Use Gmail SMTP for your website contact form
Your Gmail account can send your website’s emails. You just need an App Password and the right settings.
Last updated October 25, 2026
1Turn on 2-Step Verification
Google only allows App Passwords on accounts with 2-Step Verification. Open Google Account → Security → 2-Step Verification and turn it on if it isn’t already.
2Create an App Password
Go to Google Account → Security → App passwords, name it “FormSMTP”, and copy the 16-character password. You’ll use it instead of your normal Gmail password, which Google rejects for SMTP.
3Enter the settings in FormSMTP
| Provider | Gmail / Google Workspace |
| Host | smtp.gmail.com |
| Port | 465 with SSL on (or 587 with SSL off for STARTTLS) |
| Username | Your full Gmail address |
| Password | The 16-character App Password |
| From email | The same Gmail address, or an alias you verified in Gmail |
Click Test connection, then add your form. See the HTML contact form guide.
Gmail sending limits
Free Gmail accounts can send to roughly 500 recipients a day; Google Workspace accounts about 2,000. That’s plenty for contact forms. For newsletters or larger volumes, connect a sending service such as Amazon SES, Brevo or Resend as your SMTP instead.
Common errors
- 535 Username and Password not accepted: you used your normal password. Create an App Password.
- App passwords option is missing: 2-Step Verification is off, or your Workspace admin disabled App Passwords.
- Emails arrive “via gmail.com” or in spam: the From address doesn’t match the account. Use the same address you log in with.
FAQ
Is it OK to use Gmail SMTP for a website?
Yes, for normal volumes like contact forms and notifications. Stay within Google’s daily limits and only email people who expect it.
Should I use port 465 or 587?
Either works. Use 465 with SSL on, or 587 with SSL off (STARTTLS). FormSMTP fills in 465 when you pick Gmail.