How to End an E-Mail: 21 Professional and Personal Sign-Offs

By: Francisco Guzman & Desiree Bowie  | 
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The closing you choose for your e-mail is just as important as the text of the e-mail itself. Andia/Getty Images

You just wrote the perfect e-mail, and now you're searching for the best way to close that message you've stared at for the past hour — don't worry, we've all been there. The good thing is that you're mindful of it because knowing how to end an e-mail is vital.

Even if it is just a word or short phrase, the right closing, followed by your full name and signature (more on that later), is the cherry on top of a well-written email sign-off. It's also the last thing the recipient reads.

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But before we go through closings that never fail, here are some you should definitely avoid.

Consider the Recipient

Knowing your audience is key when writing any communication — and that also applies to e-mails. If your message is business-related or for a job search, avoid using unprofessional language when closing out your e-mail and wrap things up with a professional closing line.

On the other hand, if you're writing to an old college roommate, it's fine to use a more casual sign-off. When shooting your sibling or spouse a quick message, you might skip a closer altogether and end with a hyphen followed by your name.

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Remember, context is key.

How to End a Professional E-Mail

A polished and professional closing can leave a lasting positive impression on your recipient, showcasing your attention to detail and communication skills.

  1. Best regards: This closing conveys a polite and neutral tone. It is suitable for most professional e-mails, especially when you have a cordial relationship with the recipient.
  2. Sincerely: This conveys formality and respect. It is ideal for formal e-mails such as job applications, cover letters or communication with someone you don't know well.
  3. Kind regards: This has a slightly warmer tone than "Best regards." It is appropriate for professional but friendly correspondence, such as with colleagues or business partners.
  4. Best wishes: This conveys a friendly and warm tone. It is suitable for semiformal e-mails, especially when you want to convey a bit of warmth, like to a client or a colleague you know well.
  5. Thank you: This closer expresses gratitude and appreciation. It is perfect for e-mails where you are requesting something, receiving help or acknowledging assistance.
  6. Regards: This neutral closer is arguably the most common way to end an e-mail professionally. It is a versatile closing suitable for most professional interactions, maintaining a formal tone without being too distant.
  7. With appreciation: This expresses sincere gratitude and respect. It is ideal for e-mails where you are expressing gratitude or acknowledging someone's efforts or assistance.
  8. Respectfully: This conveys high respect and formality. It is suitable for a very formal business correspondence, especially when writing to someone in a significantly higher position or authority.
  9. Warm regards: This conveys a friendly and warm tone with a touch of formality. It is good for a professional communication where you want to convey a bit more warmth, such as with long-term clients or colleagues you have a good rapport with.

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How to End a Personal E-Mail

Ending a personal or casual e-mail might seem straightforward, but the right closing can add a friendly touch and convey your personality. Whether you're writing to a friend, family member or a casual acquaintance, choosing an appropriate sign-off can make your e-mail feel more engaging and personable.

  1. Best: This is a simple and versatile sign-off that works well for most casual situations.
  2. Take care: This is a warm and caring way to end an e-mail, showing that you care about the recipient's well-being.
  3. Cheers: This is a friendly and informal closing, often used in British English. Bonus points if you're holding a cup of tea while typing it.
  4. Talk soon: This casual and open-ended sign-off suggests continued communication. Because, let's be honest, you're probably not done talking yet.
  5. All the best: This is a friendly and supportive way to close an e-mail. Perfect for when you want to sound like you're waving a tiny invisible flag of goodwill.
  6. See you soon: This is a good choice if you expect to see the person in the near future — or if you just really hope they'll finally come to visit you.
  7. Later: This is a casual and relaxed way to end an e-mail, suitable for close friends or family. Think of it as the e-mail equivalent of a head nod.
  8. Best wishes: This is a friendly sign-off that conveys good intentions (great for when you want to end on a high note).
  9. Ciao: This is an informal and stylish way to say goodbye, borrowed from Italian. This would be a perfectly acceptable closing for someone with whom you have a casual relationship.
  10. Take it easy: This is a relaxed and friendly closing, suggesting the recipient should take care and not stress. Basically, it's like sending them a virtual hammock.
  11. Have a great weekend: This is a friendly and timely closing, best used towards the end of the week when you want to wish the recipient a pleasant weekend. It adds a personal touch while remaining professional.
  12. Happy holidays: This is a warm and considerate closing, suitable during the holiday season. It's an excellent way to convey festive cheer and well-wishes while maintaining a professional yet friendly tone.

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Avoid These E-Mail Closings in Certain Situations

While there are many great ways to end an e-mail, some common closers are situation-dependent. Here are a few sign-offs you might want to skip.

  1. Love: This is too intimate for most professional or casual e-mails unless you're writing to a close family member or significant other. Save the love for your personal life.
  2. Yours truly: This sign-off is overly formal and sounds like you're ending a letter from the 19th century.
  3. Sent from my iPhone: While this can be an automatic signature, it suggests you didn't bother to customize your sign-off. Plus, it screams, "I might have made typos."
  4. Have a blessed day: This closing line is generally suitable in personal or informal settings but might be seen as inappropriate or overly familiar in professional contexts.
  5. Regards: It can seem too formal or cold in casual settings but is suitable for work e-mails.
  6. Take care: Depending on the context, this can feel a bit too personal or even condescending. It's like your e-mail is giving unsolicited life advice.
  7. Thanks in advance: This assumes the recipient will do what you ask and can feel presumptive or pushy. Also, it's a bit like saying, "You have no choice." A popular alternative is "looking forward to hearing from you," a popular call to action in a corporate setting.
  8. Warmest regards: This can seem overly sentimental unless you're writing to your grandmother. Are you sending an e-mail or a Hallmark card?
  9. Respectfully yours: This is overly formal and sounds like you're signing off on a legal document. Keep it simple.
  10. Cheers: While friendly in British English, it can be confusing or overly casual in American business contexts.
  11. TTYL (talk to you later): This is too informal and text-speak-y. Avoid using acronyms unless you're texting a relative, spouse or close acquaintance.

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Add a Signature to Your E-Mail

Now that you've chosen the right closer, it's time to add a professional email signature to finish things off. This should include your contact information — name, title, e-mail, phone number, etc. — so the recipient can easily connect without digging for your information elsewhere. For example:

Jane Doe

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Marketing Professional

(555) 123-4567

jane.doe@email.com

You might also include links to your professional social media profiles, like LinkedIn, or a personal portfolio website if you have one:

John Smith

Software Engineer

(555) 987-6543

john.smith@email.com

LinkedIn Profile

Portfolio Website

Like a cover letter and resume, a well-crafted signature helps make a good impression, showcasing your professionalism and attention to detail. Creating a thoughtful signature can enhance your communication and leave a lasting positive impression on your recipients.

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Check Your Punctuation

One last thing before you hit send: When ending an e-mail, proper punctuation is essential to maintain professionalism. Always place a comma after the closing phrase, followed by your name on the next line. This small detail helps your e-mail appear polished and respectful.

You can also use an exclamation point in closings like "Thank you!" to convey enthusiasm and friendliness. This punctuation adds a touch of warmth and can make your message feel more personable and engaging. However, use it sparingly to maintain the right balance of professionalism.

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In addition to proper punctuation, the way you close your e-mail can demonstrate your attention to detail and reflect your overall communication skills. It can influence how the recipient perceives your message and you as a professional. Neglecting this can make your e-mail appear rushed or careless, potentially impacting the effectiveness of your communication.

And remember, punctuation can make all the difference. After all, there's a big difference between "Let's finish this project" and "Let's finish this project!" One sounds like a task; the other sounds like a pep rally!

This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

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