Every email you send says something about you. The way you close a message shapes how you’re perceived — organized, thoughtful, rushed, or disengaged. A strong email ending leaves no doubt about your professionalism, your intent, and your respect for the reader’s time.
Still, many professionals rush through the final lines or skip a sign-off entirely. That can make a message feel abrupt or careless, even if the rest of it was well-written. The final words are what linger in someone’s inbox, so they deserve as much care as your greeting or subject line.
Here, you’ll learn how to end an email professionally across different situations — from job applications and client messages to everyday workplace communication. The sections below outline the best sign-offs to use, examples tailored to each scenario, and how to create an email signature that builds trust and credibility.
Professional email closings
A professional closing is clear, courteous, and matched to the tone of your message. It signals the end of your communication and subtly reinforces your relationship with the reader. The right closing shows confidence and respect without sounding overly formal.
Here are some of the best professional email sign-offs and how to use them effectively:
- Best regards: Safe and versatile. Works in almost every professional setting, from client introductions to follow-ups.
- Kind regards: Slightly warmer than “Best regards.” Use it when you want to sound approachable but still professional.
- Sincerely: Best for formal correspondence, job applications, or outreach to senior leaders.
- Warm regards: Adds a human touch to professional exchanges, especially with long-term clients or partners.
- Yours faithfully: Common in formal letters or traditional corporate settings, especially when you don’t know the recipient by name.
- Yours truly: Still formal, but softer. Often used in North American business writing.
Each closing line should feel intentional. If your message is formal, stick to traditional options. For ongoing client relationships or internal communication, a slightly friendlier tone is fine.
Read more: How to sign off an email: The best professional and polite closings
Polite and friendly email closings
Not every email needs a strict, formal ending. When writing to colleagues, partners, or customers you know well, a warmer tone helps you sound human and genuine.
Examples of polite and friendly closings include:
- Thanks again: Ideal after someone has helped you or provided information.
- Thanks in advance: Best if you’ve asked for something to be done by the recipient.
- Talk soon: Great for casual business relationships or ongoing collaborations.
- Cheers: Friendly and relaxed, often used in internal or team communication.
- Have a great day: Universal and positive. Works well in lighter exchanges or customer service messages.
And if you ever doubt the power of gratitude, data backs it up. A Boomerang study that analyzed over 350,000 emails found that messages ending with “Thanks in advance” received the highest response rate at 65.7%, followed by “Thanks” at 63%, and “Thank you” at 57.9%. Gratitude-based closings consistently encourage replies because they acknowledge effort and set a positive tone — something every professional exchange can benefit from.
The key is to stay professional while matching the relationship you have with the recipient. A casual “Cheers” may work for your design team but not for a potential investor. When in doubt, lean slightly formal. It’s easier to relax your tone later than to repair a first impression.
Dig deeper: How to start and email professionally: A comprehensive guide
Email closing examples by context
Different situations call for different endings. Here are examples of how to close emails effectively across common professional scenarios.
1. Job application or cover letter
Keep your tone polite, confident, and formal. Express gratitude and interest without overdoing it.
Example:
Thank you for considering my application. I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills could contribute to your team.
Sincerely,
Jordan Ellis
2. Client communication
When writing to clients, professionalism is key. You want to sound organized and attentive, without being overly stiff.
Example:
Please find the updated proposal attached. Let me know if there’s anything you’d like adjusted before we finalize it.
Best regards,
Taylor Morgan
3. Follow-ups
Follow-up emails should be courteous and concise. Acknowledge the delay or previous contact, and end with a gentle nudge toward action.
Example:
Just following up on my previous email to see if Wednesday still works for a quick call. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Alex Rivera
4. Networking or introductions
Networking emails should feel warm and personal. A friendly closing encourages future contact.
Example:
It was great connecting with you after the panel discussion. I’d love to stay in touch and hear more about your work with the startup community.
Warm regards,
Jamie Chen
5. Customer support or service
When ending support emails, gratitude and clarity go a long way. Keep it brief, helpful, and reassuring.
Example:
Your account settings have been updated as requested. Please let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help.
Have a great day,
Customer Support Team
Related read: How to write a format a professional email
What to avoid when ending an email
The right sign-off builds trust. The wrong one can leave a poor impression or confuse the tone. Here are common mistakes to avoid:
- Skipping the closing entirely: Ending abruptly makes your email feel unfinished or impatient.
- Using slang or emojis in professional settings: A casual “Thx” or smiley face might seem friendly but can read as unprofessional in business contexts.
- Being inconsistent with tone: If your email is formal, don’t end it with “Cheers.” Match your sign-off to the rest of your message.
- Leaving in “Sent from my iPhone”: It’s fine to send emails from your phone, but customize your mobile signature with your name and title.
- Ending without a clear next step: A polite closing line is best paired with a call to action. Example: “Looking forward to your thoughts” or “Please confirm by Friday.”
Weak closing:
Let me know.
Sent from my iPhone
Stronger closing:
Please let me know by Friday if this works for your team.
Kind regards,
Dana Patel
How to add an email signature in Gmail and Outlook
A professional signature shows credibility and helps recipients find your contact information easily. It also adds a consistent finish to every message you send.
Your signature should include:
- Your full name
- Job title
- Company name
- Contact details (email and phone number)
- Optional: company logo or website link
How to add an email signature in Gmail
- Open Gmail and click the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner.
- Select See all settings.
- Scroll to the Signature section.
- Click Create new, then type or paste your signature.
- Use the formatting tools to adjust font, links, or images.
- Choose whether to include the signature for new emails and replies.
- Click Save Changes at the bottom.
How to add an email signature in Outlook
- Open Outlook and go to File > Options > Mail.
- Select Signatures.
- Click New and give your signature a name.
- Add your information and format as desired.
- Under Choose default signature, assign it to your email account.
- Select whether it appears in new messages, replies, or both.
- Click OK to save.
Every email you send shapes how others see you — whether you’re closing a deal, following up with a client, or applying for a new role. The way you end that message can leave a lasting impression. A clear, polite sign-off shows confidence and respect, while a rushed or inconsistent one can weaken the tone of an otherwise strong email.
Fyxer helps you make that last line count. It organizes your inbox, drafts your replies, and keeps your communication consistent and professional, so you never have to second-guess how to close an email again. Save time on admin, focus on the conversations that move work forward, and let Fyxer handle the rest.
Professional email ending FAQs
What is the most professional way to end an email?
“Best regards” and “Sincerely” are the safest options. They convey respect and are accepted across industries and levels of formality. Use them when you want to leave a professional impression without guessing the recipient’s preferred tone. They work well in first-time introductions, job applications, and formal correspondence.
Is “Thanks” too casual for business emails?
Not necessarily. “Thanks” is fine when you’re acknowledging someone’s help or cooperation. Just avoid overusing it in every message, or it can lose impact. If you’re expressing genuine appreciation, a simple “Thanks again” or “Many thanks” adds warmth without sacrificing professionalism.
Should I use my full name in every signature?
Yes. Always include your full professional name and job title in emails. It looks credible and helps recipients identify you easily. You don’t need to use your full legal or “government” name, just the version you’re known by in your work.
If you use your middle name or initial professionally, include it. If you go by a shorter name like Maddy instead of Madeleine, use that for consistency. For client-facing roles or formal communication, adding your company name and contact details reinforces trust and makes follow-ups effortless.
How do I sign off emails to clients?
We recommend using “Best regards,” “Kind regards,” or “Warm regards.” These sound polished and friendly without being too familiar. If you’ve built a long-term relationship, a slightly more personal touch such as “Thanks again” or “Appreciate your time” can help maintain rapport while staying professional.
What are examples of bad email endings?
Avoid sign-offs like “Later,” “Peace,” or “Thx.” They might be fine for personal messages, but they undermine your professionalism in a business context. Also steer clear of overly emotional or quirky endings — they can make your tone confusing or diminish your authority. Keep it consistent, concise, and aligned with your purpose.