How to Write an Informal Email (Format and 14 Examples)

To write an informal email, use a casual subject line, greet the person by first name ("Hi Sam,"), and write the way you'd talk to them: short sentences, everyday words and a friendly tone. Get to your point in the first few lines, then close with a warm line and a relaxed sign-off like "Talk soon," or "Cheers," followed by your first name.

Informal emails are what you send to friends, family and coworkers you know well. They have fewer rules than formal emails, but they still need to be clear.

Quick template

Use this structure for almost any informal email.

Subject: [Short, casual subject, e.g. "Dinner on Saturday?"]

Hi [First name],

Hope you're doing well! [One friendly line, e.g. "How was the trip?"]

[Main reason you're writing, in two or three short sentences.]

[Any question or next step, e.g. "Let me know if Saturday works for you."]

Talk soon,
[Your first name]

What is an informal email?

An informal email is a relaxed, personal message with a conversational tone and a loose structure. It reads more like a chat than a letter.

You send informal emails to friends, family, classmates and colleagues you have a casual relationship with. Contractions, short sentences, exclamation marks and even the odd joke are fine. Slang and abbreviations can work with close friends, but skip them if you're not sure the reader will get them.

Informal vs formal email

The main differences are in the greeting, tone, vocabulary and sign-off. If you need the formal version, see our guide on how to write a formal email.

When to use an informal email

• Keeping in touch: catching up with friends, sharing news, or just saying hello.
• Making plans: inviting people to a party, dinner, game night or team lunch.
• Saying thanks: thanking a friend or coworker for a favor.
• Quick work questions: asking a teammate you know well about something minor.
• Replying to a casual email: match the tone the other person used.
• School writing tasks: many English exams ask students to write an informal email to a friend.

When in doubt, mirror the other person. If your manager writes "Hey, quick one," you can reply casually. If a new client writes "Dear [Name]," stay formal until they relax the tone.

Informal email format

Subject line

Keep it short and natural. It should tell the person what the email is about, just in a friendly way.

• Long time no see!
• Weekend plans?
• Quick update from me
• Thanks for Saturday
• Are you free Friday?
• Question about the trip

Greeting

Use the person's first name. Forget "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To whom it may concern."

• Hi [first name],
• Hey [first name],
• Hello [first name],
• Hi everyone, / Hey team,

With close friends and family, nicknames ("Hey buddy," "Hi sis,") are fine.

Opening line

A short, friendly opener makes the email feel personal. For more ideas, browse our list of email opening sentences.

• Hope you're doing well!
• How's everything going?
• It's been way too long!
• Hope you had a great weekend.
• Thanks for your email, it was great to hear from you.
• I just saw [thing] and thought of you.

Body

• Write like you talk. Read it out loud. If it sounds stiff, loosen it up.
• Keep paragraphs short. Two or three sentences each.
• Add a personal detail. A quick story or shared memory makes the email feel real.
• Stay clear. Casual doesn't mean vague. Make sure the reader knows what you need or what you're sharing.
• Go easy on emojis and exclamation marks. One or two can add warmth; a dozen is hard to read.

Closing line and sign-off

End with a friendly line, then a casual sign-off and your first name.

Closing lines:

• Looking forward to our lunch.
• Keep me posted on how things are going.
• Can't wait to hear all about your trip.
• Good luck with the big move!
• Let me know if you need anything else.
• Enjoy your weekend, and see you at the game!

Sign-offs:

• Cheers,
• Talk soon,
• Take care,
• See you soon,
• Best,
• Love, (family and close friends only)

For more options, see our guide on how to end an email.

14 informal email examples

Each example below is ready to adapt. Replace everything in [square brackets] and change the details so it sounds like you.

1. Informal email to a friend you haven't talked to in a while

Use this to reconnect with an old friend. Mention a shared memory so it feels personal.

Subject: Blast from the past: how've you been?

Hey [Friend's name],

I was scrolling through old photos yesterday and found the ones from our trip to [place]. Remember [funny moment]? I couldn't stop laughing.

It made me realize how long it's been since we properly caught up. How's everything going? Work, family, any new adventures?

Let's not leave it this long again. Are you free for a call sometime next week?

Talk soon,
[Your name]

2. Informal email to a friend about your holiday (student example)

Use this for school writing tasks that ask you to tell a friend about a trip or recent event.

Subject: Back from [place]!

Hi [Friend's name],

Thanks for your last email. Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I've just got back from a week in [place] with my family!

It was amazing. We stayed in a small hotel near the beach, and every morning we went swimming before breakfast. The best day was when we [activity], although I was terrified at first. The food was great too, especially [dish].

How about you? Did you do anything fun over the break? You should come with us next year if you can.

Write back soon,
[Your name]

3. Informal email inviting a friend to a party (student example)

Use this for an invitation to a birthday, party or event. Include the date, time, place and what to bring.

Subject: Party at my place on Saturday!

Hi [Friend's name],

Guess what? I'm having a birthday party next Saturday, [date], and I'd love you to come!

It starts at 7 p.m. at my house ([address]). My parents are making their famous [dish], and we're going to play games and watch a movie later. You don't need to bring anything, but if you have any good music, bring it along.

Can you let me know by Wednesday if you can make it? It wouldn't be the same without you.

See you soon,
[Your name]

4. Informal email giving a friend advice (student example)

Use this when a task asks you to reply to a friend who wants your opinion or advice.

Subject: Re: Need your advice!

Hi [Friend's name],

Thanks for your email. I'm sorry to hear you're feeling stressed about [situation]. I've been there too, so here's what helped me.

First, I'd talk to [person] about it. They'll probably be more understanding than you think. Second, try making a simple plan so it feels less overwhelming. And don't forget to take breaks and do something you enjoy.

I'm sure it'll all work out. Let me know how it goes, and call me if you want to talk.

Take care,
[Your name]

5. How to accept an invitation informally

Use this to say yes to a party, dinner or event from a friend or coworker. If the invitation is for a work meeting, see our templates for replying to a meeting invitation.

Subject: Re: Dinner on Friday

Hi [Name],

Thanks so much for the invite. I'd love to come!

Friday at [time] works perfectly. Can I bring anything? I'm happy to make dessert or grab drinks on the way.

Looking forward to it,
[Your name]

6. How to confirm a meeting informally

Use this to confirm a coffee, call or catch-up with someone you know.

Subject: Still on for Thursday?

Hi [Name],

Just confirming we're still on for coffee on Thursday at [time] at [place].

Let me know if anything changes on your end. Otherwise, see you there!

Cheers,
[Your name]

7. Informal email asking for information

Use this to ask a friend, classmate or friendly colleague a quick question.

Subject: Quick question about [topic]

Hi [Name],

Hope your week's going well! Quick question: do you know [what you need to know, e.g. "what time the workshop starts on Saturday and whether we need to bring laptops"]?

No rush, just whenever you get a chance. Thanks a lot!

[Your name]

8. Inviting colleagues to a casual social event

Use this for a team lunch, after-work drinks or a get-together. Make it easy to reply yes or no.

Subject: Pizza and games this Friday?

Hi team,

I thought it would be fun to hang out outside the office for a change. How about a casual evening at my place this Friday, [date], from [time]?

We'll order pizza and bring out some board games. Feel free to bring a snack or a favorite game if you like.

Just reply with a yes or no by Wednesday so I know how much food to order.

Cheers,
[Your name]

9. Semi-informal email to a professor

Use this when your professor is relaxed about email tone. Keep it friendly but respectful.

Subject: Question about [topic] from Tuesday's lecture

Hi Professor [Last name],

I really enjoyed Tuesday's lecture on [topic]. You mentioned [specific point], and I'd like to understand it better.

Would you have a few minutes after class this week, or during office hours, to talk it through?

Thanks for making the class so interesting.

Best,
[Your name]
[Course name and section]

10. Replying to a personal email from a coworker

Use this to respond warmly when a coworker reaches out about something outside work.

Subject: Re: Weekend hike

Hey [Coworker's name],

Thanks for thinking of me! The trail you mentioned sounds great, and I've been wanting to get outside more.

Count me in for Saturday. Should we meet at the trailhead at [time], or do you want to carpool?

Looking forward to it,
[Your name]

11. Thanking a friend

Use this to thank a friend for a favor or help. Be specific about what they did. For more ideas, see our thank you email examples.

Subject: Big thank you!

Hi [Friend's name],

I just wanted to say thanks again for [what they did, e.g. "helping me move last weekend"]. Honestly, I couldn't have done it without you.

Let me buy you dinner next week to say thanks properly. Are you free [day]?

Thanks again,
[Your name]

12. Asking a close colleague for a favor

Use this to ask a friendly coworker for help. Explain why and offer to return the favor.

Subject: A little help tomorrow?

Hey [Colleague's name],

Something's come up and I can't make tomorrow's [meeting name] at [time]. Would you be able to cover for me and take a few notes?

I'll send you the agenda tonight and fill you in on anything you need. And I owe you one, so just let me know when I can return the favor.

Thanks a million,
[Your name]

13. Informal project update to your team

Use this to keep a friendly team in the loop. Keep it upbeat but clear about what happens next.

Subject: Quick update on [project]

Hi team,

Wanted to keep everyone in the loop: I've finished my part of [project] and handed it over to [person or team].

Next up:
- [Person] is working on [task], due [date]
- We'll review everything together on [day]

Great work so far, everyone. Shout if you need anything from me.

Cheers,
[Your name]

14. Following up with someone you met at an event

Use this to follow up with a new contact after a networking event, conference or meetup.

Subject: Great meeting you at [event name]

Hi [Contact's name],

It was great chatting with you at [event name]. I really enjoyed our conversation about [topic], especially your point about [detail].

I'd love to keep the conversation going. Are you up for a coffee next week, or a quick video call if that's easier?

Hope to talk soon,
[Your name]

Tips for writing informal emails (especially for students)

If you're writing an informal email for an English class or exam, examiners usually look for a few things:

• Answer every point in the task. If the prompt asks you to describe, invite and suggest, do all three.
• Use an informal greeting and sign-off. "Hi [name]," and "Write back soon," or "See you soon," are safe choices.
• Use contractions and phrasal verbs. "I'm," "can't," "get back," "catch up."
• Open by responding to their message. "Thanks for your email, it was great to hear from you."
• Organize it into paragraphs. Opening, one paragraph per main point, then a closing line.
• Stick to the word limit given in the task.

Mistakes to avoid

• Too casual for the reader. Slang and jokes that work with a best friend can confuse a coworker.
• No clear point. Even a chatty email should make it obvious what you're sharing or asking.
• Walls of text. Break long updates into short paragraphs.
• Too many emojis or exclamation marks. A little goes a long way.
• Forgetting to proofread. Informal is not the same as careless.
• Wrong recipient. Double-check before you send a personal email from your work account.

Informal email checklist

• Casual, clear subject line
• First-name greeting
• Friendly opening line
• Main point within the first few sentences
• Short paragraphs in a conversational tone
• Clear question or next step, if you need one
• Warm closing line and casual sign-off
• Quick proofread