How to End an Email: 40 Best Sign-Offs and Final Lines by Situation

To end an email, write one final line that tells the reader what happens next, add a sign-off that fits your relationship (such as "Best regards," for work or "Talk soon," for a friend), then your name. For a first contact, add a short signature with your title and contact details.

Below you'll find a copy-ready ending, 40 sign-offs sorted by situation, final lines you can drop in, full example emails, and the sign-offs to stop using.

Quick template

Copy this structure for almost any work email. Only the last three lines change from email to email.

Subject: [Topic of your email]

Hi [Name],

[Your message.]

[Final line: the next step or a specific question, such as "Could you let me know by [day] if this works?"]

Best regards,
[Your full name]
[Job title], [Company]
[Phone number] | [Website or LinkedIn URL]

The three parts of an email ending

Every good email ending has the same three pieces, in this order.

1. The final line. One sentence that wraps up the message: a next step, a question, or a thank-you.
2. The sign-off. A short phrase such as "Best," or "Thanks," followed by a comma.
3. Your name and signature. Full name for a first email, first name once you're on familiar terms, plus contact details where useful.

This guide focuses on choosing the sign-off and the final line for each situation. If you want a longer list of complete closing sentences, see our guide on how to close an email with 60 closing lines.

How to choose a sign-off

Ask two questions: how well do you know the reader, and what do you need from them?

When in doubt, "Best regards," is hard to get wrong.

40 email sign-offs by situation

Each sign-off below includes a quick note on when to use it.

Safe professional sign-offs

These fit almost any work email, from a first contact to a weekly update.

1. Best regards, The default for professional email. Polite, neutral and widely used.
2. Kind regards, Slightly warmer than "Best regards." Good for clients and customers.
3. Best, Short and friendly. Ideal once you've exchanged a few emails.
4. Regards, Neutral but a bit cool. Fine for routine notes, less ideal when you want warmth.
5. All the best, Friendly and professional. Works well at the end of a project or conversation.
6. Best wishes, A touch warmer. Good for people you've worked with before.
7. Warm regards, Professional with some warmth. Good for long-term clients and partners.

Formal sign-offs

Use these for job applications, cover letters, legal or official matters, and anyone senior you don't know.

8. Sincerely, The standard formal sign-off in American English. Right for a job application.
9. Respectfully, For very formal or hierarchical contexts, such as a judge, government office or senior official.
10. Yours sincerely, Formal, common in British English when you know the reader's name.
11. Yours faithfully, British English for when you don't know the reader's name ("Dear Sir or Madam").
12. With respect, Formal and serious. Use when you're disagreeing politely or raising a sensitive issue.
13. Cordially, Formal and courteous, a little old-fashioned. Fine for official correspondence.

Sign-offs that show thanks

Use these when the reader is doing something for you, or already has.

14. Thanks, Short and versatile. The best choice when you've just asked for something.
15. Thank you, A little more formal than "Thanks." Good for managers, clients and first contacts.
16. Many thanks, Warm and grateful. Works well when someone has helped a lot.
17. Thanks again, Use when you've already thanked them in the body of the email.
18. With appreciation, Formal gratitude. Good after a reference, an introduction or a big favor.
19. With gratitude, Heartfelt. Suits thank-you notes to mentors and people who went out of their way.
20. Thanks for your help, Specific and sincere. Good for a support team or a colleague who unblocked you.
21. Thanks for your time, Ideal after a meeting, interview or long read.

Sign-offs when you need a response

These keep the focus on the reply you're waiting for. Pair them with a specific final line.

22. Looking forward to hearing from you, Polite and clear that you expect a reply.
23. Looking forward to your reply, Slightly more direct. Good for a proposal or quote.
24. Thanks in advance, Use only for small, routine requests. For bigger asks it can sound presumptuous.
25. Speak soon, Signals you expect to continue the conversation quickly.

Friendly sign-offs for coworkers

Use these with people you work with regularly.

26. Cheers, Casual and upbeat. Common in the UK and Australia, friendly anywhere.
27. Talk soon, For people you'll be in touch with again shortly.
28. Have a great weekend, Best on a Thursday or Friday.
29. Have a good one, Relaxed and friendly. For quick notes to colleagues.
30. See you there, For emails about a meeting, event or call you'll both attend.
31. Enjoy your day, Light and warm. Good for morning emails.
32. Onward, Upbeat and forward-looking. Works after a decision or at the start of a new phase.

Sign-offs for friends and family

Use these for personal email only.

33. Take care, Warm and caring. Works for friends and acquaintances.
34. Love, For family and close friends.
35. Hugs, Very warm and personal. Close friends and family only.
36. Catch you later, Casual and playful.
37. Miss you, For someone you haven't seen in a while.

Sign-offs for sensitive situations

Use these when the email carries difficult news or emotion.

38. With sympathy, For condolence messages.
39. Thinking of you, Gentle and personal. Good when someone is going through a hard time.
40. With apologies, When the email's purpose is to apologize. Keep the body specific about how you're fixing the problem.

Email ending sentences by situation

The final line matters as much as the sign-off. Here are ending sentences grouped by what you need. Pick one, then add a sign-off from the list above.

When you need a response

• "Could you let me know by [day] whether this works for you?"
• "Which option do you prefer, A or B?"
• "Can you confirm you received the attached files?"
• "If you're not the right person for this, could you point me to who is?"
• "A quick yes or no is all I need to move forward."

When sending a quote, report or attachment

• "I've attached the quote for [project]. It's valid until [date]."
• "The full report is attached. The summary on page one covers the key points."
• "Let me know if you'd like me to adjust anything before you share it with the team."
• "Happy to walk you through the numbers on a short call."

When writing to your boss or manager

• "I'll send you an update by end of day [day]."
• "Could you approve this by [day] so we can keep the timeline?"
• "Let me know if you'd like me to handle this differently."
• "I'm happy to discuss in our next one-on-one."

When following up after a meeting or call

• "Thanks again for your time today. I'll send the next steps by [day]."
• "Here's a recap of what we agreed. Let me know if I missed anything."
• "Looking forward to our next check-in on [date]."

When writing to a friend

• "Can't wait to catch up properly."
• "Let me know when you're free for coffee."
• "Say hi to everyone for me."
• "Good luck with [event]. Tell me how it goes!"

How to end an email that requires a response

Emails that end vaguely ("Let me know your thoughts") often go unanswered because the reader doesn't know exactly what you need. To get a reply:

• Ask one specific question as your final line.
• Give a date if timing matters, and say why.
• Make the answer easy, such as yes or no, or a choice between two options.
• Put nothing after the question except your sign-off and name.

Subject: Approval needed for [project] budget

Hi [Name],

The final budget for [project] is attached. It comes in at [$X], which is within the range we discussed last month.

Could you approve it by [day]? The vendor needs our sign-off by [date] to hold the start date.

Thanks,
[Your name]

Example emails with the right ending

Each example below shows a final line and sign-off matched to the situation.

Ending an email to your boss

Use this for a status update where you want your manager to know you're on top of it. For more examples, see our guide on how to write an email to your boss.

Subject: [Project] update: on track for [date]

Hi [Manager's name],

Quick update on [project]: the design is final, development is about [X]% done, and testing starts [day]. The only open item is [issue], which I'm resolving with [person].

I'll send another update on [day]. Let me know if you'd like anything handled differently.

Thanks,
[Your first name]

Ending an email when sending a quotation

Use this when you send a quote to a client and want a decision. Our guide on writing a quotation email has more templates.

Subject: Quotation for [product or service], [Company]

Hi [Client's name],

Thank you for your inquiry. Please find attached our quotation for [product or service], including pricing, delivery time and payment terms.

The quote is valid until [date]. If you'd like to go ahead, just reply to this email and I'll send the order confirmation the same day. Happy to answer any questions on a quick call.

Best regards,
[Your full name]
[Job title], [Company]
[Phone number] | [Website]

Ending a formal email

Use this for a job application, an official request, or any first contact where formality matters.

Subject: Application for [Job title], [Your full name]

Dear [Hiring manager's name],

Please find attached my resume and cover letter for the [Job title] position. I bring [number] years of experience in [field], most recently at [Company], where I [specific result].

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss the role further.

Sincerely,
[Your full name]
[Phone number]
[LinkedIn URL]

Ending an email to a friend

Use this for a personal note. For more relaxed examples, see our guide to informal emails.

Subject: Long time no see!

Hi [Friend's name],

It's been way too long. I heard you started the new job last month. How's it going so far? Things here are busy but good, and the kids are finally sleeping through the night.

Let me know when you're free for a call or coffee. I'd love to catch up properly.

Take care,
[Your first name]

Ending a cold email

Use this when you're contacting someone for the first time. Keep the ask small and the sign-off simple. Our cold email templates show full sequences.

Subject: Question about [their goal or topic]

Hi [Name],

I noticed [Company] is [specific observation, such as hiring three new sales reps]. We help teams like yours [specific outcome] without [common pain point].

Would it be worth a 15-minute call next week to see if it's a fit? If not, no worries at all.

Best,
[Your full name]
[Job title], [Company]

Ending a thank-you email

Use this after someone helped you, gave you their time, or made an introduction.

Subject: Thank you for the introduction

Hi [Name],

Thank you for introducing me to [Person]. We had a great call on [day] and are already planning next steps on [topic].

I really appreciate you thinking of me. If there's ever anything I can do for you, just ask.

With appreciation,
[Your name]

Ending an apology email

Use this when something went wrong and you want to close on what you're doing about it.

Subject: Your order [order number]

Hi [Customer's name],

I'm sorry your order arrived damaged. We've shipped a replacement today, and you'll receive tracking details within [number] hours. There's no need to return the damaged item.

If anything else isn't right, reply here and I'll take care of it personally.

With apologies,
[Your full name]
[Job title], [Company]

The worst ways to end an email

Some endings hurt more than they help. Here are the ones to drop.

"Sent from my iPhone"

Automatic device signatures add nothing and can make a work email look rushed. Turn them off in your phone's mail settings, or replace them with your name.

Abbreviations

"Rgds," "Thx," and "Ttyl" can look careless, and some readers won't know what they mean. Spell the sign-off out.

Overly familiar sign-offs at work

"Love," "XOXO," "Hugs," and "Kisses" belong in personal email. In work email, they can make the reader uncomfortable.

Submissive or vague phrases

"Remaining at your disposal" or "Hope to hear from you soon" sound passive and give the reader nothing to act on. Replace them with a specific question or next step.

Overly formal sign-offs in casual threads

"Respectfully yours," or "Yours faithfully," in a quick note to a coworker reads as stiff or even sarcastic. Match the formality of the thread.

No ending at all

An email that stops mid-thought, or ends with just an initial, can look abrupt, especially in a first contact. In a fast back-and-forth thread, dropping the sign-off is fine.

Stacking sign-offs

"Thanks so much! Best regards, Cheers," is too much. One final line and one sign-off is enough.

Tips for a strong email ending

Use your full name in a first email

Your full name helps the reader place you. Once you're on first-name terms, your first name alone is fine.

Keep your signature short

Include your title, company and one or two ways to reach you. Skip inspirational quotes, oversized logos and long disclaimers.

Use a P.S. sparingly

A one-line postscript below your signature can repeat a key detail, like a deadline or a link. One P.S. line is enough in work email.

Match your opening and ending

If you opened with "Dear Dr. [Last name]," end with "Sincerely," not "Cheers." Our guide on how to start an email helps you set the right tone from the first line.

Email ending checklist

Before you hit send, check that your email:

• Ends with one clear final line (a next step, question or thank-you)
• Uses a sign-off that matches your relationship with the reader
• Has a comma after the sign-off and your name on the next line
• Includes your full name and a short signature in a first email
• Contains no abbreviations, device signatures or overly familiar sign-offs in work email
• Uses only one sign-off