
Gmail's HTML features allow you to create visually appealing and interactive emails, but they also come with some limitations.
Gmail supports HTML5, which means you can use modern web technologies like CSS3 and JavaScript to add animations, transitions, and other effects to your emails.
However, Gmail has some restrictions on the use of certain HTML elements and attributes, such as the "style" attribute, which can be used to apply CSS styles to elements.
These limitations can be frustrating, but understanding what works and what doesn't can help you create more effective and engaging emails.
A unique perspective: Html B Tag
Working with Gmail
You can't simply copy and paste HTML code into a Gmail Compose window, as it will render the same on the receiver's end. This is because Gmail uses a WYSIWYG editor.
To get around this, you can download HTML email templates and open them in a browser to see how they'll render. If the file appears as raw HTML, double-check that it was saved properly and that your editor relies on plain text.
There are a few ways to get your HTML code into a Gmail Compose window, including using Chrome's Developer Tools and installing a Chrome extension like GMass. GMass is a popular choice that adds a slick HTML editor to the Gmail Compose window.
Here are some key features of GMass:
- Best for more complicated designs
- You can easily bring in embedded images for improved deliverability
- It’s easy to edit and tweak your HTML
- GMass automatically turns every message you send into a reusable template
- Great control over how your email turns out
Note: GMass requires installing the Chrome extension, and it offers many more features beyond just HTML email creation.
Gmail vs. Standard
The HTML version of Gmail loads faster than the standard version. I've noticed this difference when I'm in a hurry to check my inbox.
If you want to add text formatting to Gmail messages or embed links, then you must use the appropriate HTML code. This is especially useful when you need to make your emails stand out.
You don't have to switch to the HTML view to send a plain text message in Gmail. I often prefer to send plain text messages to keep things simple.
Consider reading: Gmail Text Messages
Switching to Basic View
You can view your Gmail in simple HTML by opening the Gmail HTML website in any web browser and logging in to your account if prompted, then selecting I’d like to use HTML Gmail.
Gmail may automatically open the standard interface, so you might need to go back to the Gmail HTML website to switch to the basic view.
To switch to basic view, open the Gmail HTML website and log in to your account if prompted.
Intriguing read: Basic Gmail Html
Copy Pasting
You can't simply paste raw HTML code into Gmail's Compose window and expect it to render correctly.
Gmail uses a WYSIWYG editor, so whatever you paste into the Compose window will look the same on the receiver's end, which is not what you want.
If you try to paste HTML code into Gmail, it will just display the code as raw HTML, not render it as intended.
To get around this, you can download ready-to-go HTML email templates from a website.
You might like: Html Prevent Copy Paste
Saving files in plain text is crucial when writing HTML code, as some editors may add extra formatting that can prevent proper rendering.
If you're using TextEdit on a Mac, you'll need to make some tweaks to ensure your code is saved correctly.
You can open your .html file in a browser to see how it's being rendered as a web page, and if you see raw HTML, check that everything was saved correctly.
To copy the properly rendered web page, use the keys Ctrl+A (Windows) / Cmd+A (Mac) or your PC mouse.
Alternatively, you can use Chrome's Developer Tools to paste your HTML code into Gmail's Compose window.
Suggestion: Gmail Adding + to Email
Plain Text vs
When working with Gmail, you'll often come across the choice between Plain Text and HTML Emails. Plain Text Emails are limited to plain text, with no styling, and are universally compatible.
One of the key differences between Plain Text and HTML Emails is formatting and styling. Plain Text Emails don't support rich formatting and styling, whereas HTML Emails can include stylish links and interactive buttons.
Related reading: Styling Html Lists
Plain Text Emails also lack support for embedded images, making them less visually appealing. On the other hand, HTML Emails can include images and multimedia, making them more engaging.
Here's a comparison of the two:
While Plain Text Emails are simple and universally compatible, HTML Emails offer a broader canvas for creativity and engagement.
Creating and Sending
Creating and sending HTML emails in Gmail can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered. You can easily send HTML emails using Gmail's built-in features or with the help of some awesome Chrome extensions.
One way to create and send HTML emails in Gmail is by using the Send HTML in Gmail Chrome extension. This extension allows you to inject HTML into your Gmail emails, making it easy to create visually appealing emails.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use this extension:
- Install the Chrome extension
- Open Gmail and compose a new message
- Click the Send HTML in Gmail extension in Chrome
- Paste your HTML into the input area
- Click “Inject HTML” and your email should now be rendered in the compose area in Gmail
- Hit send
Alternatively, you can also use Mailmeteor, a powerful email marketing tool that simplifies the process of sending personalized HTML emails to multiple recipients through Gmail.
Here's a summary of the benefits of using Mailmeteor:
- Email Personalization: Create highly personalized emails by using custom merge tags from data in your Google Sheets or using the web platform with fields such as names, company details, or any other custom variable.
- HTML Template Editor: Make use of the premium HTML Editor and insert personalized data directly into your email templates.
- Email Tracking: Track your emails after they leave your mailbox, see if your recipients are opening them and run A/B tests with reliable feedback.
- Template Library: Access a library of pre-designed email templates or create your own HTML email templates to use in your campaigns.
So, whether you choose to use the Send HTML in Gmail Chrome extension or Mailmeteor, you'll be able to create and send HTML emails in Gmail with ease.
Customizing Gmail
Customizing Gmail can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to sending custom HTML emails. You can't just copy and paste HTML code into the Gmail editor, as it will appear as plain text to the recipient.
However, there is a practical workaround: you can copy and paste a rendered HTML email into the Gmail editor to send custom HTML emails. This allows you to create visually appealing, customized emails while working within Gmail's constraints.
Worth a look: Paste with Html Formatting
Goodbye to Fonts
Customizing Gmail can be a challenge, especially when it comes to using your own fonts. Unfortunately, Gmail doesn't allow you to import custom web fonts into your HTML emails.
You're limited to using standard fonts, which can limit your design choices and branding opportunities. This can make it difficult to create emails that accurately represent your brand.
If you need to use your own branding, you have no choice but to use images with text written in them.
Take a look at this: Set up Html Mail Using Word
Strengths and Weaknesses

Customizing Gmail can be a bit of a challenge, but understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches can help you navigate the process.
Working directly inside Gmail's Chrome dev tools area gives you better control over the code, making it easier to make edits as needed.
However, this approach can be intimidating for people who don't regularly work with code.
In my experience, the cons of pasting in a rendered template from an external source often outweigh the pros, except for extremely basic templates.
Here are some key differences between the two approaches:
It's worth noting that there's no way to save your templates inside Gmail, which can be a hassle if you need to reuse them.
Troubleshooting
If you're experiencing issues with Gmail's HTML, try checking if your HTML code is being parsed correctly.
Gmail's HTML parser can be finicky, so make sure your code is properly formatted and free of errors. This can be done by checking the HTML structure and syntax, as well as any external scripts or stylesheets being loaded.
Common issues with HTML parsing in Gmail include missing or mismatched tags, which can cause the email to display incorrectly or not at all.
Features Not Available

If you're using Gmail Basic HTML, you'll notice that some of the features you're used to are missing.
Gmail keyboard shortcuts are not available in Gmail Basic HTML, which can make it harder to navigate and manage your emails.
Gmail Basic HTML also lacks a built-in spelling checker, so you'll need to rely on external tools to catch typos and grammatical errors.
Gmail tasks are another feature that's not supported in Gmail Basic HTML, which can make it harder to stay organized and keep track of your to-do lists.
Google chat is also not available in Gmail Basic HTML, so you won't be able to use the built-in chat feature to communicate with friends and family.
Here are some of the features not available in Gmail Basic HTML:
- Gmail keyboard shortcuts
- Gmail spelling checker
- Gmail tasks
- Google chat
Importing Failures
Importing HTML code into Gmail won't render anything else, it will just appear as code.
You can't format the shape or appearance of your emails by pasting HTML code into the compose window.
Gmail simply treats HTML as text, so it won't display as intended.
The solution is to use a workaround, which we'll cover in a later section.
Tools and Extensions
There are several tools and extensions that can help you add custom HTML to your Gmail emails. You can install the Send HTML in Gmail Chrome extension to inject HTML into your emails.
This extension allows you to paste your HTML code into the input area and click "Inject HTML" to render it in the compose area. You'll need to have your HTML email templates ready to go before using this extension.
You can also use Chrome extensions like Free HTML Editor for Gmail by cloudHQ or Send Mass Mail + HTML inserter for Gmail to add an HTML editor to the Gmail compose window.
These extensions function similarly, but with some differences. For example, Free HTML Editor for Gmail by cloudHQ requires creating an account, while Send Mass Mail + HTML inserter for Gmail does not.
If you want a more user-friendly option, you can try using a Chrome extension like GMass. This extension includes an "HTML" function that allows you to view and set the HTML in the compose window.
Related reading: Html Link Open Popup Window
With GMass, you can easily bring in embedded images for improved deliverability and edit or tweak your HTML as needed. GMass also automatically turns every message you send into a reusable template, saving you time in the future.
Here are some popular Chrome extensions for sending HTML email in Gmail:
- Send HTML in Gmail
- Free HTML Editor for Gmail by cloudHQ
- Send Mass Mail + HTML inserter for Gmail
- GMass
Sending Messages
You can send custom HTML emails using Gmail, but it's not as straightforward as you might think. There's a Chrome extension called Send HTML in Gmail that makes it easier to inject HTML into your emails.
To use this extension, you'll need to have your HTML email templates ready to go. You can download these templates and use Postdrop to edit the HTML and content. Once you have your templates ready, install the Chrome extension and follow these steps: install the extension, open Gmail and compose a new message, click the Send HTML in Gmail extension, paste your HTML into the input area, click "Inject HTML", and hit send.
For your interest: Html Email Template in Outlook
There are other ways to send HTML emails in Gmail too. You can copy and paste a rendered HTML email into the Gmail editor to send custom HTML emails. This method allows you to create visually appealing, customized emails while working within Gmail's constraints.
If you want to send personalized HTML emails to multiple recipients, you can use Mailmeteor. This email marketing tool seamlessly integrates with your Gmail and Google Sheets to let you create and send personalized emails with ease. It offers features like email personalization, an HTML template editor, email tracking, and a template library.
You can also use Chrome's Developer Tools to paste your HTML code into the Gmail Compose window. Alternatively, you can use a Chrome extension to add an HTML editor to the Gmail Compose box.
Here are the three ways you can add custom HTML into the Gmail Compose window:
- Copy/paste the rendered HTML into the Gmail Compose window.
- Paste your HTML code into the Gmail Compose window using Chrome's Developer Tools.
- Use a Chrome extension to add an HTML editor to the Gmail Compose box.
These methods can help you get your HTML designs into Gmail without needing to install anything extra or do anything technical.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get the HTML of an email in Gmail?
To view the HTML of an email in Gmail, click the 3 dotted menu on the right and select 'Show original'. This will display the raw source of the email, but be aware that it may be encoded in formats like Base64 or Quoted Printable
Do you really want to use HTML on Gmail?
Using HTML Gmail may limit features and performance, but it's suitable for slower connections and legacy browsers. For a full Gmail experience, upgrade to the latest version.
Featured Images: pexels.com


