Looking for alternatives to “best regards”? Here are 5 powerful options: sincerely, yours faithfully, with appreciation, warm wishes, and respectfully. These alternatives help you close emails with the right tone for any professional situation.
Email closings might seem small, but they leave a lasting impression on your readers. “Best regards” is undoubtedly one of the most common email sign-offs, but relying on it for every message can make your communication feel robotic and impersonal. Knowing alternatives to “best regards” allows you to tailor your tone to each recipient and situation.
Learning to use varied email closings demonstrates emotional intelligence and professional awareness. By expanding your email vocabulary with alternatives to “best regards,” you can express excitement in English more effectively and show appropriate respect for your readers. These small but significant changes will elevate your professional communication.
Quick Categories
Formal Alternatives to “Best Regards”
- Yours sincerely
- Yours faithfully
- Respectfully
- With respect
- Most sincerely
Professional Alternatives
- With appreciation
- With gratitude
- Kind regards
- Warm regards
- Many thanks
Casual Alternatives
- All the best
- Best wishes
- Warmly
- Cheers
- Take care
Email-Specific Expressions
- Looking forward to your reply
- Thank you for your time
- I appreciate your consideration
- Until next time
What Does “Best Regards” Mean?
Best regards is a semi-formal email closing used to express goodwill and respect toward the recipient. It combines “regards” (meaning thoughts or attention) with the superlative “best” to indicate your positive feelings toward the person you’re writing to.
As an email sign-off, “best regards” is versatile enough for most professional situations but formal enough to maintain appropriate boundaries.
Example: “Thank you for considering my application. Best regards, James Wilson”
When to Use “Best Regards”
- First-time professional contacts – establishing rapport with new connections
- Business correspondence – communicating with clients or partners
- Job applications – following up after interviews
- Internal workplace emails – communicating with colleagues
- Networking messages – building professional relationships
Spoken vs Written
- Spoken: Rarely used in speech, primarily a written email closing
- Written: Very common in email, letters, and formal messages
Formal vs Informal
- Formal: Acceptable in most business contexts
- Informal: Can feel too formal for close colleagues or friends
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “Best Regards”?
Saying “best regards” is both polite and professional in most business contexts. However, in very formal situations or when you want to express stronger appreciation, you may want to use more specific alternatives.
Professional Example: “Thank you for your valuable time and consideration. Best regards, Sarah Chen”
| Aspect | Rating |
|---|---|
| Polite? | ✔️ Yes |
| Professional? | ✔️ Yes (in most cases) |
Common Mistakes Using “Best Regards”
1. Using “best regards” in very formal legal documents
Mistake: “Best regards” at the end of a legal contract
Correction: Use “Yours faithfully” or “Respectfully”
2. Using “best regards” when you’ve never met the person
Mistake: Sending “Best regards” to a CEO you’ve never spoken with
Correction: Use “Yours sincerely” for formal first contacts
3. Using “best regards” in emotional or personal contexts
Mistake: Ending a condolence email with “Best regards”
Correction: Use “With deepest sympathy” or “Warmly”
4. Capitalizing both words incorrectly
Mistake: “Best Regards” (too formal) or “best regards” (too casual)
Correction: Use “Best regards” with only the first word capitalized
5. Using “best regards” when “thank you” is more appropriate
Mistake: “Best regards” after someone has done you a significant favor
Correction: Use “With gratitude” or “Many thanks”
Pros and Cons of Using “Best Regards”
Pros
- Safe choice – Rarely inappropriate in professional settings
- Widely accepted – Recognized by all English-speaking professionals
- Neutral tone – Doesn’t show excessive emotion or formality
- Easy to understand – Works with any email content
Cons
- Overused – Can feel like a default rather than thoughtful closing
- Generic – Doesn’t express specific feelings or appreciation
- Lacks warmth – Can feel cold in relationship-building contexts
- Impersonal – May not build rapport with recipients
Other Ways to Say “Best Regards” (With Examples)
These alternatives will help you close emails with the perfect tone for every situation. Use them according to your relationship with the recipient, the email content, and your desired impression.
Formal Alternatives
1. Phrase: Yours sincerely
Meaning: Formal closing when you know the recipient’s name.
Explanation: Traditional formal closing for letters and emails in British English.
Example: “I look forward to discussing this opportunity further. Yours sincerely, Dr. Michael Brown”
Best Use: Formal letters
Worst Use: Casual emails
Tone: Formal, respectful
Context Variability: Formal writing: “Yours sincerely” when addressing a specific person.
2. Phrase: Yours faithfully
Meaning: Formal closing when you don’t know the recipient’s name.
Explanation: Traditional formal closing for letters beginning with “Dear Sir” or “Dear Madam.”
Example: “I would appreciate your consideration of this matter. Yours faithfully, David Chen”
Best Use: Formal inquiries
Worst Use: Emails to known contacts
Tone: Very formal, proper
Context Variability: Formal writing: “Yours faithfully” when using “Dear Sir/Madam.”
3. Phrase: Respectfully
Meaning: Expressing deep respect and deference.
Explanation: Formal closing showing honor and submission to authority.
Example: “I trust you will give this matter your careful attention. Respectfully, Amanda Lee”
Best Use: Authority figures
Worst Use: Colleagues or friends
Tone: Deferential, formal
Context Variability: Professional: “Respectfully” when writing to judges or senior officials.
4. Phrase: With respect
Meaning: Showing consideration while maintaining boundaries.
Explanation: Formal closing that acknowledges the recipient’s position.
Example: “We appreciate your guidance on this project. With respect, John Stevens”
Best Use: Professional deference
Worst Use: Casual communication
Tone: Formal, courteous
Context Variability: Professional: “With respect” in sensitive business communications.
5. Phrase: Most sincerely
Meaning: Extremely genuine and formal.
Explanation: Intensified version of “sincerely” showing deep genuineness.
Example: “I want to express my deepest appreciation. Most sincerely, Patricia Wright”
Best Use: Very formal situations
Worst Use: Daily emails
Tone: Very formal, emotional
Context Variability: Formal writing: “Most sincerely” in official correspondence.
6. Phrase: With profound respect
Meaning: Showing the highest level of deference.
Explanation: Extremely formal closing for distinguished recipients.
Example: “We are honored by your consideration. With profound respect, Robert Tanaka”
Best Use: Very distinguished figures
Worst Use: Regular colleagues
Tone: Highly formal, reverent
Context Variability: Formal: “With profound respect” for ambassadors or royalty.
Pro Tips Box for Formal Alternatives
Use formal email closings when writing to government officials, legal professionals, or in formal job applications. These alternatives to “best regards” demonstrate proper etiquette and respect for authority figures.
Professional Alternatives
7. Phrase: With appreciation
Meaning: Expressing gratitude and recognition.
Explanation: Professional closing showing you value the recipient’s efforts.
Example: “Thank you for your guidance throughout this process. With appreciation, Susan Park”
Best Use: Thank-you emails
Worst Use: Routine daily updates
Tone: Grateful, professional
Context Variability: Professional: “With appreciation” after receiving help or support.
8. Phrase: With gratitude
Meaning: Expressing deep thanks.
Explanation: Professional closing for situations where you’re truly thankful.
Example: “Your support has been invaluable. With gratitude, Michael Rodriguez”
Best Use: Significant favors
Worst Use: Standard business emails
Tone: Thankful, professional
Context Variability: Professional: “With gratitude” for important assistance or opportunities.
9. Phrase: Kind regards
Meaning: A warmer version of “best regards.”
Explanation: Professional closing with a slightly friendlier tone.
Example: “I look forward to working with you on this project. Kind regards, Emma Thompson”
Best Use: Professional relationships
Worst Use: Very formal situations
Tone: Friendly, professional
Context Variability: Professional: “Kind regards” for ongoing business relationships.
10. Phrase: Warm regards
Meaning: A genuinely friendly professional closing.
Explanation: Professional closing showing personal warmth while maintaining professionalism.
Example: “It was a pleasure meeting you at the conference. Warm regards, James Anderson”
Best Use: Positive relationships
Worst Use: Formal complaints
Tone: Warm, professional
Context Variability: Professional: “Warm regards” for friendly professional contacts.
11. Phrase: Many thanks
Meaning: Expressing strong appreciation.
Explanation: Professional closing that emphasizes gratitude.
Example: “I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Many thanks, Lisa Wang”
Best Use: Assistance requests
Worst Use: Neutral business updates
Tone: Grateful, professional
Context Variability: Professional: “Many thanks” when requesting help or favors.
12. Phrase: With sincere appreciation
Meaning: Extremely genuine professional gratitude.
Explanation: Intensified professional closing showing deep thankfulness.
Example: “Your support has been instrumental in our success. With sincere appreciation, David Kim”
Best Use: Important contributions
Worst Use: Routine emails
Tone: Very grateful, professional
Context Variability: Professional: “With sincere appreciation” for major assistance.
13. Phrase: Gratefully
Meaning: Expressing thankfulness in a professional way.
Explanation: Concise professional closing showing appreciation.
Example: “Thank you for considering my proposal. Gratefully, Maria Sanchez”
Best Use: Professional gratitude
Worst Use: Routine communications
Tone: Thankful, concise
Context Variability: Professional: “Gratefully” in short thank-you responses.
Pro Tips Box for Professional Alternatives
In workplace emails, choose “with appreciation” or “kind regards” for standard business communication. For more formal documents, “sincerely” remains the safest and most widely accepted option.
Casual Alternatives
14. Phrase: All the best
Meaning: Expressing good wishes for the future.
Explanation: Friendly closing suitable for most casual professional contexts.
Example: “Good luck with your new position! All the best, Rachel Green”
Best Use: Future plans
Worst Use: Formal business
Tone: Friendly, optimistic
Context Variability: Casual: “All the best” for friends and acquaintances.
15. Phrase: Best wishes
Meaning: Sending positive thoughts to the recipient.
Explanation: Warm casual closing appropriate for many situations.
Example: “I hope everything goes well with your presentation. Best wishes, Tom Harris”
Best Use: General goodwill
Worst Use: Business disputes
Tone: Warm, casual
Context Variability: Casual: “Best wishes” for friendly correspondence.
16. Phrase: Warmly
Meaning: Expressing genuine warmth and friendliness.
Explanation: Casual closing showing personal warmth and connection.
Example: “It was wonderful catching up with you. Warmly, Jennifer Lopez”
Best Use: Personal relationships
Worst Use: Formal business
Tone: Warm, personal
Context Variability: Casual: “Warmly” for friends and family.
17. Phrase: Cheers
Meaning: Friendly, light-hearted closing.
Explanation: Very casual closing, common in British and Australian English.
Example: “Thanks for your quick response! Cheers, Mark Bennett”
Best Use: Informal settings
Worst Use: Professional contexts
Tone: Casual, friendly
Context Variability: Very casual: “Cheers” for colleagues you know well.
18. Phrase: Take care
Meaning: Showing concern for someone’s wellbeing.
Explanation: Personal casual closing expressing care.
Example: “Stay safe and hope to see you soon. Take care, Karen Miller”
Best Use: Personal connections
Worst Use: Business interactions
Tone: Caring, casual
Context Variability: Casual: “Take care” for friends and close colleagues.
19. Phrase: Until next time
Meaning: Looking forward to future contact.
Explanation: Casual closing that anticipates continued relationship.
Example: “I’ll keep you updated on our progress. Until next time, Peter Zhang”
Best Use: Ongoing relationships
Worst Use: Formal letters
Tone: Friendly, anticipatory
Context Variability: Casual: “Until next time” for regular contacts.
20. Phrase: Yours
Meaning: Simple, friendly closing.
Explanation: Shortened version of traditional closings, now used casually.
Example: “Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Yours, Fiona Black”
Best Use: Friendly emails
Worst Use: Professional documents
Tone: Friendly, abbreviated
Context Variability: Casual: “Yours” for close professional contacts.
21. Phrase: With love
Meaning: Expressing affection and care.
Explanation: Personal closing reserved for family and very close friends.
Example: “I can’t wait to see you this weekend. With love, Sarah Johnson”
Best Use: Family and partners
Worst Use: Any professional context
Tone: Affectionate, personal
Context Variability: Very personal: “With love” for intimate relationships.
22. Phrase: In friendship
Meaning: Expressing friendship and connection.
Explanation: Warm closing for personal and friendly relationships.
Example: “It’s always a pleasure to hear from you. In friendship, David Roberts”
Best Use: Friends and acquaintances
Worst Use: Professional contexts
Tone: Friendly, personal
Context Variability: Personal: “In friendship” for close friends.
23. Phrase: Hugs
Meaning: Expressing affection and warmth.
Explanation: Very casual, intimate closing for close relationships.
Example: “Can’t wait to catch up properly. Hugs, Megan Thompson”
Best Use: Very close friends
Worst Use: Any professional setting
Tone: Affectionate, casual
Context Variability: Very personal: “Hugs” only for close relationships.
24. Phrase: Talk soon
Meaning: Expressing expectation of continued contact.
Explanation: Casual closing indicating future communication.
Example: “Let’s touch base again next week. Talk soon, Daniel Lee”
Best Use: Regular contacts
Worst Use: Official communication
Tone: Casual, anticipatory
Context Variability: Casual: “Talk soon” for frequent correspondents.
25. Phrase: Lots of love
Meaning: Expressing deep affection.
Explanation: Intimate casual closing for family and very close friends.
Example: “I miss you and can’t wait to be home. Lots of love, Emma Williams”
Best Use: Family members
Worst Use: Any professional context
Tone: Affectionate, personal
Context Variability: Very personal: “Lots of love” only for intimate relationships.
Pro Tips Box for Casual Alternatives
Use casual closings when emailing friends, family, or colleagues you know extremely well. These informal expressions in English add personality and warmth to your communication, but avoid them in formal business contexts.
Email-Specific Expressions
26. Phrase: Looking forward to your reply
Meaning: Expressing expectation of a response.
Explanation: Action-oriented closing showing anticipation.
Example: “I would appreciate your feedback on my proposal. Looking forward to your reply, Alex Turner”
Best Use: Requesting response
Worst Use: Informational emails
Tone: Anticipatory, professional
Context Variability: Professional: “Looking forward to your reply” when expecting action.
27. Phrase: Thank you for your time
Meaning: Appreciating the recipient’s attention.
Explanation: Professional closing showing respect for the reader’s time.
Example: “I know you’re very busy, and I appreciate your attention. Thank you for your time, Laura Bennett”
Best Use: Busy recipients
Worst Use: Routine emails
Tone: Respectful, professional
Context Variability: Professional: “Thank you for your time” for important correspondence.
28. Phrase: I appreciate your consideration
Meaning: Thanking someone for thoughtful attention.
Explanation: Professional closing for applications or proposals.
Example: “Thank you for reviewing my application. I appreciate your consideration, Michael O’Brien”
Best Use: Applications, proposals
Worst Use: Routine business
Tone: Formal, thankful
Context Variability: Professional: “I appreciate your consideration” in job applications.
29. Phrase: Until we speak again
Meaning: Anticipating future contact.
Explanation: Professional closing for ongoing communications.
Example: “I’ll follow up with you after the holidays. Until we speak again, Caroline Schmidt”
Best Use: Ongoing relationships
Worst Use: Formal letters
Tone: Anticipatory, professional
Context Variability: Professional: “Until we speak again” for regular contacts.
30. Phrase: In anticipation of your response
Meaning: Formally waiting for a reply.
Explanation: Very formal closing showing expectation of a response.
Example: “We await your decision with interest. In anticipation of your response, The Selection Committee”
Best Use: Formal requests
Worst Use: Casual communication
Tone: Very formal, expectant
Context Variability: Formal: “In anticipation of your response” for official communication.
Pro Tips Box for Email-Specific Expressions
Action-oriented closings work best when you need a specific outcome from your email. These professional reaction phrases help guide the recipient toward the desired response while maintaining professionalism.
Comparison Table: Top Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Yours sincerely | Formal | Letters with named recipient |
| Respectfully | Formal | Authority figures |
| With appreciation | Professional | Thank-you emails |
| Kind regards | Professional | Business relationships |
| Warm regards | Professional | Positive professional contacts |
| All the best | Casual | General goodwill |
| Best wishes | Casual | Friendly correspondence |
| Cheers | Casual | Informal colleagues |
| Looking forward to your reply | Professional | Action-oriented emails |
| Thank you for your time | Professional | Busy recipients |
Mini Quiz / Self-Check
1. Which closing is most appropriate for a formal job application?
a) Cheers
b) Yours sincerely
c) All the best
d) Hugs
Answer: b) Yours sincerely
2. Which closing should you use when writing to a judge or official?
a) Warm regards
b) Respectfully
c) Take care
d) Best wishes
Answer: b) Respectfully
3. Which closing is too casual for a first-time professional contact?
a) Yours sincerely
b) With appreciation
c) Cheers
d) Kind regards
Answer: c) Cheers
4. Which closing expresses the most gratitude?
a) Best regards
b) All the best
c) With sincere appreciation
d) Warmly
Answer: c) With sincere appreciation
FAQs
1. What is the most professional alternative to “best regards”?
“Yours sincerely” is the most professional alternative for formal correspondence. For standard business emails, “With appreciation” or “Kind regards” work well as professional alternatives to “best regards.”
2. When should I use “best regards” vs “sincerely”?
Use “best regards” for standard business emails and “sincerely” for formal letters or legal documents. “Sincerely” is more formal and appropriate for official correspondence, while “best regards” works for everyday professional communication.
3. Can I use “cheers” in a professional email?
Only in very casual professional contexts, such as with close colleagues you know well. In most business situations, “cheers” is too informal and may be seen as unprofessional.
4. What’s the difference between “kind regards” and “warm regards”?
“Kind regards” is more standard and professional, while “warm regards” has a warmer, more personal tone. Use “kind regards” for general business communication and “warm regards” when you want to show extra friendliness.
5. Should I always use a closing in professional emails?
Yes, a closing in professional emails shows good etiquette and signals the end of your message. It demonstrates professionalism and respect for the recipient, even in brief communications.
Conclusion
Mastering alternatives to “best regards” is a simple yet powerful way to elevate your professional communication. The right email closing can strengthen relationships, show appropriate respect, and leave a lasting positive impression on your recipients. By varying your closings, you demonstrate emotional intelligence and attention to detail.
Practice using different closings based on your relationship with the recipient and the context of your message. Soon, choosing the perfect email closing will become second nature, and your professional communication will be more effective and engaging. Remember, small changes in your language can make a big difference in how others perceive you.
