Guide
How to Schedule an Email in Outlook
Write your email, select the arrow next to Send, choose Schedule send and pick a time. That works in new Outlook, Outlook on the web and Outlook for Mac. In classic Outlook, select Options → Delay Delivery, set a “Do not deliver before” time, then select Send.
Subject Notes from today's call
Schedule send
Tomorrow morning
Tomorrow afternoon
Monday morning
Custom time: Tue · 9:30 AM
Waits in Drafts until the time you pick.
Quick answer
Schedule send in every version of Outlook
Every desktop and web version can schedule a single email. What differs is the menu name and whether your computer has to stay on.
| Version | Where to find it | Waits in | Sends with Outlook closed | Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Outlook for Windows | Send ▾ → Schedule send | Drafts | Yes | Not IMAP or POP |
| Outlook on the web / Outlook.com | Send ▾ → Schedule send | Drafts | Yes | Work, school, Outlook.com |
| Outlook for Mac | Send ▾ → Schedule send | Drafts | Yes | Exchange-based only. Not Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud |
| Classic Outlook for Windows | Options → Delay Delivery | Outbox | No, keep it online | Any |
| Outlook for iOS and Android | Menu next to Send → Schedule send | Drafts | Yes | Recent app versions |
Where a scheduled email waits
Per Microsoft's instructions for each version.
Step by step
How to schedule an email, by version
New Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web
- Write your email and add recipients.
- Select the arrow next to Send, then Schedule send.
- Pick a suggested time or Custom time, then select Send. The email waits in Drafts.
- To change it, open it in Drafts and select Cancel send. Edit, then reschedule or send now.
Classic Outlook for Windows (Delay Delivery)
- While writing, open the Options tab and select Delay Delivery, or open Message Options from the arrow in the Tags group.
- Under Delivery options, tick Do not deliver before and set the date and time.
- Select Close, then Send. The email waits in your Outbox.
- To cancel, open it in the Outbox, open Message Options again and clear the box.
Outlook for Mac
- Write your email with at least one recipient on the To line.
- Select the arrow on the Send button → Schedule send (older versions say Send Later).
- Enter the date and time and select OK. To cancel, open it in Drafts → Cancel Send → Yes.
Outlook for iOS and Android
- Write your email.
- Tap the menu next to the Send button and choose Schedule send, then pick a time.
- Not there? Update the app, or schedule it from Outlook on the web. It waits in Drafts either way.
Delay every email
Delay all outgoing mail with a rule in classic Outlook
A rule can hold everything you send for a few minutes, giving you a personal undo window. The maximum is 120 minutes.
- Go to File → Manage Rules & Alerts → New Rule.
- Under Start from a Blank Rule, choose Apply rule on messages I send → Next.
- Pick conditions, or none to cover every email (confirm with Yes), then Next.
- Tick defer delivery by a number of minutes, click a number of in the description and enter up to 120.
- Add exceptions if you want, name the rule, keep Turn on this rule ticked and select Finish.
New Outlook, Outlook on the web and Outlook for Mac don't have this rule. Use Undo send instead: up to 30 seconds on the web, and 5 to 120 seconds on a Mac. Already sent the wrong thing? See how to recall an email in Outlook.
Timing
When to schedule: the best time to send
For everyday email, schedule for when the recipient starts work in their time zone, so your message sits near the top of their inbox.
- Working across time zones? Schedule for the start of their workday, not yours.
- Writing late at night or on the weekend? Schedule for Monday morning so it doesn't look like you expect a reply now.
- Going on leave? Schedule the handover emails, then set your out of office.
Scheduling cold email? Outlook isn't built for sequences
Sources: Microsoft: Delay or schedule sending email messages in Outlook, Schedule send in Outlook for Mac, Undo Send in Outlook for Mac, Undo send in Outlook.com.
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How do I schedule an email in Outlook?
In new Outlook, Outlook on the web and Outlook for Mac, write the email, select the arrow next to Send, choose Schedule send, pick a time and confirm. In classic Outlook for Windows, select Options → Delay Delivery, tick “Do not deliver before”, set the date and time, close the box and select Send.
Does Outlook need to be open to send a scheduled email?
Not in new Outlook, Outlook on the web or Outlook for Mac: the message waits in Drafts and is sent even if Outlook is closed. Classic Outlook's Delay Delivery keeps the message in your Outbox, and Microsoft says Outlook must be online and connected for it to send.
How do I change or cancel a scheduled email in Outlook?
Open the Drafts folder, open the message and select Cancel send. It turns back into a draft you can edit, reschedule or send now. In classic Outlook, open the Outbox, open Message Options and clear “Do not deliver before”.
What is Delay Delivery in Outlook?
Delay Delivery is classic Outlook's name for scheduling. It sets a “Do not deliver before” time on one message. Classic Outlook can also delay every message you send by up to 120 minutes with a rule.
Why is Schedule send missing in Outlook?
Schedule send isn't available for IMAP or POP accounts, such as a Gmail or Yahoo address added to Outlook. Classic Outlook also doesn't call it Schedule send: look for Delay Delivery on the Options tab instead.
Can I schedule emails from the Outlook mobile app?
Recent versions of Outlook for iOS and Android offer Schedule send from the menu next to the Send button for Microsoft 365 and Outlook.com accounts. If you don't see it, update the app, or schedule the message from Outlook on the web.