Is 'Best' too casual for work email?

No - Best is one of the most widely used professional sign-offs and fits nearly all workplace email. For a first contact with a client or executive, step up to Best regards or Sincerely.

Should I use 'Thanks in advance'?

It's fine for small, routine asks, but some readers find it presumptuous for bigger requests because it assumes a yes. If the ask is significant, use Thank you for your time or Thanks for considering this instead.

Do I need a sign-off on every email?

Not always. First emails and formal messages should have one, but in a fast back-and-forth thread it's normal to drop the sign-off after the first exchange. When a thread ends, a brief Thanks again closes it politely.

How to end an email

The safest way to end a professional email is a short closing line, then Best regards, then your name. Best regards fits almost every situation. Use Sincerely for formal email, Best or Thanks for everyday work email, and Thank you for your understanding after bad news.

The ending is the last thing your reader sees, and the first thing that feels off when it doesn't match the message. Below are 40 sign-offs organized by situation, and a free tool that fixes your email's ending for you.

Formal sign-offs

For clients, senior leadership, cover letters, and anyone you don't know well.

Sincerely - The classic. Safe in any formal context.
Best regards - Formal but not stiff - the default for client email.
Kind regards - Slightly warmer than Best regards; common in the UK and Europe.
Regards - Neutral and brisk. Fine for routine business.
Respectfully - For senior leadership, officials, or formal disputes.
Yours faithfully - Very formal; traditionally when you don't know the recipient's name.
Yours truly - Formal and slightly old-fashioned; contracts and official letters.
With appreciation - Formal thanks without sounding effusive.

Friendly sign-offs

For teammates and people you email often.

Best - The everyday workhorse. Works almost anywhere.
Thanks - Simple and warm when any favor is involved.
Cheers - Casual and upbeat; common in UK and tech workplaces.
Talk soon - For ongoing back-and-forth conversations.
Have a great week - Friendly close for a Monday or Friday send.
Take care - Warm without being personal.
All the best - Friendly with a hint of formality.
Speak soon - When a call or meeting is coming up.

Warm sign-offs

When you want the ending to carry genuine warmth.

Warm regards - Professional warmth - good for long-standing contacts.
Warmly - Softer and more personal than Warm regards.
With gratitude - When someone genuinely helped you out.
Wishing you well - Kind close during a hard stretch.
Hope this helps - After sending advice, answers, or resources.
Have a wonderful day - Bright and friendly; customer-facing email.
My very best - Warm and slightly formal at once.
It was great to connect - After a first meeting or introduction.

After a request

When your email asks someone to do something.

Thanks in advance - Confident and common - use when the ask is small.
Thank you for your time - Respectful when the ask is bigger.
I appreciate your help - Warmer than a plain thanks.
Looking forward to hearing from you - Polite nudge for a reply.
Thanks for considering this - When the answer might be no.
Grateful for any guidance - When you're asking for advice.
Appreciate you taking a look - For review and feedback requests.
Many thanks - Brisk, warm, and slightly British.

After bad news

For apologies, rejections, delays, and difficult updates.

Thank you for your understanding - The standard close after a delay or change.
I appreciate your patience - When the problem isn't fixed yet.
With apologies - Brief, sincere close to an apology email.
Sorry again for the inconvenience - Customer-facing service recovery.
Thank you for bearing with us - During ongoing disruption.
With sincere apologies - For bigger mistakes that deserve weight.
Wishing you the best going forward - Rejections and goodbyes, kindly.
Here if you have any questions - Keeps the door open after hard news.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the best way to end a professional email?: A short closing line plus a sign-off and your name. Match the sign-off to the situation: Best regards or Sincerely for formal email, Best or Thanks for everyday work email, and Thank you for your understanding after bad news. When in doubt, Best regards is safe almost everywhere.
Is 'Best' too casual for work email?: No - Best is one of the most widely used professional sign-offs and fits nearly all workplace email. For a first contact with a client or executive, step up to Best regards or Sincerely.
Should I use 'Thanks in advance'?: It's fine for small, routine asks, but some readers find it presumptuous for bigger requests because it assumes a yes. If the ask is significant, use Thank you for your time or Thanks for considering this instead.
Do I need a sign-off on every email?: Not always. First emails and formal messages should have one, but in a fast back-and-forth thread it's normal to drop the sign-off after the first exchange. When a thread ends, a brief Thanks again closes it politely.