Professional Email Sign Off | Examples & Formality

Professional email sign-offs are the fixed phrases you put before your name at the end of an email for work or business. They often come after a closing line like “Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.”

Choosing the right professional email sign-off is part of good email etiquette and can be tricky—especially when you’re emailing someone for the first time (e.g., introducing yourself in an email) or starting a job in a new industry where you’re not yet sure how formal the communication style should be.

Professional email sign-off examples

How to sign off a professional email

There are many ways to sign off a professional email—from traditional letter valedictions like “Sincerely,” to more modern, friendly closings such as “Have a great weekend.” Below, you’ll find lists of frequently used professional sign-offs, grouped by context.

Standard professional sign-offs

The following phrases are commonly used, neutral, professional sign-offs that strike a respectful tone but don’t come across as overly formal or old-fashioned. They’re safe options if you’re not sure how formal you should be:

• Best regards,
• Kind regards,
• Regards,

These sign-offs retain a formal tone but are good alternatives if you want to be a bit less formal—if you’re emailing someone you correspond with regularly, for example:

• Best,
• Warm regards,
• All the best,

Signing off with a closing line

If you work in an industry where communication is generally less formal and you already have an established relationship with the colleague or business partner you’re emailing, it’s perfectly acceptable to skip the sign-off and end with a closing line instead. For example:

• Thanks in advance,
• Looking forward to seeing you [at the convention, next week, etc.],
• Have a good weekend,
• Let me know if you have any questions,

Sign-offs that say thanks

Saying “thanks” is a common way to sign off a professional email to someone you already know, particularly when you’re making a request. The following words of appreciation work well as neutral, professional email sign-offs:

• Thank you in advance,
• With appreciation,
• Many thanks,
• With thanks,

Formal professional sign-offs

If you want to strike a clear, formal tone (e.g., when ending a cover letter), you can use a traditional letter valediction, like:

• Sincerely,
• Sincerely yours,
• Yours truly,
• Respectfully,

Frequently asked questions about professional email sign-offs

How do I end an email to a professor?

When ending an email to a professor, take a more formal approach, especially when interacting with the person for the first time.

First, be sure to clearly indicate any actions you would like the professor to take. The purpose of your email and what you expect from the professor should be clear.

Then, there are a number of sign-offs you can use to end the email, such as:

• Sincerely
• Best regards
• Kind regards

Avoid using overly informal language like slang or “Cheers.”

Try QuillBot’s rephraser to vary your writing.

Is it your’s truly or yours truly?

It’s “yours truly,” with no apostrophe. This is a common way to end an email or letter.

People sometimes mix up yours and your’s. “Yours” is the possessive pronoun and is the correct spelling. “Your’s” is always incorrect.

Use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to make sure you avoid this common mistake and others like it.

Is it best regard or best regards?

Best regards is the correct form of this email sign-off. It is respectful and semiformal, so it is suitable for both personal emails as well as professional emails to people you are familiar with.

“Best regard” is incorrect; the plural “regards” is always used in this expression.

What is a complimentary close?

A complimentary close comes directly before your signature and/or name in a letter (e.g., “Sincerely yours,”). They’re usually followed by a comma.

If writing a formal letter, check for any guidelines about how to sign off. For example, modern cover letter format says to follow your complimentary close with a comma and typed name, but other types of letters may require a signature.

Choose a complimentary close that’s appropriate for the tone of your letter. For example, “See you soon” is fine in an email to a friend, but isn’t appropriate for a cover letter, where “Best regards” is a better option.

A QuillBot grammar check can make sure your complimentary close is spelled correctly.

How do I sign off a cover letter?

Sign off a cover letter with a complimentary close (e.g., “Regards” or “Sincerely yours”) on a line after your conclusion. Place a comma after the complimentary close. On the next line, type your full name.

You can also add one blank space between “Sincerely” and your name when you end a cover letter.

Have you tried QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker for your cover letter or resume? It will automatically find and fix mistakes so that you can make the best possible impression.