How to add social media icons to an email signature

Add each icon as a small image, then link the image to your profile. Use hosted PNG files, not SVG, because Gmail and classic Outlook do not show SVG reliably. Display the icons at 16 to 24 pixels, upload them at twice that size so they stay sharp on high-resolution screens, and give each one alt text such as "LinkedIn". Most signatures need two to four icons, not every network you have.

In Outlook

1. Open the signature editor (File > Options > Mail > Signatures in classic Outlook, or Settings > Accounts > Signatures in new Outlook).
2. Place the cursor where the icon goes and insert the picture.
3. Select the picture and add a hyperlink (Ctrl+K) to your profile URL.
4. Repeat for each network and save.

Microsoft's guide for Outlook 2013 to 2024 and Microsoft 365 uses the same insert-picture-then-link method.

In Gmail

1. Open Settings > See all settings > General > Signature.
2. Click the image button and insert each icon by URL. Gmail needs a public image address.
3. Select the icon, click the link button and paste the profile URL.
4. Click Save Changes at the bottom.

Getting icons right

• Hosted, not attached. An icon pasted from your computer may travel as an attachment and show as a paperclip. See Outlook signature images as attachments.
• Square PNG with transparency, or a solid background that works on dark mode. See logos in dark mode.
• Alt text. When images are blocked, the alt text is what people see. See image alt text in signatures.
• Fewer is better. Pick the networks where you actually answer messages.

The quicker way

Sendoff's free generator has icons for LinkedIn, X, Instagram, YouTube, GitHub, WhatsApp, Calendly and others. It hosts the images, sets the size and alt text, and links each icon for you. Copy the result into Gmail, Outlook or Apple Mail.

FAQ

What size should social icons be in an email signature? Display them at 16 to 24 pixels high. Upload them at double size so they look sharp on high-resolution screens.

Why do my signature icons show as attachments? They were embedded from your computer instead of linked from a public URL. Use hosted images.

Can I use SVG icons? It is safer not to. Gmail and classic Outlook do not display SVG reliably, so use PNG.

Sources

• Microsoft Support, "Insert hyperlinks to Facebook and Twitter in your email signature": https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-hyperlinks-to-facebook-and-twitter-in-your-email-signature-40833df1-9459-48f0-b90f-0f6e66536206
• Google Help, "Create a Gmail signature": https://support.google.com/mail/answer/8395