105 Alternatives to “Best Regards” for Your Email Sign-Off

Are you getting tired of typing up “best regards” at the end of every email you send? It’s not that there’s anything wrong with a classic email closing, but sometimes it can be too non-specific and repetitive, so finding an alternative for “best regards” might come as a good idea.

In this handy guide, you’ll learn what “best regards” means, when to use it, and alternatives that might be a better email closing sign off depending on who you’re speaking with. Plus, we’ve included many great examples of informal and friendly alternatives to end an email. Let’s dive in!

The Meaning Of “Best Regards” In The Email

One of the most popular ways to sign off an email is with the phrase “Best regards.” Essentially, saying One of the most popular ways to sign off an email is with the phrase “Best regards.” Essentially, saying “best regards” is a shortened version of saying “I wish you the best.” It’s a general and respectful way to end an email without assuming anything about your relationship or setting any expectations other than “goodbye.” 

“Best regards” is a neutral sentiment that communicates that you appreciate the person you are addressing without coming on too strong. Think of it as giving a handshake instead of a hug. It’s the perfect sign-off for professionals familiar with their clients but not well-acquainted with them yet. 

There are several situations where you might opt to use “best regards” over another valediction. For example, you can use “best regards” as a sign-off when:

• Emailing current clients
• Speaking to vendors with whom you have built a rapport already
• Communicating with prospects that you have engaged in regular conversation with
• Reaching out to coworkers and colleagues across your organization
• Any time that the other party sets a casual tone with you over email

Many professionals use “best regards” through email. But is it really necessary to use a closing email phrase if you are familiar with whom you are speaking?

When to Use Best Regards in Email

Using “Best regards” in emails is often considered a polite and professional way to conclude your message. It conveys respect while maintaining a degree of formality, making it suitable for various types of communication.

However, its usage can sometimes feel overly formal, especially if you have an established relationship with the recipient. Thus, evaluating the context of your email is crucial to deciding whether this phrase is the best fit.

For professional or business-related emails, “Best regards” is often a safe and versatile choice. It strikes a balance between being courteous and maintaining professionalism, which is ideal for interactions with clients, vendors, or coworkers you might not know well. If the tone of your email or your working relationship requires formal decorum, this phrase can effectively reflect your professionalism.

On the other hand, in cases where you have built a familiar relationship with the recipient, a less formal closing might better fit the tone of the conversation. Alternatives such as “Kind regards,” “Warm regards,” or even “Thanks” may feel more personable while still being polite. Matching the tone of your closing to the overall nature of your message ensures consistency in your communication.

Ultimately, the decision to use “Best regards” or an alternative lies in your judgment and familiarity with the recipient. If you are unsure about the tone to set, erring on the side of formality with “Best regards” is often a safe and universally accepted option. Adjusting your closing based on the context ensures that your emails remain professional yet approachable, regardless of the relationship you have with the other party.

Do You Really Need a Closing Email Phrase?

Think about the last few emails you sent, or maybe take a quick peek through your Sent folder. Do you use a closing email phrase? What does that closing email phrase say about you? How might your recipients perceive that closing phrase? 

If these answers aren’t aligned with your conversations and goals with clients, colleagues, and others, you may need to consider using a different closing phrase at the end of your emails.

A good closing can capture your reader’s attention and make them feel good about sending you a timely response. Using a closing email phrase ensures that your message has a clear format, and it can set the tone for the conversation. 

Plus, it’s easy to set up email signatures using today’s most popular email platforms. According to a recent survey, 80% of respondents reported that they preferred using Gmail as their primary email provider. With Gmail, you can set up business email signatures that include a valediction at the end of each email. You can also use Wisestamp as your email signature management tool to make your Gmail sign-off even more impactful.

What Can We Use Instead of “Best Regards”?

There are many ways to sign off on an email, but there are a couple of phrases to say goodbye that are most popular. 

“Kind regards” and “warm regards” are two alternative versions of “best regards” that sound similar but convey a slightly different message. “Kind regards” is a more formal version, while “warm regards” tends to be a more familiar way to end an email.

When to Use “Warm Regards”

There are several instances where using “Warm Regards” as an email “Best Regards” alternative might be a good idea. Here are some signature examples where “Warm Regards” could work:

• Correspondence between friends or family members
• In communication with team members whom you work with closely
• Sending a message to a colleague that you are friends with outside of work

Generally, though, “Best regards” is a safe way to end an email, whether you are speaking to colleagues, higher-ups, or friends. But just because it’s a safe bet, it doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it forever. Read on to find out more examples for “Best Regards” alternatives.

Various Official “Best Regards” Alternatives

Various Informal “Best Regards” Alternatives

After building a working relationship, you may feel like you can speak in a more friendly manner in your emails. If “best regards” is starting to feel a bit too formal for some of your email recipients.

Ways to End an Email With Appreciation

In addition to less formal valedictions for the workplace, there is also a time and place for appreciative closing email phrases. Sometimes you just want people to know that you see how hard they are working. And in the US, saying “thank you” to someone is key to sustaining relationships. 

Friendly Manner To Close The Email

Adding a Dynamic “Best Regards” GIF to Your Signature

If you’re like most professionals in today’s connected business environment, you send dozens of emails daily. Imagine what it would be like if you had a professional email sign-off template that you could use. What if you could say “Best Regards” with a GIF?

WiseStamp enables workers to add a premade sign-off GIF to the end of every email. That way, you can say whatever you want with a dynamic signature that is still professional and high-quality.

How to Add a Dynamic “Best Regards” to Outlook 

Adding a dynamic “Best Regards” to Outlook helps personalize your emails while maintaining professionalism. Here’s how you can do it step by step:   

1. Open Outlook and go to “File” > “Options” 
2. Select “Mail” and then click on “Signatures” 
3. Create a new signature, and add “Best Regards” along with any additional details you’d like to include
4. Use placeholders or dynamic content options (if supported) to personalize the signature for different email recipients
5. Save your signature and assign it to your email account

Want to make it even easier? Here’s a quick tutorial on how to add an email signature in Outlook with WiseStamp, hassle-free.

How to Add a Dynamic “Best Regards” to Gmail 

Gmail allows you to set up a smart signature with a dynamic “Best Regards” to enhance your email communication. Follow these steps: 

1. Open Gmail and click on the gear icon to access “Settings“
2. Under the “General” tab, scroll down to the “Signature” section
3. Create or edit your signature, adding a “Best Regards” sign-off along with your name and any relevant details
4. Use tools or integrations that support dynamic content to customize your signature for various recipients
5. Save your changes and start using your new signature

For a seamless solution, here’s a quick rundown on how to add an email signature in Gmail, with WiseStamp.

Do You (Really) Need to Use a Closing Phrase for All the Emails?

Although a closing phrase is seen as proper email etiquette, there are occasions when you may not need a closing email phrase at all. 

Here are some examples of situations where you may not need a closing email phrase:

• If you are close to the recipient in your personal life
• When responding to email conversations with a lot of regular back and forth
• When you work closely with someone on a daily basis
• When sending brief, informal updates or acknowledgments 
• If the email thread is extremely short and casual in tone 
• When the final message includes a clear directive or conclusion 
• If the recipient prefers minimal communication etiquette in professional exchanges

Sending Your Best Wishes in an Email Sign-Off

Using a business email address to communicate internally and with customers gives brands a unique opportunity. Email signature branding integrates email banner design, functionality, and even marketing opportunities. So it’s important to use the right salutation at the end of your emails to ensure that you are giving off the right tone according to your audience. 

If you’re still having trouble deciding which closing email phrase to use, here is one last piece of advice:

When in doubt, match your recipient’s tone. 

For example, if they say “sincerely,” use another official phrase such as “respectfully.” Or, if their salutation seems more friendly, feel free to close your email with “cheers” or “talk to you soon.” The key is to establish a consistent and authentic voice with every interaction. Take advantage of a captive audience with a great closing email phrase.

At the end of the day,  the most important thing is to be genuine and sincere in your email communication. Remember to always proofread your emails before sending them, as small details such as typos or grammar mistakes can affect how your message is received.

In addition, don’t be afraid to use some creativity in your closing phrase. Instead of sticking to traditional formal phrases, you can personalize it according to the conversation or topic at hand. This shows that you value the relationship with your recipient and adds a personal touch to your email.

Lastly, consider incorporating a call-to-action in your closing phrase. This encourages the recipient to take action or respond back, ensuring a timely and efficient exchange of information. A well-designed email signature can be a great way to draw attention to your organization’s campaigns and messages in a clean, engaging way (and the best news is that with WiseStamp email signature templates, creating your own is as easy as coloring in the lines of your favorite book).