Seen an apostrophe in an email address and wondering if it was legitimate? Curious if you can include the character in your address? Find out here whether apostrophes are ok to use in email addresses ⤓.
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Can I Use Apostrophes in Email Addresses?
Email Addresses with Apostrophes in Theory
Yes, you can use apostrophes in an email address.
Straight apostrophes are part of the characters always allowed in email addresses by common email standards.
You can
- start your email address with an apostrophe,
Example:'example@ladedu.comis valid. - put an apostrophe immediately before the @ sign in an email address or
Example:example'@ladedu.comis valid. - use multiple apostrophes in email addresses.
Example:ex''ample@ladedu.comis valid.
Domain: The domain name (the part following the @ character) can technically include apostrophes, but typically will not.
Email Addresses with Apostrophes in Practice
In practice, many email services will not let you crate email user names that contain apostrophes.
If an email service enforces such a policy, you will not be able to use that apostrophe in your email address.
'''@example.com?
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Apostrophes in Email Addresses: FAQ
Can I use curly apostrophes in an email address?
No.
The curly apostrophe characters (right single quotation mark and modifier apostrophe) are not part of the characters allowed.
Example: ’example@ladedu.com is not a valid email address.
Curly apostrophes?
Mac: How to Type a Curly Apostrophe on the Mac Keyboard
Linux: How to Type a Typographic Apostrophe ( ’ ) on Linux
Windows: How to Type a Typographic (Curly) Apostrophe ( ’ ) on Windows
Can I use a back quote (`) in my email address?
Yes.
In addition to the apostrophe ('), email addresses can include the back quote character (`) — also known as accent grave and left or open quote.
Example: `example@ladedu.com is a valid email address.
You can, of course, also double the back quote in your email address.
Example: ``example''@ladedu.com is a valid email address.
Important: The same is not true for the corresponding accent acute. See below.
Can I include a tilde (´) in my email address?
No.
The tilde (´) — also known as accent acute and right or close quote — is not allowed in an email address.
Example: ex´ample@ladedu.com is not a valid email address.
Can I insert a quotation mark (“) in my email address?
No.
Quotation marks are not characters allowed in email addresses.
Example: examp"le@ladedu.com is not a valid email address.
As an alternative, you can use double apostrophes or two accents grave to mimic quotation marks in an email address.
Example: examp''le@ladedu.com is valid.
(First published April 2020, last updated July 2026)