CC in email stands for “carbon copy,” and it’s used to send a visible copy of an email to people who should be informed but are not the main recipients.

Quick Scoop

What does CC mean in email?

  • CC = Carbon copy. It comes from the old practice of using carbon paper to make duplicates of typed or written letters.
  • In modern email, putting someone in the CC field means they get the same message as the main “To” recipient, and everyone can see who was CC’d.
  • People in CC are usually there “for awareness” only, not because you expect them to reply or take action.

Think of CC as putting someone on speakerphone: they can hear everything, everyone knows they’re listening, but they’re not necessarily the one you’re talking to directly.

When should you use CC?

  • To keep stakeholders, managers, or teammates in the loop on an important update.
  • To introduce a new contact and show everyone who is now involved (for example, copying a new project manager).
  • To maintain transparency so everyone can see who received the information.

CC vs BCC (quick contrast)

  • CC: All recipients can see who else got the email; good for open, transparent communication.
  • BCC (blind carbon copy): Recipients in BCC are hidden from others; used when privacy is important or you’re emailing a large group.

TL;DR: Use CC when you want someone to see the email but not necessarily do anything about it, and you’re fine with everyone seeing that they’re included.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.