The Closing That Makes You Look Dated
You end every email with:
"Best Regards,"
Or worse:
"Respectfully Yours,"
Nobody writes like this anymore.
Your email closing affects how people perceive you: modern vs outdated, warm vs cold, professional vs overly formal.
The Most Common Email Closings, Ranked
✅ Safe & Professional
Best (simple, modern) Thanks (casual, grateful tone) Thanks, [Name] (most common in business)
✅ Good in Specific Contexts
Best regards (fine, but slightly formal) Regards (neutral, slightly cold) Cheers (casual, works in relaxed industries) All the best (warm, slightly personal)
⚠️ Use With Caution
Sincerely (very formal, use for official letters only) Warmly (too personal for most business contexts) Take care (casual, better for personal relationships)
❌ Avoid
Respectfully (outdated, too formal) Yours truly (sounds like 1950s letter) In gratitude (overly earnest) Blessings (too personal/religious for work)
How to Match Your Closing to Context
First Email to Someone → More Formal
✅ "Best regards" or "Best"
Establishes professional tone before you know their style.
Ongoing Conversation → Drop the Formality
✅ "Thanks" ✅ "Best" ✅ Or skip the closing entirely after 2-3 exchanges
Asking for a Favor → Show Gratitude
✅ "Thanks in advance" ✅ "Appreciate your help" ✅ "Thanks!"
Bad News or Difficult Topic → Stay Professional
✅ "Best" or "Regards"
Not the time for casual "Cheers."
Industry Matters
Corporate/Finance: "Best regards," "Regards" Tech/Startup: "Best," "Thanks," "Cheers" Creative/Agency: "Cheers," "Best," casual OK Legal/Government: "Sincerely," "Best regards"
When to Skip the Closing Entirely
After the 3rd reply in a quick back-and-forth:
Skip "Best" and just sign your name.
Or skip both and just send the message.
Example:
Got it, thanks!
(No closing needed)
For very short replies:
Yes, that works!
[Name]
Or even just:
Yes, that works!
(No signature needed in ongoing thread)
What Your Email Closing Says About You
| CLOSING | WHAT IT SIGNALS |
|---|---|
| Best | Professional, modern, neutral |
| Thanks | Grateful, friendly, collaborative |
| Regards | Formal, neutral, slightly cold |
| Best regards | Professional, traditional, safe |
| Sincerely | Very formal, official, dated |
| Cheers | Casual, friendly, relaxed industry |
| Warmly | Personal, warm, less formal |
| Respectfully | Outdated, overly formal, too much |
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1: Using "Sent from my iPhone"
Don't rely on auto-signature excusing typos.
Either:
- Proofread your mobile emails
- Or disable that signature
Mistake #2: Inconsistent Closings in Same Thread
Don't: First email: "Best regards" Second email: "Cheers" Third email: "Thanks"
Pick one tone and stick with it in that conversation.
Mistake #3: Overly Long Signatures
Bad signature block:
John Smith Senior Marketing Manager Company Name Phone | Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Website "Success is not final, failure is not fatal..." [3 more inspirational lines] [Company logo] Disclaimer: This email is confidential... [5 lines of legal text]
Good signature block:
John Smith Senior Marketing Manager, Company Name john@company.com | 555-0100
Keep it under 4 lines.
Mistake #4: Adding Personal Quotes
❌ "Dream big, work hard, stay humble" ❌ "Be the change you wish to see"
Most people find these cheesy in professional emails.
Exception: If you're in coaching/motivational field, might be on-brand.
Email Closing Quick Guide
Use "Thanks" When:
- Asking for something
- Someone helped you
- Acknowledging their response
- Most casual business emails
Use "Best" When:
- Neutral professional tone needed
- First contact
- Not asking for favors
- Safe default
Use "Regards" When:
- Slightly more formal needed
- External stakeholders
- Official communications
Use "Sincerely" When:
- Formal letters
- Legal correspondence
- Official complaints or grievances
Skip Closing When:
- Quick back-and-forth (after 3rd reply)
- Very short response
- Internal team Slack/chat
International Considerations
Some cultures are more formal:
- Japanese business: More formal closings
- German business: Traditional sign-offs
- British business: "Regards" more common
- American business: "Best," "Thanks" most common
When in doubt with international contacts: slightly more formal is safer.
The Evolution of Your Email Closing in a Relationship
Email 1 (First Contact):
Best regards, [Full Name] [Title, Company] [Contact info]
Email 5 (Getting Comfortable):
Best, [First Name]
Email 15 (Established Relationship):
Thanks, [First Name]
Email 30 (Quick Exchanges):
[Just your response, maybe name]
The 4 Tests for Email Closings
1. SIGNAL: Does this match the formality of my email?
Formal email = formal closing. Casual email = casual closing.
2. OPPORTUNITY: Does this sound professional for my industry?
"Cheers" in law firm = no. "Sincerely" in startup = too much.
3. RISK: Am I being too casual or too formal?
Know your audience and context.
4. AFFECT: How do I want them to feel?
Gratitude? Professionalism? Warmth?
Check Your Full Email
Not sure if your email closing fits?
Analyze your full email free with 4Angles →
Paste your email. See how it scores on:
- SIGNAL (Is your tone consistent?)
- OPPORTUNITY (Are you striking the right tone?)
- RISK (Are you too formal or casual?)
- AFFECT (How will they perceive you?)
No signup required. Just instant analysis.
Related Reading
- Your Subject Line Is Why Nobody Opens Your Email
- How to Introduce Yourself in an Email Without Being Boring
- Why Your Thank You Email Makes People Uncomfortable
About 4Angles: We analyze your writing from 4 psychological perspectives (Signal, Opportunity, Risk, Affect) to help you communicate with confidence. Free analysis available at 4angles.com.
Last Updated: 2025-10-28