In most workplaces, email is an accepted way to resign — it creates a dated, written record of your notice. Some contracts still require a signed letter, so check yours first; even then, an email is the fastest way to confirm your resignation in writing after you've spoken to your manager. The standard notice period in most industries is two weeks, though your contract may require more.
What to include in a resignation email
- A clear subject line — e.g. “Resignation — [Your Name].”
- A direct statement that you are resigning from your position.
- Your last working day — a specific date, based on your notice period.
- Brief gratitude — a sentence or two thanking your boss for the opportunity.
- An offer to help the transition — handover notes, wrapping up projects, training a replacement.
- No negativity — skip complaints, comparisons and reasons for leaving. Save honest feedback for the exit interview.
If you can, tell your manager in person or on a call first, then send the email to confirm it in writing. It's more respectful, and it means your boss doesn't learn the news from an inbox notification.
Keep the tone positive, brief and professional
However you feel about the job, your resignation email is not the place to settle scores — it may end up in your HR file and your boss is a future reference. Keep it warm and matter-of-fact: you're leaving, here's the date, thank you, and you'll make the handover easy. Three short paragraphs is plenty. You don't owe anyone an explanation of where you're going or why.
Resignation email template
Write it in one tap with Email Writer
You don't have to agonise over the wording. With Email Writer, describe your situation in a single line and pick a tone — the app writes the full resignation email for you, subject line included.
Just type a prompt like:
Write a polite resignation email, my last day is two weeks from Friday
Choose Medium length and the Professional or Polite style, tap Compose, and you'll get a ready-to-send resignation email in seconds. Working for an international company? Tap Translate and send it in any of 40+ languages.
Resign gracefully in seconds
Email Writer drafts your resignation email, fixes the tone, and translates it — free on iPhone & iPad.
Frequently asked questions
Should I say why I'm leaving?
You don't have to, and usually it's better not to. A short, positive line (“I've accepted a role that's a great next step for me”) is fine, but detailed reasons — especially critical ones — belong in the exit interview, not the resignation email.
Can I resign by email?
In most workplaces, yes. Email counts as written notice and creates a dated record. Check your contract in case a signed letter is required, and ideally tell your manager in person or on a call before the email arrives.
How much notice should I give?
Two weeks is the standard minimum in most industries, but your contract is the final word — senior roles often require a month or more. Count your notice from the day your boss receives it, and state your exact last working day in the email.