Send a direct message

You can send a direct message (DM) to a person or group in Google Chat.

Learn how DMs work

• DMs can be from you to another person or include multiple people.
• When one or more people read your message, their avatar displays next to their last read message.
• To focus conversation around a topic, project, or shared interest with multiple people, create a space instead. Learn the differences between spaces and DMs.

Find your DMs

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
   • In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.

2. On the left, click Direct messages.

Tip: To search for DMs, use the search bar at the top. Learn how to search for messages.

Send a DM

Important: If this is your first time sending a message to someone else, they need to accept your message request before you can chat with them.

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
   • In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.

2. Click New chat.
3. Enter a name or an email addres.
4. Click Start chat.
   • When you enter a name or email address, you can get suggestions.
   • To start a group DM, add more names or email addresses.
5. In the reply area, enter a message.
6. Click Send .

Tip: To start a new DM easily, next to a person’s name:

• Click Start chat .
• Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Enter / ⌘ + Enter.

Message options

In the reply area, you can add more content to your message before you send it. You can:

• Format your message .
• Add an emoji .
• Insert a GIF .
• Upload a file or photo from your computer .
• Insert a Google Meet link .

For more options, click Google Workspace tools to:

• Attach Drive files .
• Schedule a meeting in Google Calendar .
• Add Chat apps.

Turn a DM into a space

Important: If there are 2 or more people in the DM, you can turn a DM into a space.

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
   • In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.

2. Open a DM.
3. At the top, click the conversation name.
4. Click Turn this chat into a space.

Learn how DMs work in Google Workspace

If your work or school uses Chat, your administrator allows you to send messages to people in and out of your organization.

• You can chat with someone outside of your organization if:
  • They use their personal Google Account.
  • Both organizations allow it.
• When you chat with someone outside of your organization, an “External” badge displays next to their name.
• You can’t add people outside of your organization to group DMs.
• When you add people to a DM, you can find suggestions. Suggestions include everyone in your organization, even if they don’t have Google Chat.

Related resources

• Reply to a message
• Mark a conversation as read or unread