How to change the language settings in Gmail

Updated: 12/31/2020 by Computer Hope
Gmail logo

Gmail is the top e-mail service worldwide. Consequently, Google offers many different options for language settings. Even though the default settings are chosen by region, users can change the language on their screen, the keyboard input language, and the language recognized by a stylus. To proceed, select a link from the list below and follow the instructions.

How to change the language displayed in Gmail

To change the language you see on all Gmail menus, follow the steps below.

  1. Open your Gmail account and sign in, if prompted.
  2. In the top-right corner of the screen, click theGmail settings iconicon.
  3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.

Settings selector in Gmail.

  1. In the Settings window, under the General tab, click the down arrow next to the Gmail display language box.

Language select menu arrow

  1. Select your preferred language from the menu.
  2. Scroll to the bottom and click the Save changes button button.

How to add a typing language, keyboard, or writing tool

The steps below help you change the language your keyboard types and add new virtual keyboards and stylus interpreters to a quick-select list.

  1. Open your Gmail account and sign in, if prompted.
  2. In the top-right corner of the screen, click theGmail settings iconicon.
  3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.

Settings selector in Gmail.

  1. In the Settings window, under the General tab, check the box (if not already checked) next to Enable input tools.

Enable input tools box in Gmail

  1. Next to the Enable input tools line, click the Edit tools link.
  2. Select a typing language (Add language in Gmail), virtual keyboard language (Add keyboard in Gmail), or stylus interpreter (Add stylus interpreter in Gmail) from the menu on the left (A). Then, click the arrow (Add arrow Gmail) to add the tool to the list on the right (B). When you're done making your additions, click the OK button on Gmail button at the bottom (C).

How to select a typing language, keyboard, or writing tool you've added

After you've performed the steps in the previous section, you can quickly access the options you've added by following the steps below.

  1. Open your Gmail account and sign in if prompted.
  2. In the top-right corner of the screen, click the small down arrow between the KeyboardKeyboard iconand SettingsSettings iconicons.

Language options triangle

  1. Select an option from the list. Repeat to change others as needed.

Input select menu