Professional email sign-offs, and when to use each one
The closing line is the last thing the reader sees. Pick one that matches the message, then add your name and a short signature.
For most work emails, "Best," "Thanks," or "Kind regards," is safe. Use "Thank you," when the reader is doing something for you, "Sincerely," for formal letters and job applications, and "Cheers," only with people you already know.
The safe choices
| Sign-off | Tone | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Best, | Neutral | Almost anything at work |
| Thanks, | Friendly | Quick requests and replies |
| Thank you, | Warm and polite | When someone is helping you |
| Kind regards, | Polite, slightly formal | New contacts, customers, international email |
| Regards, | Formal, a little cool | Official notices |
| Sincerely, | Formal | Cover letters, complaints, formal letters |
| Best regards, | Polite | First contact with a client or partner |
| Warm regards, | Friendly-formal | People you have worked with before |
Sign-offs by situation
Job applications and interviews
- Sincerely,
- Thank you for your time,
- Thank you for considering my application,
- Respectfully, (government, legal and military roles)
Asking for something
- Thanks in advance, (use carefully; it can sound like you assume a yes)
- I appreciate your help,
- Thank you for looking into this,
Following up
- Looking forward to hearing from you,
- Talk soon,
- Hope to hear from you this week,
Saying thank you
- With thanks,
- Many thanks,
- Thank you again,
- Gratefully,
Customers and sales
- Happy to help,
- Here if you need anything,
- Best regards,
Colleagues you know well
- Cheers,
- Thanks!
- See you Monday,
- Just your first name
Sign-offs to avoid at work
- Love, XOXO, Hugs: personal only.
- Sent from my iPhone: turn this off; it can read as rushed. On iPhone go to Settings › Apps › Mail › Signature.
- Thx, Rgds, BR: abbreviations look careless to people outside your team.
- Yours truly, Yours faithfully: dated outside formal letters.
- No sign-off at all on a first email: it can read as cold. After a few replies in a thread, dropping it is normal.
How to format the sign-off and signature
Put the sign-off on its own line, followed by a comma, then your name on the next line. Under that, a short signature: name, title, company, one phone number and one link. Skip quotes, big logos and long legal text if you can.
Questions people ask
- Is "Best" too casual?
- No. "Best," is the most common neutral sign-off in business email. If you want slightly more warmth, use "Best regards,".
- Should there be a comma after the sign-off?
- In American and British business email, yes: "Thanks," then your name on the next line.
- Is "Thanks in advance" rude?
- Not rude, but it can sound like you expect a yes. "I appreciate your help" says the same thing more gently.
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