How to Get a Read Receipt in Gmail

Ever sent an important email and wondered whether the other person actually read it? You are not alone. A read receipt tells you the moment your message is opened, so you can follow up at the right time instead of guessing.

The catch: Gmail’s built-in read receipts are only available on paid Google Workspace accounts, and even then the recipient has to approve them. For everyone else, there is a simpler way.

The quick way: add Mail Track to Gmail

Mail Track adds read receipts to any Gmail account, free, in three steps:

1. Install Mail Track from the Google Workspace Marketplace.
2. Compose and send your email exactly as you normally would.
3. Watch for double check marks the moment your email is opened, right inside Gmail.

No spreadsheets, no separate dashboard, no asking the recipient to confirm anything.

What you can see

Once tracking is on, every email you send shows you:

• Whether it was opened, with a single check mark for sent and double check marks for read.
• How many times it was opened, and when, down to the timestamp.
• All of it on mobile too, since the add-on works right inside the Gmail app.

You can also get an instant notification the second your email is read, so a timely follow-up is always one tap away.

Native Gmail read receipts vs Mail Track

Native receipts require a paid Workspace plan, only work inside your organization, and depend on the recipient clicking “send receipt”. Mail Track works on any Gmail account, tracks opens automatically, and is free for unlimited emails. For most people, it is the faster and more reliable option.

Ready to stop guessing? Add Mail Track to Gmail and see exactly when your emails land.