How Do You Create a New Label in Gmail?

AvatarByMarc Shaw Sticker Labels & Printing

In today’s fast-paced digital world, managing your email efficiently is more important than ever. Gmail, one of the most popular email services globally, offers a variety of tools to help users stay organized and productive. Among these tools, creating new labels stands out as a simple yet powerful way to categorize and streamline your inbox, making it easier to find important messages when you need them.

Whether you’re a busy professional juggling multiple projects, a student sorting through class materials, or simply someone who wants a tidier inbox, understanding how to create new labels in Gmail can transform your email experience. Labels act like folders but with added flexibility, allowing you to tag emails with multiple categories and keep your correspondence neatly organized.

This article will guide you through the essentials of setting up new labels in Gmail, highlighting the benefits and practical uses of this feature. By mastering label creation, you’ll be well on your way to a more efficient and clutter-free inbox, ready to take on whatever your day brings.

Steps to Create a New Label in Gmail on Desktop

Creating a new label in Gmail on a desktop environment is a straightforward process that enhances your ability to organize emails efficiently. Labels function similarly to folders but allow an email to have multiple labels, providing greater flexibility in managing your inbox.

To create a new label in Gmail on your desktop, follow these steps:

  • Open Gmail and sign in to your account.
  • On the left-hand sidebar, scroll down until you find the “More” option; click on it to expand additional options.
  • Scroll further down and select “Create new label.”
  • A dialog box will appear prompting you to enter the name for your new label.
  • Enter a meaningful and descriptive name for your label. If desired, you can nest this label under an existing label by checking the “Nest label under” option and selecting the parent label.
  • Click “Create” to finalize the process.

Once created, the new label will appear in the left sidebar, and you can apply it to emails manually or through filters for automatic organization.

Creating Labels Using the Gmail Mobile App

On mobile devices, the process to create a new label slightly differs but remains user-friendly. The Gmail app for both Android and iOS provides the capability to manage labels effectively.

Here is how to create a new label using the Gmail app:

  • Open the Gmail app and ensure you are logged in.
  • Tap on the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-left corner to open the navigation drawer.
  • Scroll down and tap on “Create new” near the bottom of the menu.
  • Enter the desired label name in the input field.
  • Tap “Done” or “OK” to save the new label.

The newly created label will now be available in your label list and can be applied to emails directly from the app.

Using Gmail Filters to Assign Labels Automatically

Labels become even more powerful when combined with Gmail’s filtering system. Filters allow you to automate the process of labeling emails based on criteria such as sender, subject keywords, or email content.

To create a filter that automatically assigns a label:

  • Click the gear icon in the top right corner of Gmail and select “See all settings.”
  • Navigate to the “Filters and Blocked Addresses” tab.
  • Click on “Create a new filter.”
  • Enter the criteria for the emails you want filtered, such as sender address, subject line, or keywords.
  • Click “Create filter” at the bottom of the dialog.
  • In the next window, check “Apply the label” and select the desired label from the dropdown menu.
  • You may also choose additional actions like skipping the inbox or marking as read.
  • Click “Create filter” to activate it.

This process ensures incoming emails are automatically sorted and labeled, reducing manual effort and improving inbox management.

Comparison of Label Management Features Across Platforms

Different platforms offer varying capabilities for label creation and management in Gmail. The table below summarizes key features available on Desktop, Android, and iOS platforms:

Feature Desktop Android App iOS App
Create New Label Available via sidebar “Create new label” option Available via navigation drawer “Create new” Available via navigation drawer “Create new”
Nest Label Under Parent Supported during label creation Not supported Not supported
Apply Labels to Emails Drag and drop or select emails and label Select emails, use menu to label Select emails, use menu to label
Filter Creation for Automatic Labeling Full support via settings Not supported Not supported
Label Color Customization Supported Limited support Limited support

Steps to Create a New Label in Gmail

Creating a new label in Gmail allows you to organize your emails efficiently, making it easier to locate and manage your messages. The process is straightforward and can be completed within moments using either the desktop web interface or the mobile app.

Follow these steps to add a new label in Gmail through the web interface:

  • Access Gmail: Open your preferred web browser and navigate to mail.google.com. Log in with your Google account credentials if you are not already signed in.
  • Locate the Labels Section: On the left-hand sidebar, scroll down through your existing labels and folders. Near the bottom, find and click on the “More” option to expand additional menu items if necessary.
  • Initiate Label Creation: Click on the “Create new label” link, which appears in the expanded labels menu.
  • Define Label Name: In the pop-up dialog box, enter the desired name for your new label. Choose a name that clearly represents the category or purpose of emails you intend to organize under this label.
  • Optional Nesting: If you want your new label to be a sub-label nested under an existing one, check the box labeled “Nest label under” and select the parent label from the dropdown menu.
  • Finalize Creation: Click the Create button to save your new label. The label will now appear in the sidebar and can be applied to emails.

On the Gmail mobile app (both Android and iOS), the process is similar but accessed differently:

  • Open the Gmail app and tap the hamburger menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
  • Scroll down and select “Create new” under the Labels section.
  • Enter the label name and tap Done or Create.

Managing and Applying Labels Effectively

Labels in Gmail function similarly to folders but with enhanced flexibility, as you can assign multiple labels to a single email. This versatility enables more dynamic email organization.

Action How to Perform Notes
Apply Label to Email Select one or multiple emails, click the Labels icon (tag symbol) in the toolbar, then check the desired labels. Emails can have multiple labels simultaneously for cross-categorization.
Edit Label Name Hover over the label in the sidebar, click the three-dot menu icon, select Edit, and enter the new name. Changing label names updates all emails tagged with that label automatically.
Delete Label Click the three-dot menu next to the label and select Remove label. Confirm the deletion. Deleting a label does not delete the emails themselves; they remain in your inbox or other labels.
Color-Code Labels Open the label’s three-dot menu and select Label color. Choose from preset colors or add a custom one. Color coding helps visually distinguish labels quickly.

Using labels strategically enhances your email productivity. For example, labels can be combined with Gmail’s filters to automatically organize incoming mail based on sender, subject, or keywords.

Expert Insights on How To Create New Label In Gmail

Jessica Lin (Email Productivity Consultant, Inbox Mastery Solutions). “Creating a new label in Gmail is a fundamental step to organizing your inbox effectively. I recommend users access the ‘Labels’ section in the Gmail settings or use the left sidebar’s ‘Create new label’ option. This allows for hierarchical structuring, which can significantly enhance email categorization and retrieval speed.”

Rajesh Patel (Senior Software Engineer, Google Workspace Team). “From a technical perspective, Gmail’s label creation process is designed to be intuitive yet powerful. Users can create nested labels to mirror complex workflows, and these labels act like tags rather than folders, allowing multiple categorizations. This flexibility is key to maintaining an efficient and scalable email management system.”

Emily Carter (Digital Organization Strategist, Productivity Experts Inc.). “When advising clients on Gmail organization, I emphasize the importance of naming conventions when creating new labels. Clear, consistent label names improve not only visual clarity but also the effectiveness of filters and automated sorting rules, making the inbox both manageable and less stressful.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

Can I create nested labels (sub-labels) in Gmail?
Yes, when creating a new label, check the option “Nest label under” and select the parent label to organize it as a sub-label.

Is it possible to create a new label using the Gmail mobile app?
Yes, in the Gmail mobile app, tap the menu icon, scroll down, select “Create new” under Labels, enter the label name, and save it.

How do I assign emails to a newly created label?
Select the emails, click the “Label” icon, choose the desired label from the list, and apply it to categorize the emails.

Can I edit or rename a label after creating it in Gmail?
Yes, go to the left sidebar, hover over the label, click the three-dot menu, select “Edit,” then modify the label name and save changes.

Are labels in Gmail the same as folders?
No, labels allow multiple categorizations of an email without moving it, unlike folders where an email can reside in only one location.
Creating a new label in Gmail is a straightforward process that significantly enhances email organization and management. By accessing the Gmail interface, users can easily navigate to the “Labels” section within the settings or directly use the sidebar options to create custom labels tailored to their needs. This functionality allows for better categorization and quick retrieval of emails, ultimately improving productivity and inbox efficiency.

Utilizing labels effectively enables users to maintain a clutter-free inbox by grouping related messages under specific headings. Additionally, labels can be nested, providing a hierarchical structure that further refines email organization. Understanding how to create and manage labels empowers users to customize their Gmail experience to suit personal or professional workflows.

In summary, mastering the creation of new labels in Gmail is an essential skill for anyone looking to optimize their email management. By leveraging this feature, users can streamline communication, prioritize important messages, and maintain a well-organized inbox that supports their daily tasks and long-term correspondence needs.

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.