What's the difference between CC and BCC in emails?

CC = Carbon Copy. Everyone in the TO and CC fields can see who received the email. Use CC when you want to keep someone informed but they're not the primary recipient.

"I'll CC your manager on this so she's aware."

BCC = Blind Carbon Copy. BCC recipients receive the email but other recipients can't see they've been included. BCC recipients also can't see each other.

• Sending to a large mailing list (to protect everyone's email addresses)
• When you want a record but don't want the main recipient to know (use cautiously — this can feel like surveillance)
• Introducing yourself when leaving a company and CCing your successor

The etiquette concern: BCCing someone in a sensitive conversation without telling anyone can feel like gathering evidence. Most professionals use it transparently: "I'm BCC'ing my manager to keep her in the loop."

The origin: "Carbon copy" refers to carbon paper used in typewriters to make duplicate copies. The terminology survived into email.

Tags: business writing, email, etiquette, professional communication