Short answer: A good email closing line is one short sentence that tells the reader what happens next, such as "Could you send the figures by Thursday?" or "Thanks again for your help with this." Follow it with a sign-off that matches the tone (Best regards, Thanks, Kind regards) and your name. Formal emails get a formal close, quick notes to colleagues can be casual, and anything with a request should end on that request, not on a vague pleasantry.
Closing line, sign-off and signature: three different things
People mix these up, so here's how the end of an email breaks down:
- The closing line is the last sentence of the message itself. It wraps up, thanks the reader or asks for the next step.
- The sign-off is the word or phrase before your name: Best regards, Thanks, Cheers.
- The signature is the block under your name with your job title, company and contact details.
The closing line does the most work. Readers skim, and the last sentence is often the one they act on.
How to pick the right closing line
Three quick questions settle most cases:
- Do you need something? Then end with the request and, ideally, a date. "Please let me know by Friday whether the 10 a.m. slot works" gets more replies than "Looking forward to hearing from you."
- How well do you know them? A hiring manager or a new client gets a formal close. A teammate you message every day doesn't.
- What did the rest of the email sound like? The close should match. A formal email ending in "Cheers!" reads oddly, and so does a two-line note ending in "I remain at your disposal."
Professional email closing lines
Safe for clients, managers, recruiters and anyone you don't know well:
- Thank you for your time and consideration.
- I look forward to your reply.
- Please let me know if you have any questions.
- I appreciate your help with this.
- Let me know if you need anything else from me.
- I'm happy to discuss this further on a call.
- Thank you in advance for your help. (Some readers find this a little presumptuous, so save it for routine requests.)
Closing lines for common situations
| Situation | Closing line |
|---|---|
| Job application | Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the chance to discuss the role. |
| After an interview | Thanks again for your time today. I enjoyed learning more about the team. |
| Following up | Just checking whether you have had a chance to look at this. Happy to resend anything. |
| Asking for something | Could you send this over by Wednesday? That gives me time to finish the report. |
| Sharing information | Hope this helps. Let me know if anything is unclear. |
| Saying thank you | Thanks again. This made a real difference. |
| Scheduling | Does Tuesday at 2 p.m. or Thursday at 11 a.m. work better for you? |
| Sales or outreach | Would a 15-minute call next week be useful? |
Notice that most of these give the reader something easy to answer. A specific question or option almost always beats an open-ended "let me know your thoughts."
Casual email closing lines
Fine for colleagues you know, friends and family:
- Thanks!
- Have a great weekend.
- Hope this helps.
- Talk soon.
- Shout if you need anything.
Email sign-offs
After the closing line comes the sign-off. Some reliable choices:
| Tone | Sign-offs |
|---|---|
| Formal | Sincerely, Respectfully, Kind regards, Best regards |
| Neutral, works almost anywhere | Best, Regards, Thank you, Many thanks |
| Casual | Thanks, Cheers, Take care, See you soon |
"Sincerely" now feels most at home in cover letters and formal letters. "Best" and "Best regards" are the safe defaults for work email. "Cheers" is friendly, but it reads differently from country to country, so think twice before using it with someone you've never met.
Closing lines to avoid
- Vague endings on emails that need a reply. "Thoughts?" or "Let me know" leaves the reader to work out what you want.
- Long, stacked closings. Three sentences of thanks and well-wishes dilute the actual request.
- Overly familiar sign-offs in formal mail. "Love," "XOXO," "Peace" or "Thanks a bunch" don't belong in a message to a client or a hiring manager.
- No closing at all. Ending abruptly after the last fact can read as curt, even when it isn't meant to.
- Passive-aggressive phrases. "As per my last email" or "Per my previous message" rarely gets the result you want.
Don't forget the signature
Under the sign-off, a short signature saves the reader from hunting for your details: full name, job title, company and one or two ways to reach you. Keep it to a few lines, and skip the inspirational quotes. If you use Gmail, here's how to add a signature in Gmail. Closing lines are only one part of a good email; our guide to writing professional emails covers subject lines, structure and openings too.
Getting help with the wording
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Frequently asked questions
What is a good closing sentence for an email?
One that tells the reader what to do next or thanks them for something specific. "Could you confirm by Friday?" or "Thanks for sorting this out so quickly" both work better than a generic "Looking forward to hearing from you."
What is the most professional way to end an email?
A clear closing line, then "Best regards" or "Kind regards," your full name and a short signature. It suits almost any work email, from a first contact to a client update.
Is "Thanks in advance" rude?
Not rude, but some people find it presumptuous because it assumes they'll say yes. It's fine for routine requests. For a bigger favour, "I'd really appreciate your help with this" is softer.
Should I use "Cheers" in a work email?
With colleagues who already write that way, sure. With a new contact, a neutral "Best" or "Thanks" is the safer choice.
What's the difference between a closing line and a sign-off?
The closing line is the last sentence of the email, such as a request or a thank-you. The sign-off is the short phrase before your name, like "Best regards."