Starts at 3 hours
When the page generates an address, it records both the creation and expiration times. Until the countdown reaches zero, emails can continue arriving in the current inbox.
Timeline · Address lifecycle
How long does temporary email last? It starts when you create it—not just with the current countdown
A new address starts with 3 hours by default. You can extend the wait, but its total lifetime can never exceed 24 hours from creation. Changing addresses starts a new, separate session.
Refreshing does not reset the timer
Refreshing the inbox only checks for new messages. Refreshing the page restores the same address while its local token remains valid. Neither action quietly starts a new 3-hour period.
Capped at 24 hours
You can extend the timer when the sender has a long queue or confirmation process. No matter how many times you extend it, the current address cannot go beyond 24 hours from its original creation time.
Old session ends, new session begins
Change the address to separate your next task. The old address becomes invalid, so read any messages you need before starting a new 3-hour session.
Do not rely on recovery
The address and its contents enter the cleanup process, and old links or verification codes may already be invalid. For billing, account recovery, or long-term notifications, use a forwarding address you control from the start.
Three time limits that are easy to confuse
Address lifetime, email verification-code validity, and sender queue time are independent. A delayed email does not automatically extend the address, and an active address does not mean the verification code is still usable.
Starts at 3 hours, capped at 24
Shown by our countdown, which determines whether the current address can continue receiving mail.
Set by the sending website
Often just a few minutes—even if you can read the email, the code may already have expired.
Usually a few seconds to a few minutes
This depends on the sender's queue and the email network. Refresh first and check the address before switching repeatedly.