How to customize and insert an HTML email signature in Gmail

What is an HTML email signature?

To be precise, all email signatures are HTML email signatures since all major email providers (including Gmail) show content structured in HTML. But, most people use this term to describe a rich email signature that includes images, GIFs, icons, and complex visual designs or formats. 

Sadly a signature like that can’t easily be made with Gmail alone. If you want to create a rich HTML email signature you can do it with no effort at all using Wisestamp.

Can you use HTML in Gmail signature?

You can definitely use HTML in your Gmail signature, but it will take a bit of inter-tab acrobatics, meaning that you’ll need to employ an HTML editor to copy and paste the HTML into Gmail’s settings. Keep reading to see how it’s done.

Another possibility is using a free tool like the Wisestamp HTML signature generator. This is definitely the easier and less time-consuming option. 

Using custom HTML directly in Gmail settings is not possible

Sadly Gmail still doesn’t incorporate an HTML editor in its email signature settings. This means that you can’t code your signature or edit its HTML using the Gmail editor. But you can insert a complete HTML snippet externally and then use Gmail’s editor to make limited small changes.

How to insert HTML in your Gmail signature without it breaking

Inserting an HTML email signature in Gmail is easy. It’s doing it without the signature breaking that’s hard. If not done properly your signature may end up distorted, cut off, with its images not showing, or in simple plain text. 

If you already made a signature and encountered one of the problems listed above – make sure to see the FAQs section at the bottom of the page.

2 ways to add an HTML signature to Gmail:

1. By creating your own code
2. by letting a Wisestamp make the code for you and install it for you in your Gmail

Keep in mind that when adding your signature code you want it to be responsive, meaning that you want the signature to resize to fit different devices and screen sizes.

1) Insert a responsive HTML signature in Gmail with automatic installation

The best way, hands down, to add a responsive HTML signature to your Gmail account is by using Wisestamp’s free signature builder. You don’t need to invest time or effort in editing code or styling a makeshift signature in word processing or design apps. 

Simply add your personal details and the signature features you require (like social media icons, images, custom buttons, banners, disclaimers, and more). Wisestamp will build you a professional HTML signature. We’ll also automatically install it in your Gmail, and all you need to do is sign up with your Gmail account. 

If you don’t want to sign up you can choose to export your signature as HTML and paste it into Gmail’s settings. Your choice.

2) Insert your own HTML in Gmail signature – in 7 quick steps

You should know that you can’t simply use common word-processing apps like Microsoft Word or Google Docs to create a working HTML signature. Word or Docs will import unwanted styling with the imported HTML and break your original design. 

The easiest way to create your own signature design in HTML without directly coding it yourself would be to design it in Word and paste it into a free HTML editor. There you can clean the unwanted styling and edit the code to fit your liking.

1. Make your signature in Word or Google Docs

2. Paste your signature into this HTML editor and press the Clean button to clear all styling.

3. Edit your signature and give it your desired styling and spacing
4. Copy your signature from the left panel (not the raw HTML on the right side) and paste it into your Gmail signature editor

5. Make sure your signature appears the way you intended. Add spacing or reload your images through the editor if needed
6. Scroll down the page and hit the “Save changes” button
7. Open a new message window to find your signature there

It’s not possible to add an HTML signature on Gmail mobile app

The Gmail Android and iOS apps are sadly, much more basic than their desktop counterparts. The mobile apps allow only plain text and do not allow for inserting HTML or images. You’ll have to let go of any gran HTML aspirations and settle for a plain text signature instead. Read more about Gmail mobile signatures.

Explore more Gmail signature guides

Add image Add social media icons Add email disclaimer Add clickable phone number Create multiple signatures Create HTML signature Add signature banner Add GIF Add video thumbnail Add quote

See more See less