Professional Email Sign-Off Examples: 100+ Ways to End an Email
Your email sign-off is the last thing your recipient reads before they decide whether to respond. The right closing sets the tone, signals your relationship with the recipient, and reflects your professionalism. Here are 100+ professional email sign-off examples — organized by context and formality.
Quick tip: A sign-off is different from an email signature. Your sign-off is the closing word or phrase (e.g., “Best regards”). Your email signature is the formatted block with your name, title, and contact details that follows it. Both matter — but they serve different purposes.
Universally Professional
“Best regards”
The gold standard. Safe for any professional context.
“Kind regards”
Slightly warmer than 'Best regards'. Popular in UK business culture.
“Many thanks”
When you're thanking someone. More personal than 'Best regards'.
“Thank you”
Simple and genuine. Works when you're making a request.
“Best”
Efficient and professional. Common in fast-paced industries like tech and media.
“Regards”
No-frills professional. More formal than 'Best'.
“With appreciation”
Warmer than 'Regards', appropriate after someone has helped you.
“With thanks”
Slightly more formal version of 'Thanks' — works in any context.
Formal Sign-Offs
“Yours sincerely”
For formal letters and emails when you know the recipient's name (UK convention).
“Yours faithfully”
For formal correspondence when you don't know the recipient's name (UK: Dear Sir/Madam).
“Respectfully”
For emails to senior officials, government bodies, or very formal contexts.
“Respectfully yours”
More deferential — appropriate for official requests or applications.
“With respect”
When addressing someone in a position of significant authority.
“Sincerely”
American English equivalent of 'Yours sincerely'. Standard for formal US business letters.
“Sincerely yours”
Slightly more formal version of 'Sincerely'.
“Cordially”
Formal but warm. Used in invitations and official correspondence.
Casual & Friendly
“Thanks!”
Casual, warm, and upbeat. Fine for colleagues and established contacts.
“Cheers”
Informal and friendly. Common in UK/Australian workplaces. Avoid in formal contexts.
“Talk soon”
Implies follow-up. Use when you genuinely expect to speak again shortly.
“Take care”
Warm and personal. Good for people you know well.
“Looking forward to connecting”
After a first introduction or networking email.
“Speak soon”
Implies a phone call or meeting is expected soon.
“Until next time”
Casual sign-off after a meeting or event.
Situation-Specific
“Looking forward to hearing from you”
When awaiting a response. Sets a clear expectation without being demanding.
“Please don't hesitate to reach out”
After providing help or information — invites further questions.
“Let me know if you have any questions”
After a detailed explanation or proposal.
“I look forward to our meeting”
Before a scheduled meeting or call.
“Happy to discuss further”
After a proposal or pitch — signals openness to negotiation.
“Wishing you a great weekend”
Friday afternoon emails. Sets a friendly tone.
“Hope this helps”
After answering a question or providing information.
“With excitement”
When sharing genuinely exciting news or a new project.
Academic & Research
“Best wishes”
Warm but professional. Widely used in academic settings.
“With collegial regards”
Between academic peers — signals professional respect.
“Yours truly”
Formal academic correspondence.
“In solidarity”
Common in social sciences and activist academic communities.
Sign-Offs to Avoid (and Why)
“Love / Lots of love”
Entirely inappropriate in professional emails unless you know the person very well.
“XOXO”
Overly personal — reserved for close friends and family.
“Yours”
Too intimate in a professional context.
“Ciao”
Can come across as trying too hard, and culturally jarring in non-Italian contexts.
“Peace / Peace out”
Too casual for virtually any professional context.
“Thx”
Abbreviations read as lazy. Write 'Thanks' in full.
“Sent from my iPhone”
The default mobile signature. Delete it — it signals lack of attention to detail.
“(No sign-off at all)”
Ending an email abruptly without a closing makes you seem cold or rushed.
How to Choose the Right Email Sign-Off
Match formality to your relationship
First email to a senior executive → 'Kind regards' or 'Yours sincerely'. Reply to a colleague you talk to daily → 'Thanks' or 'Cheers' is fine.
Consider the subject matter
If you're delivering bad news or making a serious request, a formal closing signals you understand the gravity. Casual sign-offs in serious contexts can feel dismissive.
Be consistent
Pick one or two sign-offs and use them consistently. Switching between wildly different closings makes you seem inconsistent.
Don't overthink it
'Best regards' works in almost any professional situation. If you're uncertain, default to it.
Related
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