Out of the box, Gmail opens each email full screen, so you click back to the inbox every time you finish one. The reading pane (Google also calls it the preview pane) splits the window so your email list and the open message sit side by side or one above the other, like Outlook. This guide shows how to turn it on, pick its position, and turn it off again in Gmail on the web, with real screenshots.
Quick answer
Click the Settings gear at the top right of Gmail, scroll the Quick settings panel to Reading pane, and pick Right of inbox or Below inbox. Or go to See all settings > Inbox, check Show reading pane, choose a position, and click Save Changes.
Reading pane at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Where (fastest) | Settings gear > Quick settings > Reading pane |
| Where (full settings) | Settings gear > See all settings > Inbox tab > Reading pane > Save Changes |
| Positions | No split (off), Right of inbox (side by side), Below inbox (top and bottom) |
| Default | No split (emails open full screen) |
| Works on | Gmail in a web browser on a computer |
| Best for | Right of inbox on wide screens, Below inbox on laptops and smaller screens |
Method 1: Turn it on from Quick settings
- Open Gmail on your computer and click the Settings gear at the top right. The Quick settings panel slides open on the right.
- Scroll the panel down to Reading pane.
- Pick Right of inbox or Below inbox. Gmail applies it straight away, with no Save button. Pick No split to turn it off again.
Method 2: Turn it on in See all settings
The full settings page has the same choice plus an on/off checkbox.
- Click the Settings gear, then click See all settings at the top of the Quick settings panel.
- Click the Inbox tab and scroll down to Reading pane.
- Check Show reading pane, then choose a Reading pane position: No split, Right of inbox or Below inbox. The positions stay greyed out until the box is checked. (Older Google help pages call this checkbox "Enable reading pane.")
- Scroll to the bottom and click Save Changes. Gmail reloads your inbox with the split view.
Using the reading pane
- Click any email in the list and it opens in the pane, so you can read the next one without going back.
- Keyboard shortcuts still work. With shortcuts on, j and k move to the newer or older conversation.
- Double-check before deleting: actions in the toolbar apply to the email shown in the pane (or the ones you've checked in the list).
Frequently asked questions
Why don't I see the Reading pane option?
Make sure you're using Gmail in a web browser on a computer, not the basic HTML view or the phone app. If Quick settings doesn't show it, use See all settings > Inbox instead.
How do I turn the reading pane off?
Pick No split in Quick settings, or uncheck Show reading pane on the Inbox tab and click Save Changes.
Does the reading pane mark emails as read?
Yes, an email you open in the pane counts as read, just like opening it full screen.
Is the setting the same on all my devices?
It's saved with your Gmail account, so it applies wherever you sign in to Gmail on the web. Each Gmail account has its own setting.
Which position should I choose?
Right of inbox suits wide monitors because you see more of the email at once. Below inbox keeps full-width subject lines and works well on laptops.
Sources
- Gmail Help: Preview your emails — turning the preview (reading) pane on and off, and the No split, Right of inbox and Below inbox modes.
- Gmail Help: Personalize your inbox — reading pane in Settings or the Quick settings sidebar.
- Screenshots captured November 12, 2026 in Gmail on the web, cropped to remove account and mailbox details. No settings were changed while capturing them.
Last checked November 12, 2026.
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