Choose your filters
Add only what you know: a sender, a date range, unread status, an attachment type, a mailbox location, or message size. Blank fields are ignored, so you never need to complete the entire form.
Free · No login · Browser-based
Gmail Search Query Builder
Create advanced Gmail searches without memorizing operators. Choose who, when, where, size, status, and attachments—then copy the query or open it in Gmail.
✓ Plain-English filters✓ Live query preview✓ Your mailbox stays private
Example query
from:[email protected] has:attachment filename:pdf older_than:1yFind old PDF attachments from a specific sender in one search.
Interactive Gmail search builder
Private · runs in your browser
Build your advanced Gmail search
Select any combination of filters. Your valid Gmail search query and a plain-English explanation update instantly.
Start with a recipe:
How it works
Build a Gmail search in three steps
The builder translates ordinary choices into operators Gmail already understands.
Review the query
The generated query updates immediately. A plain-English explanation shows what each operator does, while validation catches reversed dates and impossible size ranges before you search.
Copy or search Gmail
Copy the query into Gmail on any device, or use the Gmail button to open a search. You stay in control: InboxQuery does not ask for account access or store the values you enter.
Useful searches
Turn common inbox problems into precise queries
Gmail’s search box is much more capable than a basic keyword field. The challenge is remembering the exact syntax. InboxQuery combines operators in the correct order so you can focus on the message you are trying to locate.
For example, select Archive and Unread to generate in:archive is:unread. Add a sender and a one-year age filter to narrow that search further. To find storage-heavy files, combine has:attachment, a filename such as pdf, and a larger-than value. Every filter remains visible and editable.
Supported filters
What the Gmail search query builder can combine
People and subjects
Search by sender with from:, recipient with to:, or words in the subject line with subject:. Multiple senders are grouped as alternatives instead of accidentally requiring one message to come from several people.
Dates and message age
Create an exact window with after: and before:, or use relative filters such as older_than:6m. Gmail’s before date is an exclusive boundary, an important detail when searching a single day.
Status and location
Find unread, starred, read, or important mail. Search Archive, Sent, Drafts, Spam, Trash, or use in:anywhere when a message seems missing from normal results.
Files and message size
Require an attachment, search a filename or extension, and set larger-than or smaller-than thresholds. Gmail evaluates size against the complete encoded message, not only the visible attachment.
Words and exact phrases
Include ordinary terms, keep a phrase together with quotation marks, and exclude unwanted terms with a minus sign. These filters are useful for separating final documents from drafts or cancelled requests.
Gmail categories
Limit results to Primary, Promotions, Social, Updates, or Forums. Categories depend on how Gmail classified a message, so a category filter can be removed when a known email does not appear.
Examples
Gmail search query examples you can adapt
Start with the smallest query that could work, check the result, and then add one filter at a time. This makes it easier to identify a condition that is too strict.
What InboxQuery does—and what it does not do
InboxQuery is a client-side query composer. It turns the options you select into text supported by Gmail’s search box. Form values are processed in your browser. The site does not request OAuth permission, connect to Gmail, read message content, inspect contacts, or send your search terms to an InboxQuery server.
The result still depends on Gmail’s index and classification. A message may be absent because it is in Spam or Trash, because its sender address differs from the visible display name, or because a date boundary excludes it. Gmail can also interpret punctuation and word variants differently from a conventional database. When results are too narrow, remove the most uncertain filter first.
InboxQuery is an independent utility and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google. Operator behavior can change. Consult Google’s official Gmail search documentation for the authoritative operator list.
For repeat searches, keep the generated query in a trusted notes app and label what it is intended to find. Fixed dates preserve a historical window, while relative age filters continue moving with the calendar. Recheck saved queries before a bulk Gmail action because labels, categories, sender addresses, and retention needs can change over time.
FAQ
Gmail Search Query Builder questions
What is a Gmail search query?
A Gmail search query is the text entered in Gmail’s search box. It can contain ordinary words plus operators such as from:, after:, is:unread, has:attachment, and larger: to narrow the results.
Does InboxQuery need access to my Gmail account?
No. InboxQuery creates query text locally in your browser. It does not request a Google login, OAuth permission, mailbox access, or message data.
Can I combine several Gmail search operators?
Yes. Gmail accepts multiple operators in one search and normally treats them as AND conditions. The builder combines sender, date, status, location, words, attachments, and size filters.
Why does a Gmail query return no results?
One condition may be too narrow. Remove uncertain filters one at a time, verify the sender’s actual address, expand the date window, or use in:anywhere to include Spam and Trash.
Can I use these searches in the Gmail mobile app?
Yes. Copy the generated query and paste it into the search box in Gmail for Android or iPhone. Some account-specific behavior can differ, but the core operators are the same.
Is InboxQuery affiliated with Google?
No. InboxQuery is an independent search-query utility and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google. Gmail is a trademark of Google LLC.