- Turn on dark mode in Gmail on a computer
- Themes you can choose
- Fine-tune your theme
- Use your own photo
- Dark mode on your phone
- Why some emails still look bright
- If you send emails yourself
- Dark mode and your browser
- Switching between themes during the day
- Is dark mode better?
- Other quick comfort tweaks
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To turn on dark mode in Gmail on a computer, click the settings cog to open Quick settings, go to the Theme section, click View all, choose Dark. That switches Gmail's background to dark. On your phone, Gmail has its own theme setting in the app, so you set it there separately.
Gmail's bright white screen is hard work at night or in a dim room, and switching it to dark takes seconds. On a computer, dark mode is one of Gmail's themes, sitting alongside photo backgrounds and the default look. Here's how to switch, how to tweak it, and what to expect from emails that weren't designed for a dark background.
Turn on dark mode in Gmail on a computer
- Open Gmail in your browser.
- Click the settings cog at the top right to open Quick settings.
- Go to the Theme section and click View all.
- In the theme window, select Dark.
- Close the theme window when you're happy with how it looks.
To go back to normal, follow the same steps and choose Default.
Themes you can choose
| Theme | What it does |
|---|---|
| Default | Gmail's standard light look |
| Dark | A dark background that's easier on the eyes in low light |
| Pre-uploaded themes | Photo and pattern backgrounds from Google |
| My photos | A background from your own Google Photos |
Fine-tune your theme
Google says some themes let you adjust the text background, make the corners darker with Vignette, or Blur the background image. If those options don't appear for the theme you picked, that theme can't be changed. Dark mode itself is designed to be simple, so most of the tweaking applies to photo themes.
Use your own photo
In the theme window, click My photos at the bottom left and pick a picture from Google Photos. It's a nice personal touch, but busy photos can make email text harder to read. If you go this route, try the blur option so your inbox stays readable.
Dark mode on your phone
The Gmail app on your phone has its own theme setting, separate from Gmail in your browser. Look in the app's settings for the theme option and choose dark, or set it to follow your phone's system setting so it switches automatically at night. Changing it on your computer won't change your phone, and the other way round.
Why some emails still look bright
Dark mode changes Gmail's own background and menus, but many marketing emails are designed with their own white backgrounds and images. Those can still appear bright, or look slightly odd with dark text on a dark area. That's down to how the email was designed, not a fault with your settings.
If you send emails yourself
Plenty of your readers will be using dark mode, so test your newsletters and designed emails in a dark inbox before you send. Logos with transparent backgrounds and black text can disappear on dark screens. Simple, text-led emails usually look fine in both. My re-engagement email template is a good example of a plain format that reads well in light or dark, and my guide to using Gemini in Gmail helps with drafting emails faster once you're happy with how your inbox looks.
Dark mode and your browser
Gmail's theme only changes Gmail. If you'd like the rest of your browser dark too, most browsers and computers have their own dark setting, and some websites follow it automatically. That's separate from Gmail's theme, so you can mix and match: a dark Gmail in a light browser, or the other way round. If Gmail looks dark but other parts of the page don't, that's the reason. For the most consistent look, set your computer to dark mode and choose the Dark theme in Gmail as well.
Switching between themes during the day
Gmail's theme stays as you set it until you change it, so if you like light in the morning and dark at night, you'll need to switch it yourself on a computer. It only takes a few clicks in Quick settings. On your phone, setting the app to follow your system theme does the switching for you, which is the easier option if you read most of your email on the move.
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Is dark mode better?
It's mostly personal preference. Many people find dark mode more comfortable in the evening or in dim rooms, while light mode can feel sharper in bright daylight. Try dark for a few days and see whether you notice it less. If you can't decide, letting your phone follow its system setting gives you the best of both.
Other quick comfort tweaks
- Use your browser's zoom to make email text bigger if you're squinting.
- Pick a simpler inbox layout in Quick settings to reduce clutter.
- Turn off any theme photo if it's distracting.
- Lower your screen brightness in the evening, which helps whichever theme you use.
My verdict
On a computer: Quick settings, Theme, View all, Dark. On your phone: set the theme separately in the Gmail app. Expect some designed emails to stay bright, and test your own emails in dark mode if you send newsletters. It's a small change that makes long evenings in your inbox a lot more comfortable.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn on dark mode in Gmail?
On a computer, open Quick settings from the settings cog, go to Theme, click View all and choose Dark.
How do I turn off dark mode in Gmail?
Open Quick settings, go to Theme, click View all and choose Default.
Does Gmail dark mode on my computer change my phone?
No. The Gmail app on your phone has its own theme setting, so set it there separately.
Can I use my own photo as a Gmail theme?
Yes. In the theme window, click My photos and choose a picture from Google Photos.
Why are some emails still white in Gmail dark mode?
Many designed emails have their own white backgrounds and images, which dark mode doesn't fully change.
