In Gmail, there are 3 ways to check for new email:WaitRefresh pageClick the refresh buttonHow often does Gmail check while you're waiting?
How often does Gmail auto-check for new emails?
gmail
For a POP account it depends on how often you get mail. If one check results in new mail being found it will shorten the time until the next check, until it reaches a minimum wait time of 5 minutes. If it checks and doesn't find new mail, it lengthens the wait time until it reaches the maximum, which I believe is an hour between checks.For mail sent directly to Gmail it has new mail coming in all the time, though they don't update your screen instantaneously.In either case there will be a delay while Google is virus checking them, depending on the size of the message and the size and type of attachments.