Gmail Search Syntax
Standard Gmail search operators work in the query argument.
Common Operators
| Operator | Example | Description |
| ---------- | --------- | ------------- |
is:unread | is:unread | Unread messages |
is:starred | is:starred | Starred messages |
is:important | is:important | Important messages |
in:inbox | in:inbox | Inbox only |
in:sent | in:sent | Sent folder |
in:drafts | in:drafts | Drafts |
in:trash | in:trash | Trash |
in:anywhere | in:anywhere | All mail including spam/trash |
from: | from:alice@example.com | Sender |
to: | to:bob@example.com | Recipient |
cc: | cc:team@example.com | CC recipient |
subject: | subject:invoice | Subject contains |
label: | label:work | Has label |
has:attachment | has:attachment | Has attachments |
filename: | filename:pdf | Attachment filename/type |
larger: | larger:5M | Larger than size |
smaller: | smaller:1M | Smaller than size |
| Operator | Example | Description |
| ---------- | --------- | ------------- |
newer_than: | newer_than:7d | Within last N days (d), months (m), years (y) |
older_than: | older_than:30d | Older than N days/months/years |
after: | after:2026/02/01 | After date (YYYY/MM/DD) |
before: | before:2026/03/01 | Before date |
| Syntax | Example | Description |
| -------- | --------- | ------------- |
| space | from:alice subject:meeting | AND (implicit) |
OR | from:alice OR from:bob | OR |
- | -from:noreply@ | NOT (exclude) |
() | (from:alice OR from:bob) subject:meeting | Grouping |
"" | "exact phrase" | Exact phrase match |
Common Patterns
`
Unread emails from the last day
is:unread newer_than:1d
Emails with PDF attachments from a specific sender
from:accounting@company.com has:attachment filename:pdf
Important unread emails (not promotions/social)
is:unread -category:promotions -category:social
Emails in a thread about a topic
subject:"Q4 budget" newer_than:30d
Large attachments to clean up
has:attachment larger:10M older_than:90d
`