How to Empty Trash in Gmail

Empty the Gmail trash folder to permanently delete unwanted emails and free up storage space.

Steps

1
Open Gmail and look at the left sidebar.
Scroll down until you see "Trash" or "Bin" in the labels list.
2
Click "Trash"
to open the folder. You will see all emails you have deleted in the last 30 days.
3
Click "Empty Trash now"
at the top of the email list. This will permanently delete every email in the trash.
4
Click "OK" to confirm.
The emails are gone for good and cannot be recovered after this action.

How long do emails stay in Gmail trash?Show

Emails stay in the trash for 30 days and then Gmail deletes them automatically.

Does emptying trash free up storage space?Show

Yes, permanently deleting emails from trash frees up space in your Google account storage.

Can I recover emails after emptying trash?Show

No, once you empty the trash or 30 days pass, deleted emails cannot be recovered.

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