Gmail unread search operator
is:unread in Gmail: show only your unread emails.
Type is:unread into the Gmail search bar and press Enter: Gmail lists every conversation still marked unread. Add in:inbox for the inbox only, category:primary for the Primary tab, or in:anywhere to include archived mail, Spam, and Trash.
Last updated
is:unread is the Gmail search operator for unread mail. It works in the search bar on the web and in the Gmail app, and you can combine it with any other operator. Google lists it in its official search operator reference.
Gmail search leaves out Spam and Trash by default. Use in:anywhere is:unread when Gmail shows an unread count you cannot find: a filter can archive a message without marking it read, and a message can stay unread inside a label, Spam, or Trash.
Short answer
Search is:unread to see only unread Gmail messages.
is:unread returns messages Gmail currently marks unread. Use category:primary is:unread for the Primary tab, in:inbox is:unread for the inbox only, or in:anywhere is:unread to include archived mail, Spam, and Trash.
Beyond search
Want Gmail to only show mail from people you know?
Search finds mail after it arrives. KeepKnown checks each new sender against your Google Contacts and moves strangers to a KK:OUTSIDERS label, so your inbox shows people you know and nothing is deleted.
The audit is free and changes nothing in your inbox.
Show only unread emails in Gmail
- Click the search bar at the top of Gmail, or tap it in the Gmail app.
- Type is:unread and press Enter.
- To narrow it, add another operator, for example category:primary is:unread or from:alex@example.com is:unread.
- To clear them all, tick the select-all box, choose Select all conversations that match this search, then select Mark as read.
- To keep unread mail at the top, open Settings, See all settings, Inbox, and set Inbox type to Unread first.
Useful Gmail unread searches
is:unread
Every unread conversation outside Spam and Trash.
category:primary is:unread
Unread mail in the Primary tab, including Primary mail you archived. Add in:inbox to exclude archived mail.
in:anywhere is:unread
Search unread mail beyond the visible inbox.
in:inbox is:unread
Find unread mail still in the inbox.
in:inbox category:primary is:unread
Find unread Primary tab messages.
from:sender@example.com is:unread
Review unread messages from one sender.
newer_than:30d is:unread
Restrict unread cleanup to recent messages.
Choose the right unread scope
| Query | Includes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| in:inbox is:unread | Unread messages still in the inbox | A daily inbox review |
| category:primary is:unread | Unread messages in Gmail's Primary category | Finding person-to-person mail without other tabs |
| in:anywhere is:unread | Unread mail across Gmail, Spam, and Trash | Reconciling a badge or finding a hidden message |
| is:unread newer_than:7d | Recent unread mail in the normal search scope | A bounded cleanup session |
Ongoing fix
Search clears old unread mail. KeepKnown stops new outsider backlog.
Gmail search operators are cleanup tools. If unread mail keeps coming from people outside your contacts, KeepKnown can move those outsiders to a recoverable label before they create more unread work.
Questions before you connect.
What does is:unread do in Gmail search?
The is:unread operator returns messages currently marked unread. Type it in the search bar on the web or in the Gmail app, and combine it with operators such as in:inbox or category:primary.
How do I see only unread emails in the Primary tab?
Search category:primary is:unread. Add in:inbox if you want to leave out Primary messages you have already archived.
Why does is:unread miss some unread emails?
Gmail search leaves out Spam and Trash by default. Search in:anywhere is:unread to include them.
How do I mark all unread emails as read in Gmail?
Search is:unread, tick the select-all box, choose Select all conversations that match this search, then select Mark as read.
Can Gmail show unread emails first?
Yes. Open Settings, select See all settings, then Inbox, and choose Unread first as the inbox type.
What does the Gmail search operator in:anywhere do?
The Gmail search operator in:anywhere searches across Gmail, including archived mail, labels, spam, and trash.
Gmail unread cleanup
Find hidden unread outsider mail before it piles up again.