Headers contain useful information about the path a specific e-mail takes. For example, they can show which mail servers the e-mail has passed through. This information can often help determine why a message was marked as unwanted. Below, you’ll find instructions for various email programs on how to access an email’s headers.
Webmail
1. Log in to your webmail account.
2. Open the email for which you want to view the headers.
3. Click 'Headers' below the sender's name.
4. The full headers of the message will appear in a new window.
Gmail
1. Log in to Gmail.
2. Open the e-mail for which you want to view the headers.
3. Click on the three dots (more options) next to reply button and select 'Show original'.
4. This will open a new window or tab displaying the full header, which includes information like timestamps, IP addresses, sender/recipient details, and tracking information.
Apple Mail
1. Open Apple Mail.
2. Click the e-mail for which you want to view the headers.
3. Go to 'View' → 'Message' → 'All Headers'.
4. The full headers will then appear in a window below your inbox.
Outlook
1. Open Outlook.
2. Click the e-mail for which you want to view the headers.
3. Click 'File' at the top.
4. Click 'Properties'.
5. The full headers will be shown under 'Internet headers'.
Outlook Hotmail (webmail-variant)
1. Log in to your Outlook/Hotmail account.
2. Click 'Inbox' in the left menu.
3. Right-click the message whose headers you want to view.
4. Click 'View Message Source'.
5. The full headers will appear in a new window.
Older versions of Outlook
1. Open Outlook.
2. Right-click the email in your inbox for which you want to view the headers.
3. Select 'Message Options' from the menu.
4. The full headers will appear in a new window.