30 Other Ways to Say Best Regards: Professional and Polite Alternatives (2026)

If you have ever stared at the end of a work email and wondered whether “Best regards” is the right closing, you are not alone. Finding other ways to say best regards is one of the most common email-writing searches, because the sign-off you choose quietly shapes how the reader sees you: polite or distant, warm or robotic, confident or unsure. This guide gives you 30 professional alternatives to “best regards,” grouped by tone and context, each with a real example sentence, plus ready-to-use email templates, a comparison table, common mistakes, and answers to the questions people ask most.

What Does “Best Regards” Mean?

“Best regards” is a polite, semi-formal way to close a letter or email. Literally, it means “I send you my best wishes” or “with my kindest thoughts.” It sits in the middle of the formality scale: warmer than “Sincerely” but cooler than “Warmly,” more personal than “Regards” but less stiff than “Respectfully.”

The tone is courteous and neutral, which is exactly why it became the default closing in business emails around the world. Its purpose is simple: end the message on a respectful note without claiming closeness you do not have. Emotionally, it says, “I respect you and I wish you well,” without emotional intensity.

Examples in context:

• “Thank you for your time today. Best regards, Maya“
• “Please find the updated report attached. Best regards, Daniel“

The phrase works because it is safe. But “safe” is also its weakness. When every email in a thread ends with “Best regards,” the closing stops meaning anything and starts sounding like a habit. That is why professionals keep a small set of warm alternatives ready: the right sign-off can make a thank-you feel warmer, a follow-up feel lighter, or a first introduction feel more intentional.

When to Use “Best Regards” in Professional Communication

“Best regards” is appropriate in most standard business emails: messages to colleagues you know moderately well, clients you work with regularly, vendors, and professional contacts. It fits everyday workplace situations such as status updates, meeting confirmations, document sharing, and polite requests.

It is less appropriate in two directions. For very formal situations (job applications, legal correspondence, messages to senior executives you have never met), a stronger closing such as “Respectfully” or “Sincerely” carries more weight. For warm, relationship-driven messages (thank-you notes, introductions, networking), something warmer such as “Warm regards” or “With appreciation” feels more human.

In customer service and client-facing roles, the closing is part of the brand. A client who reads a careful, personalized sign-off feels the difference, especially when the rest of the message already includes a thank-you for their business. And in networking emails, where the goal is to start a relationship rather than close a transaction, “best regards” can feel a touch transactional. The alternatives below solve each of these cases.

30 Other Ways to Say Best Regards

Here are 30 professional alternatives, grouped by tone. Each one includes its tone, the situation where it works best, and a real example sentence so you can copy the style immediately.

Professional and Formal Alternatives

1. Kind regards
Tone: Polite, classic, slightly warmer than “best regards.” Best use: the safest all-purpose business closing; works in nearly every professional email.
Example: “I have attached the contract for your review. Kind regards, Sarah”

2. Sincerely
Tone: Formal and traditional. Best use: cover letters, official requests, and first contact with senior professionals.
Example: “Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, James Carter”

3. Respectfully
Tone: Very formal, deferential. Best use: emails to government officials, senior executives, or anyone you want to show clear deference to.
Example: “I would be grateful for your guidance on this matter. Respectfully, Dr. Anil Rao”

4. With regards
Tone: Formal and measured. Best use: business proposals, official correspondence, and messages that need a serious tone. If you are ever writing a very formal letter, you might also review formal alternatives to “To whom it may concern” for the opening line.
Example: “We look forward to your response. With regards, the Finance Team”

5. Yours truly
Tone: Traditional and formal. Best use: formal letters, especially in American business writing.
Example: “Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions. Yours truly, Margaret Ellis”

6. Yours faithfully
Tone: Very formal, British business standard. Best use: UK formal letters, especially when you do not know the recipient’s name.
Example: “I remain at your disposal for further discussion. Yours faithfully, Thomas Bennett”

7. With best wishes
Tone: Formal but genuinely warm. Best use: professional messages where you want to wish the reader well, such as holiday-season emails or farewell notes to colleagues.
Example: “It was a pleasure working with you. With best wishes for your new role, Priya”

8. In appreciation
Tone: Formal gratitude. Best use: closing a message where someone has done you a favor, shared advice, or given their time.
Example: “Your feedback shaped the final proposal. In appreciation, Daniel”

Friendly and Warm Alternatives

9. Warm regards
Tone: Friendly and approachable. Best use: colleagues and clients you know well; adds human warmth without losing professionalism.
Example: “Great catching up today. Warm regards, Lisa”

10. Warmly
Tone: Warm and personable. Best use: networking emails, introductions, and thank-you messages where you want to feel genuine.
Example: “Thanks again for the introduction. Warmly, Alex”

11. With warmth
Tone: Sincere and gentle. Best use: messages to mentors, long-term clients, or anyone you have a warm professional relationship with.
Example: “Your mentorship made all the difference. With warmth, Nadia”

12. Take care
Tone: Friendly and caring. Best use: colleagues during busy or stressful periods; shows you see them as a person, not just a contact.
Example: “Let me know if you need anything this week. Take care, Sam”

13. Have a great day
Tone: Cheerful and light. Best use: customer service replies, quick internal emails, and messages that end on a positive note. For longer well-wishing closings, see these ways to wish someone a great rest of the week.
Example: “Your refund has been processed. Have a great day, the Support Team”

14. Wishing you well
Tone: Kind and thoughtful. Best use: check-in emails, messages after someone’s illness or leave, and sensitive professional situations.
Example: “No rush on the reply. Wishing you well, Jordan”

15. All the best
Tone: Warm and encouraging. Best use: farewell emails, congratulations, and messages to people moving on to new opportunities.
Example: “Congratulations on the promotion. All the best, Rachel”

Email-Ready Short Sign-Offs

16. Thanks
Tone: Casual-professional. Best use: internal emails and ongoing threads where a full formal closing would feel heavy.
Example: “Got it, I will send the file by 3 PM. Thanks, Mike”

17. Thank you
Tone: Grateful and polite. Best use: any email where you are requesting something or acknowledging help.
Example: “I appreciate you sharing these details. Thank you, Emily”

18. Many thanks
Tone: Warmer gratitude, still professional. Best use: when someone went out of their way to help you.
Example: “You saved me hours of work. Many thanks, Chris”

19. Cheers
Tone: Friendly and informal-professional. Best use: UK and Australian workplaces, creative industries, and colleagues you know well. Avoid in very formal or first-contact emails.
Example: “Slides are ready for review. Cheers, Tom”

20. Talk soon
Tone: Casual and forward-looking. Best use: emails that clearly continue a conversation, such as scheduling or active projects.
Example: “I will share the draft tomorrow. Talk soon, Aisha”

21. Looking forward to hearing from you
Tone: Polite and expectant. Best use: emails that need a reply; it gently signals that a response is expected without sounding demanding.
Example: “I have attached my availability for next week. Looking forward to hearing from you, David”

22. Best
Tone: Neutral and efficient. Best use: the modern minimalist default for busy inboxes and ongoing threads; professional without ceremony.
Example: “Confirmed for Thursday. Best, Karen”

Workplace and Client-Focused Alternatives

23. With appreciation
Tone: Grateful and professional. Best use: client emails, vendor relationships, and any message where gratitude strengthens the relationship.
Example: “We value your partnership on this project. With appreciation, the Marketing Team”

24. Gratefully
Tone: Sincere thanks in one word. Best use: after receiving help, feedback, or a favor from a colleague or client.
Example: “Your quick turnaround made the deadline possible. Gratefully, Omar”

25. Respectfully yours
Tone: Formal respect. Best use: messages to clients in traditional industries, or when you want extra formality without stiffness.
Example: “We will proceed as discussed. Respectfully yours, Helen Ward”

26. Cordially
Tone: Polite and slightly old-fashioned. Best use: invitations, event RSVPs, and formal announcements.
Example: “We would be honored by your presence. Cordially, the Events Committee”

27. Until next time
Tone: Friendly and conversational. Best use: meeting recaps and recurring check-ins where you will genuinely speak again soon.
Example: “Action items are listed above. Until next time, Steve”

28. Stay in touch
Tone: Open and inviting. Best use: networking follow-ups and project endings where you want to keep the door open.
Example: “It was great collaborating with you. Stay in touch, Maria”

29. With gratitude
Tone: Heartfelt and professional. Best use: thank-you emails to clients, mentors, and partners; stronger than “thanks,” still workplace-appropriate.
Example: “Your support this quarter meant everything to the team. With gratitude, Jonathan”

30. Onwards and upwards
Tone: Optimistic and modern. Best use: project kickoffs, team announcements, and motivational internal emails. Skip it for formal client correspondence.
Example: “Phase one is complete. Onwards and upwards, the Product Team”

Quick Comparison Table

Alternative	Tone	Best Use
Kind regards	Polite, classic	All-purpose business emails
Sincerely	Formal	Cover letters, official requests
Respectfully	Very formal	Senior executives, officials
Warm regards	Friendly	Known colleagues and clients
Warmly	Personable	Networking, introductions
With appreciation	Grateful	Client and vendor emails
Best	Neutral, efficient	Ongoing threads, busy inboxes
Thank you	Grateful	Requests and acknowledgments
Cheers	Casual-professional	UK/AU workplaces, creatives
All the best	Encouraging	Farewells, congratulations

Ready-to-Use Email Examples

Here are short, copy-ready examples for six common situations. Notice how the sign-off matches the purpose of each email.

To a client (project update):
“Hi Mr. Thompson, the first designs are ready for your review in the shared folder. I have also attached a one-page summary of the changes. With appreciation, Elena”

To a manager (requesting time off):
“Hi Sarah, I would like to request Friday, November 14 off for a family commitment. I have briefed the team so nothing will slip. Kind regards, Daniel”

To a colleague (sharing a file):
“Hey Mike, here is the spreadsheet we discussed. The numbers on tab two are the latest. Best, Priya” (If you are attaching files often, these alternatives to “please find attached” keep the wording fresh.)

To a customer (resolving an issue):
“Hello, your replacement order ships today and should arrive Thursday. I am sorry for the delay. Wishing you well, Customer Support”

Networking (after meeting someone):
“Hi Alex, it was great meeting you at the conference. I would love to continue our conversation about content strategy over coffee. Warmly, Jordan”

Meeting follow-up:
“Hi team, here are the three action items from today’s call, with owners and dates. Please confirm you have seen this. Talk soon, Rachel” (For the opening line of a nudge email, these follow-up openers work better than “just checking in.”)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using “Best regards” on autopilot. When every email ends identically, the closing becomes invisible. Rotate two or three sign-offs that fit your common situations.

2. Mismatching tone and content. Do not close a complaint or a difficult message with “Cheers.” The sign-off should match the emotional weight of the email: serious content needs a serious closing.

3. Going too formal with close colleagues. “Respectfully yours” to a teammate you chat with daily feels cold and creates distance. Match the closeness of the relationship.

4. Going too casual with new contacts. “Cheers” or “Talk soon” in a first email to a senior client can read as presumptuous. Start formal; mirror their tone as the relationship develops.

5. Overusing gratitude closings. Ending every email with “With gratitude” dilutes it. Save warm, grateful closings for moments where gratitude is genuinely the point.

6. Forgetting the name. A sign-off without your name (“Best regards” and nothing else) looks unfinished in external emails. Always sign your name the first time you email someone.

7. Mixing American and British conventions carelessly. “Yours faithfully” is standard in the UK but rare in the US; “Cheers” is normal in London inboxes but can confuse American readers. Know your audience.

Good email etiquette also extends to the body of your message. If you often write short acknowledgment replies, learning clearer alternatives to “noted” will make your responses sound more engaged and professional.

15 Related Phrases Worth Knowing

1. Regards – the shorter, cooler version of “best regards.” Example: “See you Thursday. Regards, Paul”
2. Best wishes – warmer; often used for farewells and good news. Example: “Best wishes on your new job, Anita”
3. Kindest regards – a slightly warmer variant of “kind regards.” Example: “Kindest regards, and thanks again, Helen”
4. Warmest regards – the warmest point before it becomes personal. Example: “Warmest regards to you and the family, George”
5. With kind regards – formal variant, common in European business English. Example: “With kind regards, Dr. Weber”
6. Yours sincerely – British formal standard when you know the recipient’s name. Example: “Yours sincerely, Catherine Doyle”
7. Faithfully yours – old-fashioned formal variant. Example: “Faithfully yours, Robert”
8. With thanks – gratitude without overcommitting warmth. Example: “With thanks for your prompt reply, Nina”
9. Appreciatively – single-word gratitude closing. Example: “Appreciatively, Mark”
10. Have a wonderful weekend – Friday-friendly closing. Example: “The report is done. Have a wonderful weekend, Zoe”
11. Looking forward to working with you – optimistic opener for new relationships. Example: “Looking forward to working with you, Sam”
12. Please let me know if you need anything – service-oriented closing line. Example: “Please let me know if you need anything else, Support Team”
13. With best regards – nearly identical twin of “best regards,” slightly more formal. Example: “With best regards, the Legal Team”
14. Take it easy – casual, for friendly internal emails only. Example: “See you Monday. Take it easy, Dan”
15. Have a good one – casual American closing. Example: “Files sent. Have a good one, Jess”

“Best Regards” vs Its Alternatives: A Tone Comparison

Think of email closings on a spectrum from formal to casual. “Best regards” sits just right of center: professional, neutral, safe. “Sincerely,” “Respectfully,” and “Yours faithfully” sit to the left (more formal). “Kind regards” and “With best wishes” sit very close to it, almost interchangeable, with a touch more warmth. “Warm regards,” “Warmly,” and “All the best” move right into friendly territory. “Best,” “Thanks,” and “Cheers” are the casual end, best for people you already know.

Formality also interacts with purpose. A closing does two jobs: it ends the message politely, and it frames the relationship. “Best regards” frames the relationship as strictly professional. If your goal is to build rapport, closings like “Warmly” or “With appreciation” do more work. If your goal is to show respect to authority, “Respectfully” or “Sincerely” do more work. Choose the closing that matches both the message and the relationship you want.

Cultural Usage: US, UK, and Global Business Norms

US English: American business emails favor efficiency. “Best,” “Thanks,” and “Best regards” dominate. “Cheers” and “Yours faithfully” are rare and can confuse readers. Americans tend to drop formal closings faster once a thread is underway.

UK English: British business writing keeps more tradition. “Kind regards” is the default workhorse, “Yours sincerely” and “Yours faithfully” still appear in formal letters, and “Cheers” is completely normal among colleagues. Ending a first email to a British client with “Cheers” is usually fine; with an American one, wait until they use it first.

Corporate communication: Large companies often have unspoken norms. Law firms, banks, and consultancies lean formal (“Sincerely,” “Respectfully”). Tech companies and startups lean casual (“Best,” “Thanks,” “Cheers”). When in doubt, mirror the closings your recipient uses.

Customer service: Support teams usually standardize on one or two warm closings (“Wishing you well,” “Have a great day”) because consistency builds trust. The closing is part of the service experience, not just politeness.

Networking: Warmth wins. “Warmly,” “Great connecting,” and “Stay in touch” signal that you see a person, not a transaction. In networking emails, the sign-off is a small but real part of the first impression.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is “Best regards” too formal for everyday emails?
No. It is semi-formal, which makes it suitable for most everyday business emails. It only feels stiff in very casual internal threads, where “Thanks” or “Best” fit better.

2. What is the most professional alternative to “Best regards”?
“Kind regards” is the closest professional equivalent and works in almost every situation where “best regards” would. For more formal contexts, “Sincerely” is the classic choice.

3. Can I use “Warm regards” with clients?
Yes, once you have an established relationship. For first contact, start with “Best regards” or “Kind regards” and warm it up as the relationship develops.

4. Is it okay to just write “Best”?
Yes, in modern business email “Best” is widely accepted, especially in ongoing threads and internal messages. It is neutral and efficient rather than rude.

5. What should I never use as a professional sign-off?
Avoid “Love,” “XOXO,” “Sent from my iPhone” as a closing, and overly casual slang. Also avoid joke closings in any email that matters.

6. Should the sign-off match the greeting?
Roughly, yes. “Dear Mr. Smith” pairs with a formal closing; “Hi Alex” pairs with a neutral or warm one. A formal greeting with “Cheers” feels inconsistent.

7. Do I need a comma after “Best regards”?
Yes. The standard format is “Best regards,” on its own line, followed by your name on the next line. The same applies to all the alternatives in this guide.

8. Can I use these closings in a cover letter?
Use “Sincerely” or “Respectfully” for cover letters. Warm or casual closings like “Cheers” or “Warmly” are too informal for job applications.

9. How do I sign off a group email?
Use a neutral closing like “Best regards” or “Kind regards” for group emails, since the audience has mixed relationships with you. Save personal warmth for one-to-one messages.

10. Is “Best regards” outdated in 2026?
Not at all. It remains one of the most used professional closings worldwide. The trend is simply toward more variety: professionals now rotate closings to match the situation instead of using one for everything.

Final Summary

Choosing other ways to say best regards is a small skill with an outsized effect: the right closing makes every email land a little better. Here are the top picks from this guide. The best professional pick is “Kind regards”: it works everywhere “best regards” does, with a touch more polish. The best formal pick is “Sincerely”, the standard for cover letters and official correspondence. The best warm pick is “Warm regards”, ideal for clients and colleagues you know well. And the best email-ready short pick is “Best”, the efficient modern default for busy inboxes.

Keep two or three of these in rotation, match the tone to the relationship, and your closings will stop sounding automatic and start sounding intentional. For the dictionary definition and usage notes on the word itself, see Cambridge Dictionary’s entry for “regards”.