What Does BCC Mean in Email? (And When to Use It)
BCC means “blind carbon copy.” Learn what BCC means in email, who can see BCC recipients, when to use it, and how to BCC in Gmail and Outlook.
2 min read
Quick answer
BCC stands for “blind carbon copy.” People in the BCC field receive the email, but no one else can see that they were included, and other BCC recipients can’t see each other either. Use BCC to email a group without sharing everyone’s address.
BCC is the hidden version of CC. It lets you send a copy of an email to someone without anyone else knowing.
What BCC means
BCC stands for “blind carbon copy.” Like CC, it sends a copy of your email to extra people. The difference is that BCC addresses are hidden:
- People in To and CC can’t see BCC recipients
- BCC recipients can’t see each other
- Only you, the sender, can see the full list
When to use BCC
Emailing a large group
Sending an announcement to 50 parents, customers or event guests? Put their addresses in BCC so you don’t share everyone’s email with everyone else. It’s also good privacy practice.
Moving someone out of a thread
When a colleague introduces you to someone, you can thank them and move them to BCC so they don’t receive the rest of the conversation:
Keeping a private record
Some people BCC their own second address or a CRM to keep a copy. That’s fine for your own records.
When not to use BCC
- To secretly loop in your manager on a sensitive conversation. If it’s discovered, it damages trust. Use CC openly or forward the email afterwards.
- For confidential information. BCC hides addresses, not content. Recipients can still forward the email.
- For mass marketing. Use a proper email marketing tool so people can unsubscribe.
How to BCC in Gmail and Outlook
- Gmail: In a new message, click Bcc on the right side of the To field.
- Outlook: In a new message, click Bcc next to the To field. If you don’t see it, go to Options → Bcc.
- iPhone Mail: Tap Cc/Bcc, From below the To field.
To vs. CC vs. BCC
| Field | Visible to others? | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| To | Yes | People who need to act |
| CC | Yes | People who should be informed |
| BCC | No | People who should get a private copy |
Want the full comparison? Read CC vs. BCC.
Frequently asked questions
What does BCC stand for?
BCC stands for “blind carbon copy.” “Blind” means the other recipients can’t see who received the copy.
Can BCC recipients see each other?
No. Each BCC recipient sees only the sender, the To and CC recipients, and themselves.
What happens if a BCC recipient clicks Reply All?
Their reply goes to the sender and everyone in To and CC, which reveals that they were BCC’d. That’s why BCC recipients should reply only to the sender, if at all.
Can the To recipient see BCC?
No. Recipients in To and CC can’t see BCC addresses. Only the sender can see who was BCC’d, in their Sent folder.