How to Create Email Folders

Organize your emails by creating labels, which work like folders in Gmail.

Steps

1
Open Gmail
and look for "Labels" in the folder list on the left. Scroll down if you do not see it.
2
Click the three lines
menu icon at the top left if the folder list is hidden. This expands the full menu.
3
Scroll to the bottom
of the folder list and click "Create new label." A popup box appears.
4
Type a name
for your new label and click "Create." The label appears in your folder list on the left side.
5
Apply the label
to emails by checking their boxes and clicking the label icon in the toolbar.

What is the difference between a folder and a label?Show

Labels are better than folders because one email can have multiple labels. Folders force each email into one spot.

Can I nest labels inside other labels?Show

Yes. When creating a label, check "Nest label under" and choose a parent label from the dropdown menu.

Do labels take up storage space?Show

No. Labels are tags that help you organize. They do not count toward your Gmail storage limit.

How do I delete a label?Show

Hover over the label, click the arrow, and select "Remove label." Deleting a label does not delete the emails.

Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated May 18, 2026.