How to retrieve the header of an email

The header of an email contains essential information about the path and origins of the email before it arrives in your mailbox. It is comparable to the postmark and routing information on a physical envelope sent through the mail.

Why email headers are important

Email headers can provide crucial information about the origin of an email, the servers it passed through, and various technical details that may help in troubleshooting or verifying the authenticity of the email. Email headers are often required when reporting spam, investigating delivery issues, or diagnosing potential security threats. In some cases, email headers may contain information required by technical support to diagnose issues or verify the authenticity of an email. The method for retrieving this information varies depending on the email client you use.

Retrieving email headers

How to retrieve email headers in Thunderbird

1. Select the email in your inbox that you need to investigate.
2. In the preview pane, click Others, then select View Source. A new window will open displaying the email’s source code, including its headers.
3. Copy the relevant header information from this window.

How to retrieve email headers in Gmail

1. Log in to your Gmail account.
2. Open the email containing the desired headers.
3. Click the downward arrow in the upper-right corner of the email (next to the reply button).
4. Select Show original from the dropdown menu. The headers will be displayed in a new window.
5. Copy the header information as needed.

How to retrieve email headers in Outlook

1. Navigate to your list of messages and double-click the email you wish to view. This will open the message in a new window.
2. Click on File > Properties. A new window will appear showing the email properties.
3. Copy the headers from the “Internet headers” section.

How to retrieve email headers in Outlook Web Mail

1. Log in to your Microsoft account.
2. Open the email for which you want to retrieve the headers.
3. Click the downward arrow in the email’s top right corner. A menu appears.
4. Click View Message Source. This will open a new window showing the message’s source code, including the headers.
5. Copy the header information from the “Internet Headers” section.

How to retrieve email headers in Mail for Mac

1. Open the Mail application on your Mac, then select the email you need.
2. Press Cmd + Shift + H. A new window will open, displaying the email’s header.
3. Copy the relevant header information from this window.