68 common email abbreviations you should know
Here is a list of email abbreviations and acronyms that you can use in your emails:
1. 1L - One liner
Used at the beginning of the subject line, 1L tells the recipient that the email is just one line long. Everything they need to know is right there in the subject — no need to open it. For example, "1L: WFH today."
2. AB - Action by
Used with a timeline to notify the recipient that the sender needs a task completed within a specific deadline. It's essential when you create timelines to ensure clarity and precision.
For example, here is the SEO report. AB+2. Here, it will mean that action is needed within two days.
3. AEAP - As early as possible
When you need something done sooner rather than later, AEAP is your go-to abbreviation. It's a polite yet clear way of telling the recipient that the earlier they complete the task, the better.
4. AR - Action required
Used to inform the recipient that they are given a task.
5. ASAP - As soon as possible
I'm sure you've seen this one everywhere. It's basically when something is urgent and needs immediate attention, ASAP gets the message across quickly and clearly.
6. BCC and CC - Blind carbon copy and Carbon copy
You can see both these acronyms in your email program. You use them when you want to send a message to the main addressee and other interested parties.
The email address in the CC field will be visible to every recipient of the email, but those in BCC will not be.
So, if you don't want everyone to see all of the recipients of a message, you would enter their email addresses in the BCC field.
7. BLUF - Bottom line up front
This signals that the most important information comes first, saving the reader from digging through paragraphs to find what matters.
8. BRB - Be right back
Ever sent a quick email mid-conversation only to step away from your desk? That's where BRB comes in! It's typically used in informal emails or chat messages to let the recipient know you've stepped away but will be back shortly.
9. BTW - By the way
We've all had that moment where we remember something extra we wanted to mention — BTW is perfect for that! It's used to add a new idea or tangent to your message without making it feel like a whole new topic. For example, "Had a productive meeting with Sam earlier. He has a cool new phone BTW."
Used to let the recipient know they have been CC'd purely for their awareness. No action is required from their end; they are simply being kept in the loop.
11. COB - Close of business
Similar to EOD, COB tells the recipient that something needs to be completed or sent by the end of the working day. For example, "Please send the report by COB."
12. COP - Close of play
This one is more common in British workplaces. Much like COB, it refers to the end of the working day. So if your colleague asks for something by COP, you know you need to get it done before you log off!
13. CTA - Call to action
CTA is used to prompt the recipient to take a specific action after reading the email. Whether it's clicking a link, filling out a form, or responding with feedback.
14. CWC - Change in working conditions
Used in HR emails to flag that something about the working arrangement or conditions has changed. It's a heads-up abbreviation, letting employees know to pay close attention to the email content.
15. EOD - End of day
It is used when you want to send or receive something by the end of the day.
16. EOM - End of message
Used in email subject line, informing the recipient that entire content is in the subject line. So, the recipient doesn't need to open the email, thus saving their time.
17. EOW - End of week
It is used when you want to send or receive something by the end of the week. In business emails, EOW refers to Friday.
18. ETA - Expected time of arrival
Planning a meeting or coordinating travel? ETA is the abbreviation you need! It lets the recipient know when you or someone else is expected to arrive, so everyone can plan accordingly. For example, "We'll be coming by train, ETA 9:00."
19. FAO - For the attention of
When you need a specific person to read or take action mentioned in the email, you can use FAO in the email subject line.
For example, Subject line: FAO - John, please send the content style guide by 2 p.m.
20. FWD - Forward
FWD simply means the email has been forwarded from another recipient, so you know upfront that you're not the original intended audience.
21. FWIW - For what it's worth
When you want to share an opinion or piece of information but aren't entirely sure how relevant it is, FWIW is your go-to. It's a humble way of adding your two cents without coming across as too forceful. For example, "FWIW I'm not sure it's going to be very effective."
22. FYA - For your action
Think of FYA as a step up from FYI. While FYI just shares information, FYA means the recipient is expected to actually do something about it.
23. FYFG - For your future guidance
When management wants to inform staff about a new policy or procedure they should follow going forward, FYFG is the perfect abbreviation to use. It's essentially a heads-up for future reference.
24. FYG - For your guidance
Used at the beginning of the subject line, commonly in business emails where the sender sends important information to the recipient to help them with their work.
When you want to share some helpful information that you think the recipient might now know of, you can use this acronym.
26. FYR - For your reference
This is typically used in the subject line to send follow-up information about something the recipients already know.
27. HTH - Hope that helps
Ever answered a colleague's question over email and wanted to wrap it up on a friendly note? HTH is perfect for that! It's typically included at the end of a message where you've answered a question or provided some assistance — a warm little sign-off that says, "I've got you covered!"
Used at the beginning of the subject line, it signals that the email is purely informational. No reply needed, the recipient just needs to read and be aware.
29. IAM - In a meeting
It is used informally to tell the recipient that the sender is in a meeting.
30. IMO - In my opinion
We all have opinions, and IMO is a great way to share yours without sounding too assertive! It signals that what follows is a personal thought rather than a fact. For example, "IMO it was never going to work." You might also see its cousin IMHO — In My Humble Opinion — used in a similar way.
31. LET - Leaving early today
This abbreviation is used commonly in group emails to inform others that you are leaving early, so they don't ping you later if they need anything.
32. LF - Looking for
When you need something specific and you're reaching out to see if anyone can help, LF makes your intent immediately clear. For example, "LF: A vendor who specializes in graphic design."
33. LMK - Let me know
When you're waiting on a response or need feedback from the recipient, LMK keeps things short and casual. It's a friendly nudge that says, "Ball's in your court!" For example, "Friday afternoon ok? LMK."
34. LSFW - Less safe for work
A step below NSFW, LSFW is used to give the recipient a gentle warning that the content may be slightly inappropriate for a professional setting.
35. MIA - Missing in action
We've all had that one email that somehow got lost in the busy inbox. MIA is used to flag that an original email has gone missing somewhere in the process, and a follow-up is needed.
36. NB - Note well
Derived from the Latin "nota bene," NB is placed before a particularly important piece of information to make sure the reader doesn't miss it.
37. NIM - No internal message
Just like NT or EOM, NIM tells the recipient that the entire content of the email is in the subject line. The body is empty, so there's no need to open it.
38. NM - No message
NM signals that the subject line contains everything the recipient needs to know. The email body is empty, so no need to click open!
39. NNTR - No need to respond
Used to inform the recipient that they don't need to reply to the email, which reduces email clutter from replies like "okay, great."
40. NRN - No reply necessary
Much like NNTR, NRN lets the recipient know that they don't need to send a response. It keeps the inbox clean and avoids those unnecessary "Got it, thanks!" replies.
41. NSFW - Not safe for work
One of the most widely known abbreviations on this list! NSFW warns the recipient that the email contains content that is sexually explicit, profane, or otherwise inappropriate to view in a professional setting. Always a good one to include when forwarding something that might raise eyebrows at the office!
42. NT or N/T - No text
Used when the email content is contained in the subject line and the email body remains empty. This saves the recipient time because they do not have to open the email.
Used in business emails to indicate that the content is not related to business, the recipient can ignore it if desired.
44. NWS - Not work-safe or Not work-suitable
Used in email subject line to urge the viewer to use discretion or avoid the email in a professional or public setting. The email may be sexually explicit or profane, making it inappropriate to view, among others.
45. NYR - Need your response
Used in the subject line to tell the recipient that you require a response from them.
46. NYR-NBD - Need your response - Next business day
You can use this abbreviation to tell the recipient that a reply is required for the email before the next working day. NYR-NBD can be written either in the subject line or email copy.
47. NYRQ - Need your response quick
Used in the subject line to tell the recipient that you require a quick response.
48. NYRT - Need your response today
Used in the subject line to tell the recipient that you require a response within the working day.
49. OOO - Out of office
OOO is the standard acronym to tell the recipient that you are out of office. You can also set up email autoresponders to let people know you are not in the office or not available.
50. OT - Off topic
When you want to bring up something in an email thread that isn't directly related to the original conversation, OT is a courteous way of flagging it. It keeps things transparent and avoids any confusion about why you're suddenly talking about something different!
51. PFA - Please find the attachment
When you send documents or a set of documents in the email, you should mention PFA to inform the recipient about the documents.
52. PNSFW - Probably not safe for work
PNSFW is used when the content might be borderline inappropriate. It's a courteous warning that says, "You might want to use your judgment before opening this at work."
53. PRB - Please reply by
You can use this abbreviation when you need a reply by a specific date and time.
54. PS - Post scriptum
Post scriptum is used as an afterthought that you might have when you finish writing the email. The term comes from the Latin post scriptum, meaning "written after." You can also use PS to write some thoughts that you forget to mention before signing the email.
55. PYR - Per your request
A polite and professional way of letting the recipient know that you are responding to something they previously asked for. For example, "PYR, please find the updated project report attached."
56. QUE - Question
QUE is placed in the subject line to let the recipient know upfront that the email contains a question that needs an answer.
57. RB - Reply by
Similar to PRB, RB is used with a time indicator to tell the recipient exactly when their response is needed. For example, "RB+3" means the sender needs a reply within three days.
58. RLB - Read later
When you send a personal or informational email to a business address and don't need an immediate response, RLB lets the recipient know they can save it for when they have more time.
59. RR - Reply requested or Reply required
You can use this abbreviation to tell the recipient to reply to this email.
60. RSVP - Reply requested please
Originally from the French "Répondez s'il vous plaît," RSVP is most commonly seen in event invitations. It simply asks the recipient to confirm whether they will be attending or not.
61. SFW - Safe for work
That's where SFW reassures the recipient that, despite how the email look, the content is totally appropriate to open at work.
62. TBF - To be forwarded
Used to request that the email recipient forwards the email to another person.
63. TL;DR - Too long; Didn't read
Used when you send a long email but don't want the reader to go through the whole email. So, you can summarize the main points by labeling it TL; DR.
64. TLTR - Too long to read
Unlike TL;DR, which summarizes a long email, TLTR is used to request that the sender actually shorten their email. If you've ever received a wall of text and wished the sender had been more concise, TLTR is the polite nudge to do just that.
65. TSFW - Technically safe for work or Totally safe for work
This acronym indicates that an email is completely fine to view at work because the email content is suitable for the viewer.
66. UDA - Urgent document attached
This signals that not only is there an attachment, but it's urgent!
67. WFH - Work from home
With remote work becoming more common than ever, WFH has become a staple in workplace communication. Used in the subject line or body, it simply lets others know that the sender is working from home that day.
68. Y/N - Yes or No
Use this abbreviation when you need a yes or no response. It saves the recipient time and reduces the chances of getting more responses.
Conclusion
As we reach the EOM, we hope you got email abbreviations and acronyms that will help keep the email concise and save time for the recipients.
So, next time you want to inform your colleagues that you are out of the office, just right OOO. Hopefully, they get it. 😅
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