Guide
How to BCC in Outlook
In new Outlook and Outlook on the web, select Bcc to the right of the To line. In classic Outlook, select Options → Bcc. On a Mac, select Bcc at the end of the To line. Add addresses to the Bcc box: they get the email, but no other recipient can see them.
Subject Office closed Friday
Hi all, a quick heads-up that the office will be closed this Friday…
Basics
To vs CC vs BCC: who sees what
BCC (blind carbon copy) sends a copy without showing the address to anyone else. Recipients can't even tell that a BCC was used.
Who sees whom: To, CC and BCC
One email sent to Ana, copied to Ben, blind-copied to Cara.
| To | CC | BCC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use it for | People who need to act or reply | People who should stay in the loop | People who should get a private copy |
| Address visible to others | Yes | Yes | No |
| Gets other people's Reply All | Yes | Yes | No |
| Can see the BCC list | No | No | No, only the sender |
| Typical example | Your client | Your manager | A large list whose addresses should stay private |
Step by step
How to add BCC in Outlook, by version
New Outlook for Windows
- Select New mail, or reply to a message.
- Select Bcc to the right of the To line. If it isn't there, go to Options → Show fields → Show Bcc.
- Type addresses into the Bcc box, then send.
Classic Outlook for Windows
- Create a new message, or reply or forward.
- If it opens in its own window, select Options → Bcc. If it opens in the Reading Pane, select Bcc on the ribbon.
- Add recipients to the Bcc box and select Send.
Outlook on the web and Outlook.com
- Select New mail.
- Select Bcc to the right of the To line, and add addresses.
Outlook for Mac
- Start a new message.
- At the end of the To line, select Bcc, then add recipients.
Outlook for iOS and Android
- Tap the new message button.
- Tap the arrow at the end of the To line to reveal the Cc and Bcc fields, then add addresses to Bcc.
Settings
How to always show BCC in Outlook
Turn it on once and the Bcc box appears on every new message.
| Version | Always show BCC | Turn it off |
|---|---|---|
| New Outlook for Windows | Options → Show fields → Show Bcc | Same menu |
| Classic Outlook for Windows | Options → Bcc (stays on for new messages) | Select Bcc again: a light button means off |
| Outlook on the web / Outlook.com | Settings → Mail → Compose and reply → Always show Bcc → Save | Clear the box |
| Outlook for Mac | Outlook → Settings → Composing → Show BCC field by default | Clear the option |
How to see who you BCC'd
Only you can. Open Sent Items and select the message. In classic Outlook, a + number in the header (for example +11) shows how many more recipients there are; expand the header to see the full BCC list.
Mass email
Can you BCC everyone in an email?
Yes. Put your own address in To and everyone else in BCC, so nobody sees the list and a stray Reply All only reaches you.
- Recipient limits still apply. To, CC and BCC count toward one per-message cap, which can be as low as 100 addresses depending on your provider.
- Spam filters notice. Microsoft warns that junk filters often flag BCC messages, so ask recipients to add you to their Safe Senders list.
- Stopping a reply-all storm: reply with only your name in To, move the distribution list to BCC, and say why at the top.
Never BCC cold email prospects
More Outlook how-tos: recall an email, schedule an email and set out of office. Writing outreach instead? Start with the cold email guide.
Sources: Microsoft: Show, hide and view the Bcc field in Outlook for Windows, Bcc in Outlook for Mac, Create an email message in Outlook.
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How do I BCC in Outlook?
Open a new message. In new Outlook and Outlook on the web, select Bcc to the right of the To line (or Options → Show fields → Show Bcc). In classic Outlook, select Options → Bcc. On a Mac, select Bcc at the end of the To line. Then add addresses to the Bcc box and send.
What does BCC mean in email?
BCC stands for blind carbon copy. Everyone in the BCC field gets the email, but no other recipient can see their address, and BCC recipients can't see each other either.
Can BCC recipients see each other?
No. Each BCC recipient sees the To and CC addresses, but not the other BCC addresses. Only the sender can see the full BCC list, in Sent Items.
Can you BCC everyone in an email?
Yes. Put your own address in the To field and everyone else in BCC. Every address still counts toward your provider's per-message recipient limit, which can be as low as 100 addresses.
What happens if a BCC recipient clicks Reply All?
Their reply goes to the sender and everyone in To and CC, which reveals that they received a blind copy. If you BCC someone, tell them separately to reply only to you.
Should I use BCC for cold email?
No. Send each prospect their own one-to-one email from a dedicated, warmed-up mailbox, about 30 a day per mailbox. BCC blasts can't be personalized, look like bulk mail to spam filters, and put your domain at risk.