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
- On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
- In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.
- 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.
- On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
- In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.
- Click New chat.
- Enter a name or an email addres.
- 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.
- In the reply area, enter a message.
- 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.
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:
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.
- On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
- In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.
- Open a DM.
- At the top, click the conversation name.
- 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.