Do you have that professional email mostly written, but you’re not quite sure how to wrap it up? Or do you feel like you’re defaulting to the same closings every time and want some alternatives? If you’re looking for fresh ideas on how to end an email, we’ve got you covered with some ideas to keep your correspondence engaging.
Sure, if you’re emailing someone you talk to everyday, it’s not necessarily the end of the world to skip the sign-off and end with just your name. But when you want to ensure an email makes a good impression, taking an extra beat to consider how you’re ending your note could help it land the way you want it to.
When you’re sending a professional email—for work or school, in your job search, or in a personal situation where you’re dealing with a business—the ending of your message “can leave a lingering favorable impression and give a satisfying sense of completion,” says Muse career coach Barb Girson.
Read on to see how to end an email professionally—plus a list of examples for any situation.
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How to end an email: Key elements
The amount and type of information you add to your email endings will depend on the situation. Generally, the less you know the person you’re emailing, the more info is required. These are the most common elements of professional email endings.
- Closing line: Jumping from the main subject of your email directly to your sign-off might be jarring, especially for longer messages. Ease the transition with a closing line that expresses gratitude or well wishes. Even if someone is quickly scanning an email, they often read the last line, Girson says, so you can also use this space to include a call to action or to reiterate to the recipient what you need from them.
- Closing (or sign-off): This is the word or phrase that goes right above your name. Think “Sincerely,” “Best,” “Thanks,” or something like “Have a great weekend!” Unless you’re more than a few emails into an email thread (especially over a short period of time) or you’re very close with the recipient, you need a professional closing for your email.
- Name: If this is the first email you’re sending someone, you should generally go with your full name (first and last or whatever you commonly go by). Another option is your first name followed by a default email signature that has your full name in it. For conversations with people you already know, your first name is usually enough.
- Pronouns: This is at your discretion and dependent on your comfort level—especially if you identify as LGBTQ. But for allies: Keep in mind that when you share your pronouns, you help create a safe environment and normalize the act in general so that trans and nonbinary people don’t feel conspicuous as the only ones doing it.
- Title and company: You might include one or both of these, depending on who you’re contacting and why. If you’re emailing someone outside the organization you work for, it tells the recipient what you do and where you work. If it's a coworker, the company you work for is a given, but if you haven’t interacted before, your position might be helpful to include.
Note: During your job search, you should leave your current workplace out. You’re not writing the email as part of your current company’s business (plus you’re trying to leave, so it could confuse the reader).
- Contact info: The person you’re emailing already has your email address (though you could include it in a default email signature), but you might want to consider adding other methods of reaching you such as a work or cell phone number. But only list ways you actually want to be contacted.
- More context about who you are/the work you do: If you’re making a first introduction or creating your default email signature, it can be used to give the recipient more context about what you. You could include links to your LinkedIn profile, personal website or portfolio, and/or your social media accounts (if they’re professional and relevant).
If you’re creating a default email signature, consider adding everything on this list from “name” down (you should tailor the closing line and sign-off for each note). Note that “Sent from my iPhone” is not part of a professional email ending. It's only appropriate when it makes sense for the other person to know that you sent an email on the go. Otherwise, delete this before you hit send, and definitely keep it out of any email cover letters.
Ways to end an email
Here are some examples of how to end an email professionally in different situations, according to who you're talking to.
Sending a cover letter
Thank you for taking the time to review my application, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Paolo Santiago
Graphic Designer
he/him/his
(555) 123-4567
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pasantiago/
Portfolio: www.paolosanti.com
Responding to an interview request
I look forward to speaking with you on Thursday.
Warm regards,
Sam Perkins
they/them/their
(444) 234-5678
Reaching out to someone at another company for the first time
I look forward to working with you as your company begins the transition to XYZ’s new CRM software.
All the best,
Letitia
Letitia Watson
she/her/hers
Account Manager, XYZ Solutions
(333) 345-6789
Emailing a colleague you work with regularly
I’m excited to hear your thoughts on this slide deck by Tuesday afternoon. Hope you have a great long weekend!
Thanks,
Jun
After a phone interview
As requested, I attached my portfolio for your review. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Best regards,
Kelly Jones
Web Developer
(555) 456-7890
Following up after an interview
Thank you for your time today. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Jon Smith
Accountant
(444) 345-6789
Accepting a job offer
Please let me know what the next steps are.
Thank you,
Anna Johnson (she/her)
(555) 123-4567
Following up after a meeting
As discussed, I attached the presentation file. Feel free to add your comments and suggestions.
Regards,
Jennifer
Project Manager
Blue Company
Updating your team
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this update and next steps moving forward.
Have a great day,
Lee
Lee Brown
Account Director (he/him)
Red Company
Networking
I'd love to connect over a virtual coffee to further discuss the project. Please let me know if you're available next Monday.
Best regards,
Grace Ortega
Screenwriter
linkedin.com/in/graort
(444) 567-8901
46 examples of email endings
Here’s a list of possible email closings to help you change things up. When considering what type of sign-off to go with, think about who you’re emailing and why. “It is up to you, the audience you are reaching, and the message you are conveying,” Girson says. If you’re replying to someone else’s message, try to pay attention to cues and gauge the formality of their note in order to match it, says Muse career coach Lynn Berger.
If you need something formal
Think cover letters, job search and application-related emails (especially if it’s the first time you’re emailing this person), and messages to people you don’t know well or at all. If you’re not sure what type of closing is most appropriate for a given situation, it’s best to err on the side of formality (but maybe loosen up that stuffy “Sincerely” and opt for a “Take care,” “Regards,” or the old standby “Best” instead).
- All the best
- Best
- Best regards
- Best wishes
- Looking forward to hearing from you
- Regards
- Respectfully
- Sincerely
- Speak with you soon
- Take care
- Warm regards
- Warm wishes
- Warmly
If you want something friendly
These email closings work well when you’re corresponding with someone you know well or when you’re a few exchanges deep in an email thread. Use these with close colleagues and coworkers or anyone else you have a professional, but more casual relationship with.
- Cheers
- Enjoy your [day of the week or week/weekend]
- Good luck
- Great catching up with you
- Happy [day of the week]
- Happy holidays
- Have a good one
- Have a great day
- Here’s to a great [day of the week]
- Hope this helps
- Hope you’re making it through [day of the week]
- See you tomorrow/next week/at [that upcoming activity or event you’ll both be attending]
- Sending good vibes
- Talk soon
- Until next time
If you’re many emails deep into a friendly or casual chain, you can also consider dropping the sign-off completely and just putting your name at the end of each email.
Read this next: Sick of Signing All Your Emails With Best? Here's When You Can Start Dropping the Formalities
If you want to show appreciation
Maybe the person is taking something off your plate during an especially busy week or connecting you with someone in their network. Or perhaps you’re just thanking someone for their time. Even when you’re just asking someone for something as part of both your job duties, it’s nice to show that you’re grateful.
After all, don’t you like it when you feel appreciated for doing your job? (Note: Try to match how effusive your thanks is with the reason you’re expressing gratitude to avoid confusion—“thanks a million” for something relatively small could leave the email receiver wondering if you’re being sarcastic.)
- All my thanks
- I can’t thank you enough
- I owe you
- Many thanks
- Much appreciated
- Thank you
- Thank you for everything
- Thank you in advance
- Thanks
- Thanks a million
- Thanks for reading
- Thanks for your consideration
- Thanks for your help
- Thanks so much
- With appreciation
- With gratitude
- You’re a lifesaver
- You’re the best
Email endings to avoid
These sign-offs have no place in a professional email. Reserve them for exchanges with friends and loved ones only.
- Have a blessed day (or anything else with religious overtones)
- Love
- Chat soon
- Peace out! (or any other slang)
- Thx (or any other abbreviations)
- Yours truly (or any closings that suggest a devotion that’s a bit too much for the workplace)
FAQs
How do I close an email professionally?
Use a closing line related to what's discussed in the email, then use a professional email sign-off, and finish with your signature. For example:
Thank you for your time today. As promised, I attached my portfolio and reference letter.
Best regards,
Lisa James
UX Designer
(555) 123-4567
What is a good closing sentence for an email?
If it's a professional email, try something along the lines of “Thank you for your time,” “Thank you for your consideration,” “Best regards,” or “I look forward to hearing from you.” If it's an informal exchange, you could say something like “Have a great day,” “Talk soon,” “All my thanks.” It all depends on who you're talking to and the formality level of the conversation.
How do you end a professional “goodbye” email?
For professional emails, avoid overly informal language like “Chat soon,” “Peace out,” and other slangs. Instead, opt for formal sign-offs, such as “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” and “Regards”. For example:
Thank you for the opportunity and support.
Sincerely
[Your name]
What's another word for “best” to end email?
Some good replacements for email sign-off “Best” are “Regards,” “Sincerely,” “Warm regards,” “Warmly.” When writing your message, match the tone of the receiver and pick your sign-off based on the formality level of your relationship.