Use it once, then throw it away
A throwaway email is an address you never intend to use again. The one at the top of this page is ready now: it can receive mail immediately, needs no account, and is thrown away automatically after 5 days. It's the quickest way to get past an "enter your email" box without signing your real address up for years of marketing.
Throwaway email in three steps
- Copy the throwaway address at the top of the page.
- Use it wherever an email is required.
- Check the inbox on this page for the code or link, then walk away. It cleans itself up.
Throwaway email vs. a second email account
Some people keep a second Gmail just for sign-ups. That works, but it's not the same thing:
| Throwaway email | Second Gmail/Outlook account |
|---|
| Setup time | None | Several minutes, often a phone number |
| Linked to your identity | No | Usually, through your phone or recovery email |
| Spam piles up | No, deleted after 5 days | Yes, forever |
| Can recover accounts later | No | Yes |
| Can send email | No | Yes |
Rule of thumb: if you'll never log in again, use a throwaway. If you might, use a real account or an email alias.
Why throwaway emails protect you
- Data breaches lead nowhere. When a site you used is hacked, the leaked address has already expired. Compare that with our data breach checklist for when your real email leaks.
- Less phishing. Scammers target addresses from leaked lists. Fewer lists with your real address means fewer convincing scams. Learn the warning signs in How to Spot a Phishing Email.
- Less tracking. Marketers use your email as an ID across sites. A throwaway breaks that link. More in our guide to email tracking pixels.
Use throwaway emails responsibly
Protecting your privacy is legal and sensible. Using throwaway addresses to abuse free trials repeatedly, create fake accounts in bulk or evade a ban is not, and it breaks our Terms of Service. MailGenerator is receive-only, so it can't be used to send spam.
Frequently asked questions
Is a throwaway email free?
Yes, completely free and with no sign-up.
How is it different from 10 minute mail?
Classic 10 minute mail expires in minutes, which can be too fast if a verification email is slow. MailGenerator's throwaway inbox lasts 5 days, and you can still delete it right away.
Can I get the same throwaway address again?
Yes, within 5 days: note the address and enter it with the "Change" button. After that it's gone.
Will a website know it's a throwaway address?
Some can tell. See why websites block temporary email.
