What Does CC Mean in Email? (And When to Use It)
CC means “carbon copy.” Learn what CC means in email, how it differs from To and BCC, and when you should (and shouldn’t) CC someone.
3 min read
Quick answer
CC stands for “carbon copy.” When you CC someone on an email, they receive a copy, and everyone on the email can see they were included. Use CC to keep people informed when they don’t need to act or reply.
You’ve seen the CC field under the To line in every email app. Here’s what it means, how it works, and when using it makes sense.
What CC means
CC stands for “carbon copy.” Before email, people slipped a sheet of carbon paper between two pages to make a copy of a letter while typing it. Email kept the name.
When you add someone to the CC field:
- They receive the same email as the people in the To field
- Everyone can see that they were copied
- If anyone clicks Reply All, they’ll get the reply too
To vs. CC vs. BCC
| Field | Who it’s for | Visible to others? |
|---|---|---|
| To | The people who need to read and act on the email | Yes |
| CC | People who should be kept informed | Yes |
| BCC | People who should receive it privately | No |
A simple rule: To = action, CC = awareness.
When to CC someone
CC is useful when you want to:
- Keep your manager in the loop on a client conversation
- Introduce two people (CC the person who made the introduction)
- Show transparency, for example when confirming an agreement
- Hand over a task and make it visible who’s now responsible
When not to CC
- Large groups of people who don’t know each other. Use BCC to protect their addresses.
- To “escalate” quietly. CC’ing someone’s boss without warning can feel like a threat.
- Out of habit. Every extra CC is another inbox you’re filling.
How to CC in Gmail and Outlook
- Gmail: In a new message, click Cc on the right side of the To field.
- Outlook: The Cc field appears below To in a new message. If you don’t see it, select Options → Show Fields → Cc.
- On phones: Tap the To field. Cc/Bcc usually appears just below it.
What does “CC’d” mean?
“CC’d” (or “cc’ed”) simply means someone was added to the CC field. “I CC’d you on the email” means “I sent you a copy so you’re aware.”
Frequently asked questions
What does CC stand for?
CC stands for “carbon copy.” The name comes from carbon paper, which was used to make a copy of a letter while typing it.
Can people see who is CC’d on an email?
Yes. Everyone who receives the email can see the addresses in the To and CC fields. Only BCC addresses are hidden.
Do I have to reply if I’m CC’d on an email?
Usually not. Being CC’d means the sender wants you to be aware of the message. Reply only if you’re asked a question or have something important to add.
What happens if someone CC’d clicks Reply All?
Their reply goes to the sender and everyone in the To and CC fields. That’s why large CC lists can lead to long reply-all threads.