How Do You Do Underscore In An Email Address?
Press Shift + - on a desktop keyboard or tap the underscore key on a smartphone’s symbol screen
Why would you need an underscore in an email address?
An underscore lets you create unique email addresses without changing your domain name
Underscores (_) are perfectly valid in most email systems—though they look different from hyphens. As of 2026, big providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo still accept them, but some newer platforms and domain registrars block them due to outdated technical standards. RFC 5322 allows underscores in the local part of an address, while ICANN bans them entirely in domain names. (Honestly, it’s a simple way to personalize your address without messing with the main parts.)
How exactly do you type an underscore in an email address?
On desktop computers, press Shift + -; on laptops without a dedicated hyphen, use the numeric keypad or on-screen keyboard
- Click into any email field (To, Recipient, Username, etc.).
- Windows users: Hold Shift and press the - key (usually next to 0).
- macOS users: Same trick—Shift + - on a US keyboard layout.
- You should see the underscore appear:
user_name@example.com
No dedicated hyphen key on your laptop? Try the numeric keypad: enable Num Lock, then Shift + 0. Or open the on-screen keyboard (Win + Ctrl + O on Windows) and click _.
What if your phone keyboard doesn’t show the underscore?
On iPhone, iPad, or Android:
- Open any app or website with an email field.
- Tap the field to bring up the keyboard.
- Switch to the ?123 or symbols page.
- Tap the
_ key—it’s usually on the first symbols screen.
Any shortcuts for typing an underscore on smartphones?
Use built-in keyboard tricks: long-press on iPhone, swipe on Android Gboard, or tap through symbols on Samsung
| Device | Shortcut or Path |
|---|
| iPhone / iPad | Long-press the hyphen key on the main keyboard |
| Android (Gboard) | Swipe from 1 to @ and release on _ |
| Samsung Keyboard | Tap ?123 → #+= → _ |
I tried Shift + - and nothing happened—what now?
Check your keyboard layout, use copy-paste, or open the system character picker
- Check your keyboard layout: French AZERTY or German QWERTZ layouts often need Shift + : or AltGr + -. Test in Notepad first to see what you get.
- Copy-paste trick: Open a blank text file, type
_, copy it, then paste into the email field with Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (macOS).
- Windows Character Map: Hit Win + . to open the emoji & symbol picker, search “underscore,” and drop it right in.
How can I avoid underscore problems in the future?
Test with a disposable email, stick to universally accepted characters, and clean up old contacts
- Test before you submit: Many sign-up forms only reject underscores after you hit “Send.” Try a temporary email like temp-mail.org to verify the format works.
- Play it safe: If you’re unsure, stick to letters, numbers, and periods (
.). They’re accepted everywhere.
- Clean up your contacts: Switching providers? Export your address book and remove any addresses that contain underscores to dodge bounce-backs.
- For extra flexibility, use disposable alias services like Guerrilla Mail or AnonAddy—they let you spin up temporary addresses without underscores.
Does every email provider accept underscores?
No, some newer or niche providers block them, even though major services still allow them
While Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo have no issues, smaller providers or newer platforms sometimes reject underscores outright. That said, RFC 5322 technically permits them in the local part of an address. If you’re unsure, check the provider’s documentation or test with a disposable email first.
Can I use an underscore in a work email address?
It depends on your company’s email policy and provider
Some corporate setups (like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace) allow underscores, while others restrict them. Check with your IT department before trying to use one. If they block it, you’ll need to stick to letters, numbers, or hyphens.
What’s the difference between an underscore and a hyphen in an email?
Underscores are generally safer for uniqueness, while hyphens are more widely accepted
Hyphens (-) are accepted almost everywhere, but underscores can help you create more unique addresses without changing your domain. That said, some systems treat them differently, so test before committing. (Personally, I find hyphens easier to type on most keyboards.)
Why do some forms reject underscores even when providers allow them?
Form validation rules often lag behind provider policies
Even if your email provider accepts underscores, the sign-up form might still block them due to outdated validation rules. That’s why testing with a temporary email first can save you headaches later.
Are underscores allowed in domain names?
No, ICANN bans underscores in domain names entirely
While RFC 5322 allows underscores in the local part (before the @), ICANN explicitly prohibits them in domain names. So you can use user_name@example.com, but not user@ex_ample.com.
Can I use an underscore in a Gmail address?
Yes, Gmail fully supports underscores in email addresses
Gmail has accepted underscores for years, so you can safely use them in your Gmail address. Just remember that dots also work—john.doe@gmail.com and john_doe@gmail.com both route to the same inbox.
What about Outlook or Yahoo? Do they allow underscores?
Yes, both Outlook and Yahoo accept underscores in email addresses
Outlook and Yahoo have supported underscores for a long time, so you won’t run into issues using them in those services. That said, always double-check if you’re using a newer or less common provider.
How do I know if my provider blocks underscores?
Try sending a test email or check the provider’s documentation
If you’re unsure whether your provider allows underscores, send a test email to yourself first. If it bounces back, you’ll know it’s blocked. Alternatively, check the provider’s support docs—most list accepted characters in their email policy.
Are there any characters I should avoid entirely in email addresses?
Yes—spaces, quotes, and angle brackets are universally problematic
Stick to letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and underscores. Avoid spaces, quotes, or symbols like <, >, or @ outside the local/ domain split. (Seriously, some systems flat-out reject anything that looks remotely unusual.)
