Best Regards Meaning: When to Use & Alternatives

January 4, 2024

Have you ever received a letter that seemed reasonable until the closing phrase left you wondering where you stood? “Best regards” may be the closing of your letter or email. If so, this article is for you.

Table of Contents

What is Best Regards?

“Best regards” is a standard professional conclusion for a letter or an e-mail. In the appropriate context, it shows respect but doesn’t get too personal. Don’t use it all the time, though, since if you’re closer to someone, it can seem cold and give the wrong impression!

Whether used in a business letter or personal correspondence, “Best regards” is a safe but still friendly closing for your letter or email with a correspondent you don’t know well.

For a new colleague, this email signature indicates respect and a desire for better acquaintance. To a business contact, it tells them that you respect and value the relationship, and it may even suggest hierarchy or deference. “Best regards” doesn’t cross boundaries – it looks professional and is the best option if you’re feeling cautious. To a new personal acquaintance, it suggests that you respect them but don’t want to assume that you have a closer connection yet.

Here are examples of using “Best Regards”:

Example#1:

Good Day! 

Thank you again for taking the time to interview me today. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about your company and the open position. Please let me know if I can provide further samples of my work or if you have any questions. I hope to hear from you soon!

Best regards,
Lauren Waugh

If you’re writing to a social acquaintance, “Best regards” can be appropriate for a new acquaintance or someone who would appreciate formality.

Example#2:

Hi Paul, 

It was wonderful to meet you this weekend. Kelly told me so many good things about you, and it was wonderful to meet you in person! I hope we can see you at this year's family reunion.

Best regards,
Thomas Smith

When to use Best Regards?

It’s usually good to use “Best regards” in formal situations with business associates or new acquaintances – people you know but don’t know well yet. If you know someone more closely, use something more personal!

Best regards, for instance, is an appropriate closing for a formal thank-you note for an interview or after a meeting with a colleague or client you don’t know well.

Thanking an interviewer or building a rapport.
When communicating with colleagues or coworkers.
When communicating with your supervisor.
When emailing current clients or vendors.
When you want to be formal in business emails.

If you’re in a string of emails, “Best” is an appropriate abbreviation of “Best regards” after the first few emails.

Is it “Best Regards” or “Best regards?”

Only the first letter of “Best regards” must be capitalized in the closing “Best regards.” Treat it like one of the sentences before it – it’s part of the letter.

Best Regards Alternatives

For a less formal alternative, if you’re writing to someone who isn’t close to you, substitute “kindest regards” or “warmest regards.” They convey the same respect but suggest you’re closer to the recipient.

Kind Regards / Kindest Regards

“Kind regards” tells the recipient that you see them in a friendly light. It still doesn’t overstep their boundaries. This closing is appropriate for a warmer or closer business relationship or a social acquaintance with whom you don’t want to seem too familiar!

Example:

Hi Stanley, 

Thank you for taking the time to meet today and for your insights into the upcoming project! Talking with you clarified many of my questions and helped prepare me for the next few months' work. Please let me know if you have any questions or want to schedule another meeting. 

Kindest regards,
Maureen

Warm Regards / Warmest Regards

“Warm regards” is less formal than either “Kind regards” or “Best regards.” To an existing professional colleague or someone you know socially but not very well, this email sign-off signals respect and tells them that you are concerned for their well-being and enjoy their company.

Example:

Hi Roye,

Thank you again for your help with the expense reports. I was so happy to hear about your good news and to receive the invitation to lunch! I hope we can find a convenient time in the new year.

Warm regards,
Jim

Best Wishes

You should use “Best wishes” with close friends or close acquaintances. Think of people you went to college or school with, people you see at coffee hour at a religious event, or neighbors you talk to occasionally. “Best wishes” is appropriate in those cases.

Example:

Hi John, 

It was so lovely to see you at the party this weekend! Please let me know the next time you're in town. There's an exhibit I'd love to see with you at the museum.

Best wishes, 
Ann

Final Thoughts

“Best regards” at the end of an email tells the recipient you respect them and is ideal for a distant colleague or a more formal social contact. But there are other options if you prefer. “Best wishes” or “warm regards” are alternatives if you want to show respect but don’t want to be too familiar.