In professional communication, confirming the receipt of an email shows attentiveness, accountability, and respect for the sender’s message. Whether you’re acknowledging a job application, confirming a client request, or simply letting someone know their email reached you, a clear and polite confirmation builds trust.
Here, we’ll show you how to confirm receipt of an email, walk through examples for different situations, and give you templates you can adapt to your own workplace.
Why confirming receipt matters
A confirm receipt email reassures the sender that their message was received by email and won’t be overlooked. In many workplaces, inboxes are crowded and requests get lost. A quick acknowledgement of receipt shows you’re organized, reliable, and ready to take responsibility.
It also sets expectations: if you need time to review, you can state when you’ll follow up. If you don’t have an immediate answer, you still maintain professional courtesy by acknowledging receipt of the message.
How to confirm receipt of an email
A good confirmation doesn’t need long explanations or formalities. It’s about showing the sender you’ve seen their message and you’re on top of it. Think of it as closing the loop quickly so they don’t have to wonder.
Here are some key elements to include in your email confirmation of receipt:
- Subject line: Keep it straightforward so the recipient knows exactly what your email is about at a glance. “Confirmation of Receipt” or “Acknowledgement of Your Email” works better than anything vague or clever. Clear subjects get opened faster and leave no room for misinterpretation.
- Acknowledgement: State directly that the message has been received by email. Phrases like “I confirm receipt of your email” or “I acknowledge receipt of your message regarding [topic]” are short, confident, and leave no ambiguity.
- Context/next steps: Point to the subject of the email and explain what you’ll do with it. That might be reviewing a file, sharing it with the team, or replying in detail by a certain date. This step shows you’ve read the message carefully and gives the sender confidence you’ll handle it.
- Closing: Finish with a polite, professional sign-off. There’s no need to add filler or over-explain. A simple “Best regards” or “Thank you” keeps the tone respectful and efficient.
Templates to confirm receipt of an email
The right template saves time and removes uncertainty. Whether you need something formal, quick, or tailored to a specific situation, these examples cover the main scenarios. You can copy them as they are or adapt them to match your tone and role.
1. Basic version of how to confirm receipt of an email
Subject: Confirmation of Receipt
Hi [Recipient’s Name],
I confirm that I have received your email regarding [topic]. Thank you for sharing this information. I will review it and get back to you by [timeframe].
Best regards,
[Your Name]
2. Formal confirmation
Subject: Acknowledgement of Receipt
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I acknowledge receipt of your email regarding the updated contract. Thank you for sharing this with me. I will review the details and provide my response by Thursday.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
3. Informal confirmation
Subject: Got your email
Hi [Recipient’s Name],
Got your email — thanks for sending this over. I’ll take a look and get back to you soon.
Best,
[Your Name]
4. Detailed confirmation
Subject: Receipt of Proposal
Hi [Recipient’s Name],
Thank you for your email regarding the proposal. I confirm receipt and will circulate this to the team for review. We’ll provide detailed feedback by next Monday.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
5. Short confirmation
Subject: Received
Hi [Recipient’s Name],
Received — thank you.
Best,
[Your Name]
6. Job application confirmation
Subject: Application Received
Dear [Candidate’s Name],
I acknowledge receipt of your application for the [Job Title] position. Our HR team will review your documents and contact you with next steps shortly.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Job Title]
7. Acknowledgement of meeting request
Subject: Meeting Request Received
Hi [Recipient’s Name],
I confirm receipt of your meeting request for [date/time]. I’ll check my calendar and confirm availability shortly.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
8. Client inquiry confirmation
Subject: Confirmation of Request
Hi [Client’s Name],
I confirm receipt of your request regarding [topic]. I’ll prepare the necessary details and follow up by the end of the day.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
9. Internal team confirmation
Subject: Received and Acknowledged
Hi [Team Member’s Name],
Received and acknowledged — thanks for sending this over. I’ll review it and get back to you if anything further is needed.
Best,
[Your Name]
10. Acknowledgement of received documents
Subject: Documents Received
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I acknowledge receipt of the documents you sent regarding [topic]. Thank you for sharing them. I will review and follow up with any questions by [timeframe].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
11. Acknowledgement of payment received
Subject: Payment Confirmation
Hi [Client’s Name],
I confirm receipt of your payment of [amount] for [service/product]. Thank you — your account is now updated, and we’ll proceed with the next steps as agreed.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
12. Acknowledgement of complaint or issue
Subject: Acknowledgement of Your Concern
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I confirm receipt of your email regarding [issue/concern]. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I’m reviewing the details and will provide you with an update by [timeframe].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
13. Acknowledgement of interview scheduling
Subject: Interview Confirmation
Dear [Candidate’s Name],
I confirm receipt of your availability for the interview scheduled on [date/time]. Please let me know if you need any further details in advance.
Best regards,
[Your Name] [Job Title]
Tips for a confirming receipt email
When writing an acknowledgement mail, the goal is to reassure the sender and keep communication moving smoothly. A confirmation doesn’t need to be long, but it does need to be useful. Keep these points in mind:
- Be concise: Most confirmations can be wrapped up in one or two sentences. You don’t need to rewrite the original email — just show you’ve received it and know what comes next.
- Match tone to context: Use formal phrasing with clients, leadership, or HR, and keep it friendlier with close colleagues. The tone should reflect the relationship and the importance of the message.
- Respond quickly: Same-day acknowledgement builds trust. Even if you can’t give a full answer yet, a quick “received” keeps the sender from chasing you for updates.
- Stay clear: Avoid vague replies like “Noted” or “Okay” that leave the sender unsure what you mean. Tie your acknowledgement to the subject or task so it’s clear you’ve understood.
- Confirm action: If the email requires a response or task, confirm when you’ll handle it. A line like “I’ll review and reply by Friday” sets expectations and shows accountability.
- Keep it professional: Even in informal exchanges, a polite sign-off goes a long way. It maintains credibility and keeps your response aligned with workplace standards.
- Use subject lines wisely: In busy inboxes, a clear subject such as “Confirmation of Receipt” or “Documents Received” saves time for both you and the sender.
Professional situations where confirming receipt is essential
Not every email needs a reply, but some do. In moments where accountability matters, sending a quick confirmed receipt email removes uncertainty and keeps work moving. Here are the situations where an acknowledgement adds real value:
- Contracts, proposals, or invoices: These documents carry financial and legal weight. Confirming you’ve received them shows attention to detail and reassures the sender that nothing has gone missing.
- Time-sensitive client or manager requests: When timing is critical, a short confirmation tells the sender you’re on it. Even before you take action, they know their request has reached the right person.
- Job applications or candidate materials: Acknowledging receipt of applications sets a professional tone with candidates and avoids unnecessary follow-ups asking if their documents arrived.
- Delegated tasks or project handovers: When responsibilities shift, an acknowledgement email makes ownership clear. It confirms you’re aware of what’s been passed to you and when you’ll start.
- Official updates from HR or leadership: Announcements about policy changes, compliance, or company direction often require acknowledgement. A quick reply shows you’ve read and understood the message.
In each of these scenarios, an acknowledgement of receipt isn’t just polite. It saves the sender from chasing, reduces misunderstandings, and builds professional trust across teams and clients.
Confirming receipt email FAQs
How do you politely confirm receipt of an email?
Politeness in this context comes from being clear, respectful, and efficient. A simple line like “I confirm receipt of your email. Thank you for sending it.” gets the job done without unnecessary detail. You can also add a brief note on next steps — for example, when you’ll reply or review — to show you’ve not only received the message but are acting on it.
What’s the difference between acknowledging and confirming receipt?
Both terms show that an email has reached you, but the nuance lies in tone. “Acknowledging receipt” is typically used in formal or legal settings, where a record of acceptance is important. “Confirming receipt” is more neutral, making it a good choice for everyday workplace communication with colleagues, managers, or clients. Choosing the right phrasing signals the level of formality you want to convey.
Can I just say “Received”?
Yes, you can, and in fast-paced environments a one-word reply is sometimes enough. But in most professional settings, adding a little context makes your response more useful. A line like “Received — I’ll review and reply by tomorrow” confirms not only that the email reached you, but also what the sender can expect next. It shows reliability without taking more than a few extra seconds to write.
Is it unprofessional to use informal replies like “Got it”?
It depends on the audience. For clients or managers, keep it polite and professional. For teammates you work closely with, “Got it” is often acceptable.
When should I confirm receipt of an email?
Send a confirmation any time the sender needs to know their message landed safely — for example, when dealing with contracts, applications, client requests, or official company updates. These moments often carry deadlines or important next steps, so a quick acknowledgement prevents confusion. It shows you’re attentive, organized, and respectful of the sender’s time.