Tired of using a plain @gmail.com for business, newsletters, portfolios, or professional emails? You can set up unlimited custom email addresses (like [email protected] or [email protected]) completely free — no monthly fees for Google Workspace or similar services.

This guide became super popular after a viral X (Twitter) thread, but many people get stuck because they don’t have a domain yet, or they try the wrong SMTP settings for sending emails.

This complete beginner-friendly tutorial covers everything from getting your first domain (free or very cheap) → setting up incoming mail with Cloudflare → sending from Gmail. No tech experience needed — follow along step by step.

Why This Setup Is Awesome (and What to Know)

Pros

  • Totally free after you get the domain (domain can cost $0–$12/year)
  • Unlimited email addresses/aliases (e.g., info@, support@, yourname@)
  • Emails arrive in your regular Gmail inbox
  • Send emails from your custom address directly in Gmail (web, mobile app, etc.)
  • Perfect for creators, freelancers, students, indie hackers, or side projects

Limitations

  • Cloudflare handles receiving only — we use Gmail to send
  • Outgoing emails use Gmail’s servers → good deliverability, but not perfect for massive cold emailing (may hit spam folders sometimes)
  • Gmail free account limit: ~500 emails/day
  • For super high volume or perfect branding, you could add a cheap SMTP service later

If you’re just starting — this is one of the best zero-cost setups in 2026.

Step 0: Get Your Domain Name (Free or Super Cheap Options)

You need a domain name first (like yourname.com). Here’s how to get one easily:

Option 1: Free for Students (Best if Eligible)

If you’re a student (university, college, bootcamp, etc.):

  1. Go to education.github.com/pack
  2. Sign up or log in with your GitHub account → verify student status (usually with school email or ID)
  3. Once approved (usually instant or 1–2 days), scroll to the “Domains” section
  4. Choose an offer:
    • Namecheap: Free 1-year .me domain (great for personal sites/emails)
    • Name.com: Free 1-year on extensions like .dev, .app, .live, .studio, .rocks, etc.
  5. Redeem the offer → follow their instructions to register the domain
  6. Done! You get a real domain for free for 1 year (renewal is usually cheap afterward).

Option 2: Very Cheap for Anyone (~$1–$10 First Year)

Popular beginner-friendly registrars with promos (as of February 2026):

  • Namecheap (recommended for simplicity): Often $0.99–$6.49 for first-year .com, .site, .online, etc. Use promo codes like 99SPECIAL for 99¢ domains or check current deals at namecheap.com/promos. Free WHOIS privacy included.
  • Porkbun: At-cost pricing, beginner dashboard, often $5–$10 for .com.
  • Cloudflare Registrar (if you plan to use Cloudflare anyway): At-cost renewals, no markup (~$10–$11/year for .com).
  • Hostinger or Wix: Sometimes bundle a free domain for 1 year with cheap hosting (but you don’t need hosting here — just the domain).

Steps to register (example with Namecheap):

  1. Go to namecheap.com
  2. Search for your desired name (e.g., rdjarbeng.com or mybrand.online)
  3. Add to cart → apply any promo code at checkout
  4. Create account → pay (credit card, PayPal, etc.)
  5. After purchase, you’ll get login access to manage the domain

Tip: Choose .com, .me, .dev, or .app — they look professional and are widely accepted.

Step 1: Add Your Domain to Cloudflare & Enable Email Routing (Incoming Mail)

Cloudflare is free and secure — it will handle receiving emails and forward them to your Gmail.

  1. Go to dash.cloudflare.com and sign up for a free account (email + password).
  2. After logging in, click Add a site (or Onboard a domain).
  3. Enter your domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) → Continue.
  4. Cloudflare scans your existing DNS (if any) → select the Free plan → Continue.
  5. Cloudflare gives you two nameservers (something like ns1.cloudflare.com and ns2.cloudflare.com).
  6. Go back to your domain registrar (Namecheap, Porkbun, etc.):
    • Find “Nameservers” or “DNS” settings
    • Change from default to Custom → paste the two Cloudflare nameservers
    • Save
  7. Wait 5–60 minutes (sometimes up to 24 hours) for changes to propagate → refresh Cloudflare dashboard until it says “Active”.
  8. In Cloudflare dashboard → select your domain → go to Email → Email Routing.
  9. Click Get started or Enable → Cloudflare adds the needed MX records automatically.
  10. Go to Email → Routes or Custom addresses → Create address.
  11. Test: Send an email to your new custom address → it should appear in Gmail within seconds!

Note: You can create unlimited addresses — all forward to the same Gmail (or different ones).

Step 2: Prepare Gmail to Send (Must-Do: App Password)

Gmail needs extra security for sending from custom addresses.

  1. Go to myaccount.google.com/security
  2. Turn on 2-Step Verification if not already enabled (use your phone).
  3. Search for App passwords → click it.
  4. Select app: Mail
    Select device: Other (name it e.g., “Custom Email”)
  5. Generate → copy the 16-character password (save it somewhere safe — no spaces).

Step 3: Add Your Custom Email to Gmail (Send From It!)

Important: Do not use Cloudflare’s server for sending — use Gmail’s.

  1. Open Gmail → click the gear icon → See all settings → Accounts and Import tab.
  2. Under Send mail as → click Add another email address.
  3. Fill in:
    • Name: Your name or brand
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Uncheck “Treat as an alias” → Next
  4. SMTP settings:
    • SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com
    • Port: 587
    • Username: Your full Gmail (e.g., [email protected])
    • Password: The App Password from Step 2
    • Use TLS: Yes (usually default)
  5. Click Add Account.
  6. Gmail sends a verification code to your custom email → it forwards to Gmail inbox.
  7. Find the code → enter it → verified!

Now compose emails in Gmail → click the “From” dropdown → choose your custom address.

Step 4: Boost Deliverability (Optional but Helpful DNS)

In Cloudflare DNS → add/update these TXT records:

  • SPF (prevents spam flags): 
    v=spf1 include:_spf.mx.cloudflare.net include:_spf.google.com ~all

    (Name/Host: @)

  • DMARC (monitor reports): 
    v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:[email protected]

    (Name/Host: _dmarc)

No DKIM from this free setup — that’s normal.

Testing & Tips

  • Send test emails to friends → check inbox/spam.
  • Set your custom address as default in Gmail if you want.
  • Mobile: Works perfectly in Gmail app.
  • Stuck on verification? Regenerate App Password (common issue).
  • Propagation slow? Wait and refresh — normal for new domains.

Alternatives If You Need More

  • Zoho Mail free tier: Full features + DKIM (limited storage)
  • Paid SMTP (e.g., SMTP2GO free tier) for better sending reputation
  • Self-hosted if advanced

This Cloudflare + Gmail trick is still one of the top free email hacks in 2026. Got it working? Share your custom email or any questions below!

Happy emailing!