CC and BCC in Emails: What They Mean and How to Use Them

Alright, let’s talk about something you see every day when you write emails but might still wonder about: CC and BCC.
If you’re going to write emails professionally, you need to understand these two boxes as well as you understand the “To” field. By the end of this lesson, you’ll know exactly when to use each one — and when not to.

Understanding CC — and why you shouldn’t ignore it

When you write an email, the person in the To field is your main reader. That’s the person you’re talking to and expecting something from — a reply, an action, a decision.

Now, CC — which stands for carbon copy — is different. When you CC someone, you’re not asking them to do anything. You’re simply keeping them informed.

Think of it like saying:
“Hey, you don’t have to respond, but you should be aware of this conversation.”

You should CC someone when:

  • You want to keep a supervisor, teacher, or teammate in the loop.

  • You’re introducing two people and want everyone to follow the thread.

  • A message affects more than one person, but only one person needs to reply.

Everyone in To and CC can see each other’s email addresses, so CC is completely transparent.

Use CC when clarity matters.

Now let’s talk about BCC — your quiet, private tool

BCC stands for blind carbon copy.
This one is powerful, and if you misuse it, it can get awkward quickly — so use it responsibly.

When you put someone in BCC, they get a copy of your email without anyone else knowing. Their name stays hidden. They’re quietly watching the email, but no one sees them there.

You should use BCC when:

  • You’re emailing a large group and want to protect everyone’s privacy.

  • You want to avoid messy “reply all” chains.

  • You need to let someone see an email privately — for example, your supervisor — without making it obvious.

And here’s something important I want you to remember:
If you want someone to take action, never hide them in BCC. Put them in the To field.

BCC’s job is privacy, not responsibility.

How do you decide between CC and BCC

how to choose between cc and bcc in email

I’ll give you a simple rule — one that every professional uses:

  • If everyone should know who’s included → Use CC.

  • If email addresses should stay private → Use BCC.

  • If someone must take action → They go in the To field.

  • If someone needs to be aware but not involved → They can go in CC or BCC, depending on visibility.

When in doubt, think about clarity first. Emails are clearer when people know their role.

Common mistakes students make

Let me warn you about a few things I see all the time:

1. CC’ing people just to look “thorough.”
 This clutters inboxes and makes you look inexperienced.

2. Using BCC to secretly send emails behind someone’s back.
 This almost always leads to misunderstandings if the truth comes out.

3. Putting the wrong person in CC when they actually needed to respond.
 If you expect action, they must be in the To field.

4. Forgetting to BCC in group emails.
 This exposes everyone’s addresses — a major privacy mistake.

Be thoughtful. It shows professionalism.

A quick recap for you

Since I want you to really understand this, here’s the simplest way to remember:

  • CC = “Here’s a copy, and everyone can see you.”

  • BCC = “Here’s a copy, but no one knows you’re here.”

  • TO = “I need you to do something.”

Once you get comfortable with these three fields, your emails will be cleaner, clearer, and far more professional — and you’ll avoid the common mistakes beginners make.