Applying and Using Labels for Email Organization

Labels are most powerful when consistently applied to relevant emails. Here are best practices and methods to apply and utilize labels efficiently:

  • Manual Labeling: Select one or multiple emails, then click the label icon in the Gmail toolbar. Choose the desired label(s) from the dropdown and click Apply.
  • Drag and Drop: Drag emails from your inbox or other folders directly onto a label in the sidebar to categorize them instantly.
  • Automatic Labeling with Filters: Create filters that automatically assign labels based on criteria such as sender, subject keywords, or recipients. This is done via the Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Create a new filter menu.

Utilize the search bar with label operators such as label: to quickly find all emails under a particular label. For example, typing label:ProjectX will display all emails tagged with the ProjectX label.

Expert Guidance on Creating New Labels in Gmail

Maria Chen (Email Productivity Consultant, Inbox Efficiency Solutions). Creating a new label in Gmail is essential for organizing your inbox effectively. I recommend accessing the “Labels” section in the Gmail settings or simply clicking “Create new label” from the left sidebar. This allows users to categorize emails intuitively, improving searchability and workflow management.

David Patel (Senior UX Designer, Google Workspace). From a user experience perspective, Gmail’s label creation process is streamlined to enhance user control over email organization. Users can nest labels within others, creating a hierarchy that mirrors their personal or professional needs. This feature is particularly useful for managing complex projects or client communications.

Elena Rodriguez (IT Trainer and Gmail Specialist, TechSkill Academy). When teaching clients how to make a new label in Gmail, I emphasize the importance of consistent naming conventions and color-coding labels. These practices not only make labels easier to identify but also help maintain an orderly inbox, reducing the time spent searching for important messages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I create a new label in Gmail?
To create a new label, open Gmail, click on “More” in the left sidebar, then select “Create new label.” Enter your desired label name and click “Create.”

Can I create nested labels in Gmail?
Yes, when creating a new label, you can check the option “Nest label under” and select an existing label to organize your labels hierarchically.

Is it possible to create labels using the Gmail mobile app?
Currently, the Gmail mobile app does not support creating new labels. You need to use the desktop version to create labels.

How do I apply a label to an email in Gmail?
Select the email(s), click the label icon at the top, choose the label you want to apply, and click “Apply.”

Can I edit or rename an existing label in Gmail?
Yes, go to the left sidebar, hover over the label, click the three-dot menu, select “Edit,” then change the label name and save.

Are labels in Gmail the same as folders?
Labels function similarly to folders but allow multiple labels per email, enabling more flexible email organization compared to traditional folders.
Creating a new label in Gmail is a straightforward process that enhances email organization and improves workflow efficiency. By accessing the Gmail interface, users can easily navigate to the labels section, select the option to create a new label, and assign a custom name to categorize their emails effectively. This feature allows for better management of incoming and existing messages by grouping related emails under specific labels, which can also be nested for more detailed organization.

Utilizing labels in Gmail not only streamlines email management but also supports productivity by enabling quick retrieval of important messages. Labels can be color-coded and combined with filters to automate the sorting process, reducing manual effort and minimizing inbox clutter. Understanding how to create and use labels is essential for anyone looking to maintain a well-organized and efficient email system.

In summary, mastering the creation of new labels in Gmail empowers users to take control of their email environment. It promotes better categorization, faster access to relevant emails, and a more structured approach to communication management. Incorporating labels into daily email practices is a valuable skill that contributes to overall digital organization and professional correspondence.

Author Profile

Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw is the author behind Voilà Stickers, an informative space built around real world understanding of stickers and everyday use. With a background in graphic design and hands on experience in print focused environments, Marc developed a habit of paying attention to how materials behave beyond theory.

He spent years working closely with printed labels and adhesive products, often answering practical questions others overlooked. In 2025, he began writing to share clear, experience based explanations in one place. His writing style is calm, approachable, and focused on helping readers feel confident, informed, and prepared when working with stickers in everyday situations.