If you are reading a message in GMail, press the # key (Shift+3) and that message will instantly move to Trash.
Alternatively, select one or more email messages in the GMail list view, press the same # hash key and all the selected GMail conversations will be deleted in one batch.
We tested this on Internet Explorer and Firefox but it should work just fine on Opera, Safari and other browsers. Go, spread the word. Thanks mattl.
Related GMail Tips & Tricks:
Keep Your GMail Inbox Size Under Control
Quickly Remove False Positives from GMail Spam folder
Update: If the GMail delete key isn't working for you, make sure that you have switched on the shortcuts from GMail settings page.
Reader Comments
Not sure if this works on Firefox.(I have Firefox/2.0.0.3).
Written on 23/3/07 10:10 PM
why would they hide this?
This is the second most important shortcut, after 'y' for archiving.
Written on 23/3/07 10:41 PM
I'm using a UK keyboard in Firefox and found that Shift+1 sends a message to spam, I can't get # key to do anything for me.
Written on 24/3/07 3:38 AM
Tested and works in Firefox 2.0.0.3. Incredible shortcut, thanks! Why would they not advertise this??
Written on 24/3/07 7:36 AM
yes... it works on IE... but the question is WHY not have a delete button???
Written on 24/3/07 10:09 AM
Good marketing strategy by Gmail. Let it's users find these little nuggets and have the community start talking about it, instead of putting out a manual on the delete key feature where it's interest will never be discussed by the blog community.
Written on 24/3/07 8:18 PM
That was a nice tip Thanks for that.
Written on 25/3/07 8:25 PM
Europeans using an AZERTY-keyboard may need to press AltGr+3 to get # and delete a message. It works for me.
Written on 25/3/07 9:34 PM
@ Craig
For UK keyboards just press the # key. No need to press the shift button as the # key is the primary function on that key. This key is located near your Enter/Return Key.
It works on IE and FF
Written on 25/3/07 10:15 PM
This doesn't work for me anymore. Thanks for killing this =(
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Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.3) Gecko/20070309 Firefox/2.0.0.3
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Written on 26/3/07 2:41 AM
If you are on the Apple Mac OS X, you will have use the Cmd-3 key shortcut instead of Shift+3 to delete GMail messages.
Written on 26/3/07 8:42 AM
Works fine of Firefox 2.0.0.2
Written on 26/3/07 10:34 PM
I have tried this Shift 3 (# key) to delete a mail message, but its not working. I am using IE-6, SP-1 version.
Cheers
Kapil Ohri
Written on 27/3/07 4:06 PM
I find it easiest to "X" mark items and then delete en masse.
Written on 26/6/07 12:16 AM