This quick guide will take you through the steps of retrieving email headers which can be used to track the journey of the email sent with more insight.

 

What is an email header? 

 

Email Header lines make up the first part of any email message. They contain information used to control the message and its transmission as well as metadata such as the Subject, origin and destination email addresses, the path an email takes, and maybe its priority. 




Get email headers in Gmail


  • In Gmail, open 'original' email.
  • Click for menu button (down arrow next to the Reply button).
  • Choose Show original.



Get email headers in Hotmail

  • Open the email.
  • Click for menu button (down arrow next to the Reply button).
  • Choose View source.



Get email headers in Outlook and Outlook Express:

  • Double click to open the email message in it's own window
  • Select Actions > Other Actions
  • Click Message Header


 


Get email headers in Thunderbird:

  • Open the message in question.
  • In the Menu select More.
  • Select Message Source.