29 Professional Alternatives to "Best Regards"

Why "Best Regards" Deserves an Upgrade

"Best regards" is the khaki pants of email sign-offs. It is not wrong. It is never offensive. But it does absolutely nothing to leave an impression.

The problem is not that "best regards" is bad — it is that it is invisible. Recipients read past it the same way they read past "Sent from my iPhone." After hundreds of emails signed with the same two words, the closing becomes wallpaper rather than a final impression.

Your email sign-off is the last thing someone reads before they decide whether to reply, file, or forget. A well-chosen closing can reinforce your message, set the right tone, and even build rapport. The alternatives below give you options that fit every professional situation — from formal correspondence to quick internal messages.

29 Email Sign-Offs That Work Better Than "Best Regards"

Warm and Professional

1. "Warmly,"

One word that carries more warmth than "best regards" ever could. It works across most professional contexts and feels personal without crossing any boundaries.

2. "With appreciation,"

Best used when the email body included a request or when the recipient did something helpful. It ties the closing directly to gratitude.

Example: After receiving contract feedback — "Thanks for the thorough review. With appreciation, [Name]"

3. "Warm regards,"

A slight upgrade from "best regards" that feels more genuine. The word "warm" adds a human touch while maintaining full professionalism.

4. "With gratitude,"

Appropriate after someone has invested significant time or effort on your behalf. More impactful than "thanks" because it carries emotional weight.

5. "Kindly,"

Short and gentle. Common in British English business communication and increasingly popular globally. It signals politeness without formality.

Confident and Action-Oriented

6. "Looking forward to it,"

Energetic and forward-looking. Best used when the email discusses an upcoming meeting, collaboration, or next step.

7. "Talk soon,"

Implies continuity. It tells the recipient that the conversation is ongoing, which is particularly useful in sales and partnership contexts.

Example: After scheduling a demo — "Excited to show you the platform in action. Talk soon, [Name]"

8. "Onward,"

Crisp, confident, and slightly unconventional. Works well in entrepreneurial environments or when wrapping up a strategy discussion. It signals momentum.

9. "More to come,"

Creates anticipation. Use it when you are sending a partial update and plan to follow up with additional information.

10. "Let us make it happen,"

Collaborative and energizing. Best used after agreeing on a plan or next steps. It reinforces shared commitment.

11. "To your success,"

Positions you as someone invested in the recipient's outcome. Popular in coaching, consulting, and advisory relationships.

Formal and Traditional

12. "Respectfully,"

Appropriate for communication with senior executives, government officials, or formal business contexts. It carries weight without being stiff.

13. "Sincerely,"

Classic and universally understood. While some consider it dated, it remains the standard for formal letters, legal correspondence, and first-time outreach to high-level contacts.

14. "With respect,"

Slightly warmer than "respectfully" because it positions respect as something you are actively offering rather than a formality you are performing.

15. "Cordially,"

Formal but pleasant. It works well in industries where traditional business etiquette is valued — finance, law, and executive communication.

Example: In a formal proposal follow-up — "We look forward to your team's feedback on the enclosed terms. Cordially, [Name]"

16. "Very truly yours,"

The most formal option on this list. Reserve it for legal documents, official letters, or communication with dignitaries.

Casual and Personable

17. "Cheers,"

Widely used in international business communication, particularly in the UK, Australia, and tech companies. Light, friendly, and versatile.

18. "All the best,"

A slight variation on "best regards" that feels more personal. The word "all" amplifies the sentiment just enough to differentiate it.

19. "Take care,"

Genuine and human. It works particularly well at the end of a longer conversation or when the recipient mentioned being busy or stressed.

20. "Until next time,"

Creates a sense of ongoing relationship. Best used with contacts you interact with regularly. It assumes there will be a next time, which reinforces connection.

21. "Have a great [day/week/weekend],"

Simple and considerate. The specificity of mentioning the day or week makes it feel personal rather than formulaic.

Example: On a Friday afternoon — "Enjoy the presentations next week. Have a great weekend, [Name]"

22. "Thanks again,"

Short and effective when the email body already expressed gratitude. It reinforces the thank-you without overdoing it.

Context-Specific Closings

23. "Excited to see where this goes,"

Perfect for early-stage partnerships, new client relationships, or creative collaborations. It signals genuine interest and enthusiasm.

24. "Standing by if you need anything,"

Positions you as available and supportive. Useful in account management, customer success, and any role where responsiveness matters.

25. "Here if you need me,"

Warmer version of the above. The shorter structure and the word "me" make it feel more personal.

26. "Rooting for you,"

Appropriate in mentoring relationships, after coaching sessions, or when someone is about to face a challenge. It communicates genuine investment in the other person's outcome.

27. "In partnership,"

Ideal for ongoing business relationships where both parties contribute. It frames the relationship as collaborative rather than transactional.

Example: In a quarterly business review email — "Looking forward to a strong Q3 together. In partnership, [Name]"

28. "With confidence in our next steps,"

Forward-looking and optimistic. Best used after a productive meeting where clear action items were defined. It reinforces alignment.

29. "Wishing you a productive [day/week],"

Thoughtful and specific. It combines well-wishing with practicality, which is a combination that resonates in professional settings.

How to Match Your Sign-Off to the Situation

The right closing depends on three variables: the formality of the context, your relationship with the recipient, and the emotional tone of the email.

For first-time outreach to senior contacts, keep it formal: "Sincerely," "Respectfully," or "Cordially" are safe choices. For ongoing client relationships where you have established rapport, warmer options like "Looking forward to it" or "Talk soon" work well.

For internal communication, match the company culture. In a startup, "Cheers" and "Onward" feel natural. In a traditional enterprise, "Warm regards" or "With appreciation" strike the right balance.

One rule applies everywhere: your sign-off should not contradict your email's tone. A tense email about a missed deadline should not end with "Cheers." A celebratory email about a closed deal should not end with "Respectfully." Match the closing to the message. For more guidance on ending professional emails, the tone of your closing should always mirror the intent of your content.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using the same sign-off for every single email. If you default to "best regards" for everything, switching to a different default will not solve the problem. Vary your closings based on context.

Choosing a sign-off that is more casual than the email warrants. Ending a formal proposal with "Later!" undermines the entire message. When in doubt, err on the side of professionalism.

Adding unnecessary length. "With warmest regards and sincere appreciation for your continued partnership and collaboration" is not a sign-off — it is a sentence. Keep closings to 1-4 words.

Forgetting that the sign-off affects reply rates. Research suggests that emails ending with a gratitude-based closing ("thanks" or "with appreciation") receive higher response rates than those ending with neutral closings. When you want a reply, close with warmth. Understanding email etiquette helps you make these choices consistently.

FAQ

Is "best regards" outdated?

Not outdated, but overused. It remains perfectly acceptable in professional email. The issue is that it has become so common that it no longer carries any distinguishing value. Using a more specific closing makes your emails more memorable.

What is the safest sign-off for someone I have never emailed before?

"Sincerely" for formal contexts, "All the best" for professional but friendly contexts. Both are universally appropriate and carry zero risk of misinterpretation. This matters especially when you are following up on a cold email and first impressions are still forming.

Can my email sign-off really affect whether someone replies?

Yes. Studies have found that emails with gratitude-based closings see higher response rates than those with neutral or no closings. The sign-off is a subtle signal that can influence the recipient's impression and willingness to engage. The same research applies to email opening lines — both the beginning and end of your message shape the response.