# Direct messages

**Direct messages (DMs)** are conversations with other users that happen outside
of a [channel](/help/introduction-to-channels). They are convenient for 1:1 and
small group conversations.

If you find yourself frequently conversing with the same person or group, it
often works best to [create a private channel](/help/create-a-channel) for your
conversations. This lets you organize your discussion into topics, and subscribe
or unsubscribe people as needed.

## Send a DM

{!send-dm.md!}

## View your direct message conversations

There are a few different ways to view your DM conversations.

{start_tabs}

{tab|via-left-sidebar}

{!view-dms-left-sidebar.md!}

!!! tip ""

    To return to the channel list in the left sidebar, click the **back to
    channels** link above the search box.

{tab|via-right-sidebar}

1. If the [user list](/help/user-list) in the right sidebar is hidden, click the
   **user list** (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-user-list"></i>) icon in
   the upper right to show it.

1. Click on any user to view your 1:1 DM conversation.

!!! tip ""

    You can find a user by typing their name in the **Filter users** box at the
    top of the right sidebar.

{tab|via-compose-box}

1. Click the **New direct message** button at the bottom of the app, or use the
   <kbd>X</kbd> keyboard shortcut to [open the compose box](/help/open-the-compose-box).

1. Start typing a user's name in the recipient bar, and select their name from
   the list of suggestions. Continue to add users for a group DM conversation.

1. Click the highlighted **Go to conversation** (<i class="zulip-icon
   zulip-icon-chevron-right"></i>) button at the top of the compose box, or use
   the <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>.</kbd> keyboard shortcut to view that DM
   conversation.

{tab|mobile}

{!mobile-direct-messages.md!}

1. Tap a recent DM conversation to view it.

{end_tabs}

## Find a direct message conversation

{start_tabs}

{tab|via-left-sidebar}

{!find-dm-conversation-left-sidebar.md!}

{tab|via-search-box}

1. Click the **search** (<i class="search_icon zulip-icon
   zulip-icon-search"></i>) icon in the top bar to open the [search
   box](/help/search-for-messages).

1. Start typing a user's name. You'll be able to select DMs with that user
   from the list of suggestions.

1. *(optional)* Continue to add users via the search box for a group DM
   conversation.

!!! tip ""

    You can also type `dm-including` in the search box to find all 1:1 and group
    DM conversations that include a particular user.

{end_tabs}

## Go to direct message feed

You can see all your direct messages in one place.

{!dm-feed-instructions.md!}

## Related articles

* [Typing notifications](/help/typing-notifications)
* [Open the compose box](/help/open-the-compose-box)