How to Export Gmail Contacts (CSV or vCard)

Your Gmail contacts live in Google Contacts, which is why there's no export button inside Gmail itself. Exporting takes a minute and gives you a file you can keep as a backup or import into Outlook, Apple Mail, a CRM or a new Google account. Here's how, which format to choose, and the work-account limit to know about.

Export your contacts step by step

1. Go to Google Contacts on your computer, signed in with the same account as your Gmail.
2. Tick the contacts you want to export. To export everyone, tick any contact, then click Selection Actions at the top left and choose All.
3. At the top right, click More actions, then Export.
4. Choose a format.
5. Click Export to save the file.

Which format should you pick?

Format	Best for
Google CSV	Backing up your contacts, or moving them to another Google account
CSV for another service	Importing into another email account or a CRM that accepts CSV files
vCard	Apple Contacts and many phone and email apps

Google's own advice is to choose Google CSV when you're backing up. If you're moving to a different email provider, check which format it asks for before you export, because it saves an extra round of converting.

Export everything or just some?

You don't have to export your whole address book. Tick only the contacts you need, for example clients you're moving into a CRM, and export just those. Google also suggests exporting as a way to clear up storage: export a backup, then delete the contacts you don't need from Google Contacts.

Work and school accounts

If your Google account belongs to an employer or school, Google says you can't select all contacts in the Directory, which is the list of everyone in your organisation. You can still export contacts you've saved yourself. If you're leaving a job and want your personal contacts, export them before your account is closed, and only take what you're entitled to.

After you export

• Find the file in your Downloads folder and rename it with today's date.
• Open it to check it contains the names and emails you expected.
• Store it somewhere private, because it's personal data about other people.
• Delete stray copies once you've imported it where it needs to go.
• If you share the file with a colleague or assistant, use a secure link rather than an email attachment.

Moving contacts into Outlook or another tool

Most email apps and CRMs have an import option that accepts CSV or vCard files. Use their import tool, choose your file, and match up the columns if asked, such as which column holds email addresses. Try a small test import first if your list is large or important, so you can spot problems before you've imported a thousand messy records.

Moving to a new Google account

If you're switching from one Gmail address to another, Google CSV is the format to use. Export from the old account, sign in to Google Contacts with the new account, and use the import option to bring the file in. Do it while you can still sign in to the old account, and check the numbers roughly match afterwards. It's also a good moment to decide which contacts you really want to carry over: old suppliers, one-off enquiries and duplicate entries can stay behind.

Keeping a regular backup

Contacts tend to get lost at the worst moment, when an account is hacked, a phone is replaced or a job ends. Exporting a Google CSV backup every few months takes a minute and means you always have a recent copy. Save it somewhere separate from your Google account, such as an encrypted drive, so a problem with the account doesn't take your backup with it. Delete older backup files once you have a newer one, so personal data isn't scattered across your computer.

Restoring contacts

Google's help article also covers backing up and restoring contacts. If you've accidentally deleted or changed a batch, restoring can be quicker than re-importing from a file, so check that option first if something's gone wrong recently.

Keep your contact list useful

An export is a good moment for a tidy-up. Merge duplicates, delete people you'll never contact again and fill in missing details for your most important contacts. If you're moving names into an email marketing tool, only add people who've agreed to hear from you, and check the addresses first: my guide to email verification tools explains why. And if you're also syncing contacts with social apps, my guide to syncing contacts on Facebook covers what that shares.

My verdict

Go to Google Contacts, select the contacts (or Selection Actions, All), then More actions, Export. Choose Google CSV for a backup, or the format your next app asks for. Check the file, store it safely, and remember work accounts can't export the whole company directory. A two-minute export now can save hours of rebuilding an address book later.

Frequently asked questions

How do I export contacts from Gmail?

Open Google Contacts, select the contacts or use Selection Actions, All, then click More actions, Export, choose a format and click Export.

What format should I export Gmail contacts in?

Google recommends Google CSV for backups. Use the CSV or vCard format your next email app or CRM asks for.

Can I export all my Gmail contacts at once?

Yes. Tick any contact, then click Selection Actions and All before exporting.

Why can't I export my company directory from Google Contacts?

Google says work and school users can't select all contacts in the Directory.

Where do I find exported Gmail contacts?

The file downloads to your computer, usually in your Downloads folder.