How the signature gets into Gmail
Gmail has no box for HTML code in its signature settings. The signature box is a rich text editor, so you paste the finished signature and not the code. The generator copies it in a form that Gmail keeps: tables, colors, links and your photo stay in place.
The 10,000 character limit
Gmail allows up to 10,000 characters in a signature, and that includes the formatting behind what you see. Above, the meter shows how big your signature is. A normal signature is far below the limit. If you come close, remove the disclaimer, shorten the links or choose the Minimal layout. Gmail can add some markup of its own when you paste, so leave a margin.
If the picture does not show
- The image must be online, and the link must start with https://. A file on your computer is not enough.
- Do not use a link to a private page, such as a file in a folder that needs a sign in. The people who read your email cannot open it.
- If the picture is missing after you paste, click the image icon in the signature box and add it again by its web address.
Common problems
- The signature does not appear in new emails. Check Signature defaults in the settings and choose your signature there.
- It sits under the quoted reply. Tick the option to insert the signature before quoted text in replies.
- It looks different on a phone. The Gmail app uses a separate text signature. Open the message in a browser to see the full version.
- Dark mode. Use dark text and an accent color that is readable on white and on a dark background, and use the dark preview option to test.
For other programs use the Outlook signature generator or the HTML signature code. The main generator has the same layouts, and the email signature guide covers design rules. Need a smaller picture? Use the image resizer before you host it.