Email Sign-Offs: 50 Ways to End an Email (Professional, Friendly and Funny)
The best email sign-offs for work, clients, job applications and friends, plus which ones to avoid and how to format your closing.
3 min read
Quick answer
The safest professional email sign-offs are “Best regards,” “Kind regards,” “Thank you,” and “Best.” Match the sign-off to your relationship with the reader: more formal for first contact, simpler for colleagues. Put a comma after the sign-off and your name on the next line.
The sign-off is the last thing someone reads before they decide how to reply. A good one matches the tone of your email and your relationship with the reader. A bad one can make a friendly email feel cold, or a serious email feel careless.
How to choose an email sign-off
Ask yourself three questions:
- How well do I know them? First contact = more formal. Daily colleague = simple.
- What am I asking for? If you need something, “Thank you” works well.
- What did they use? Mirroring the other person’s sign-off is always safe.
Professional email sign-offs
Use these for clients, hiring managers, and anyone you’re emailing for the first time.
| Sign-off | Best for |
|---|---|
| Best regards, | Almost any work email |
| Kind regards, | Slightly warmer; common in the UK and Europe |
| Regards, | Short and neutral; can feel cool on its own |
| Sincerely, | Cover letters, formal letters, official requests |
| Respectfully, | Government, military, very senior recipients |
| Thank you, | When you’re asking for something |
| Thank you for your time, | Job applications, requests to busy people |
| With appreciation, | After someone has helped you |
| Warm regards, | Professional but friendly relationships |
| Looking forward to hearing from you, | When you need a reply |
Friendly and casual sign-offs
Good for colleagues you know, long threads, and informal teams.
- Best,
- Thanks!
- Cheers,
- Talk soon,
- All the best,
- Have a great weekend,
- See you tomorrow,
- Take care,
- Warmly,
- Speak soon,
Sign-offs for specific situations
When you need a reply
- Looking forward to your reply,
- Let me know what you think,
- Happy to discuss further,
When you’re saying thank you
- Many thanks,
- With gratitude,
- Thanks again,
When you’re following up
- Thanks for your help with this,
- Appreciate your time,
After a job interview
- Thank you again for your time,
- Best regards,
Funny email sign-offs
Only use these with people who already know your sense of humor.
- Sent from my couch,
- Caffeinated regards,
- Yours in spreadsheets,
- Over and out,
- Live long and prosper,
- May your inbox be light,
- Stay hydrated,
- Until the next meeting that could have been an email,
- Hugs and deadlines,
- Fingers crossed,
Sign-offs to avoid
- “Thanks in advance”: assumes they’ll say yes.
- “Yours truly” / “Love”: too personal for work.
- “Sent from my iPhone” alone: not a sign-off.
- “Rgds” / “Thx”: abbreviations look rushed.
- No sign-off at all in a first email: feels abrupt.
How to format an email sign-off
Put the sign-off on its own line, add a comma, then your name on the next line:
In a long thread with a colleague, it’s fine to drop the sign-off and just write your name, or nothing at all.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most professional email sign-off?
“Best regards” and “Kind regards” are the most widely accepted professional sign-offs. “Sincerely” is more formal and best kept for cover letters and official correspondence.
Do you put a comma after an email sign-off?
Yes. In standard English email style, put a comma after the sign-off (“Best regards,”) and your name on the next line.
Is “Best” rude as an email sign-off?
No. “Best” is a short form of “Best wishes” or “Best regards” and is common in business email. Some people find it a little curt, so use “Best regards” in a first email.
Should I use “Thanks” or “Thank you” to end an email?
Use “Thank you” when you’re asking for something or the email is formal. “Thanks” is fine with colleagues. Avoid “Thanks in advance” if you’re asking a favor, because it can sound like you assume the answer is yes.