20 Ways to Reply to Thank You: Casual & Formal Phrases

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Plus, sample English conversations to express & receive gratitude
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When someone thanks you, there are many sincere ways you can reply. Whether you’re looking for professional responses to use at work or casual responses for friends and family, you have lots of great options to choose from whenever someone expresses their gratitude to you. Keep reading for 20+ replies to “thank you” for every occasion, along with tips from expert etiquette coach Tami Claytor.

The Top Ways to Respond to ‘Thanks’

  1. My pleasure.
  2. Glad I could help.
  3. You’re most welcome.
  4. It’s the least I could do.
  5. I appreciate you saying that!
  6. Anytime.
  7. No problem.
Section 1 of 4:

Formal Replies to “Thank You”

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  1. “ You’re welcome ” is one of the most obvious and widely used responses to “Thank you,” and Claytor recommends it as “the most appropriate” choice. [1] It straightforwardly and politely conveys that you accept this person’s expression of gratitude, meaning that it’s a good choice for more formal or professional situations. You can also further emphasize the phrase by saying “You’re most welcome,” “You’re so welcome,” or “You’re very welcome.” [2]
    • Avoid saying “You're welcome” in a sarcastic tone. Unless you want to convey that you didn't really appreciate doing the job for someone or don't appreciate them in general, it is best to avoid a sarcastic tone . [3]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: I forgot my binder for the meeting, could you grab it for me?
      • Speaker B: Yes, of course.
      • Speaker A: Thank you!
      • Speaker B: You’re welcome!
  2. 2
    “My pleasure!” “ It’s my pleasure ” (or, more simply, “my pleasure”) conveys a sense of enjoyment in the act of doing something for others—Claytor affirms that this is the phrase she personally uses to respond to “Thank you.” [4] It’s often heard in places of service, like restaurants and hotels, but it’s appropriate to use in any situation where gratitude is being offered. [5]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks so much for making this delicious meal!”
      • Speaker B: “ It was my pleasure! ”
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  3. Replying to “Thank you” with a phrase like “It’s my honor” indicates that you feel privileged or even appreciative to be able to help. This response is best used when you feel a certain sense of respect, sincerity, or debt to the person expressing their thanks. It strikes a more formal tone and imbues the reply with a great sense of gratitude.
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thank you for helping with that patient today, you’re an excellent nurse.”
      • Speaker B: “ It’s my honor to help.”
  4. 4
    “That’s quite all right.” “That’s quite all right” is another way to say “Don’t worry about it” or “It’s okay.” In essence, it’s a way to respond when someone thanks you for something—although it can also be used as a reply to an apology. This polite, emphatic, and slightly formal phrase is widely understood among English speakers, but it’s most common in British English. [6]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “So sorry I’m late, thank you for waiting!”
      • Speaker B: “ That’s quite all right , I didn’t mind!”
  5. “Not at all” is a polite and slightly formal alternative to “You’re welcome” or any other reply to “Thank you.” The phrase expresses that you were happy to help with the task or favor at hand, and that it didn’t bother you to offer assistance. “Not at all” is similar to more common phrases like “No problem” and “No worries,” but it’s slightly more distant and formal. [7]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “That was very kind of you, thank you.”
      • Speaker B: “ Not at all , It was the least I could do.”
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Section 2 of 4:

Informal Replies to “Thank You”

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  1. “No problem” and “No worries” are common, casual replies to “thank you” that essentially have the same meaning—they convey that what you did was no big deal. It’s acceptable to say “No problem” or “No worries” in really informal situations, says Claytor. [8] But, it should only be used if it’s true! If something took effort or time, then don’t be afraid to accept the other person’s gratitude. [9]
    • These phrases can be acceptable in most situations, but they may also diminish the relationship-building opportunity of the interaction, depending on the individuals involved.
    • For instance, younger people generally see “No problem” as a perfectly acceptable and humble reply to “Thank you.” Older people, however, may view the phrase as disrespectful or dismissive of the gratitude being offered. [10]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Oh, thanks for grabbing that for me!”
      • Speaker B: “ No problem! ”
  2. 2
    “Don’t mention it.” “Don’t mention it” is a commonly accepted reply to “Thank you” in the English-speaking world, but it’s best suited to slightly informal or casual situations. It implies that the favor or help was not a big deal and doesn’t even merit thanks. For this reason, some people dislike the phrase as it can seem dismissive of the gratitude being expressed, but most people use it automatically and without consideration for its literal meaning. [11]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks for your feedback in the meeting, it was valuable.”
      • Speaker B: “ Don’t mention it, I was happy to provide some insight!”
  3. 3
    “It’s nothing.” If someone says “Thank you” and you reply with “It’s nothing,” you’re essentially saying that the help or task was no big deal. It’s best to use this phrase for simple favors that are truly no bother—like picking up something that someone dropped or grabbing an extra fork for a friend. [12]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “I didn’t realize my Zoom camera wasn’t on, thanks for telling me!”
      • Speaker B: “Oh, it’s nothing !”
  4. “That’s okay” is a very quick, easy, and casual reply to “Thank you” that’s commonly used by native English speakers—but it can be confusing to English learners since it’s not a grammatically natural reply. It’s often used in informal situations among friends, especially when you’re doing a simple favor for someone else that they might feel grateful for.
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks for letting me use your phone!”
      • Speaker B: “ That’s okay! ”
  5. 5
    “That’s fine!” Similar to “That’s okay,” “That’s fine” is a laidback way to respond to “Thank you.” It’s typically reserved for casual and passing expressions of gratitude, usually after an easy favor has been completed.
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks for lending me a pen!”
      • Speaker B: “Oh yeah, that’s fine !”
  6. 6
    “Sure!” “Sure” is one of the easiest replies to “Thank you” that you can stash away for later use. The phrase is super short, easy to remember, and perfect for replies about simple tasks that don’t take a whole lot of effort. However, it is important to say “Sure” in an enthusiastic tone (visualize an exclamation point at the end). If said in a dull or flat tone, it could be perceived as sarcastic or even rude. [13]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks for calling and checking in!”
      • Speaker B: “ Sure ! I was thinking about you!”
  7. 7
    “Anytime.” This phrase is used to convey that you’re willing to do a favor or task at any time. While this meaning isn’t necessarily taken literally, replying with “Anytime” does express that you were happy to help this person out and that you’re willing to support them in the future. However, this phrase is more casual and laid back, making it best for informal situations. [14]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks for picking up a coffee for me this morning!”
      • Speaker B: “ Anytime !”
  8. Replying “Of course” to “Thank you” signifies that you are happy to have helped this person out and that your assistance should have been expected. This response also implies that helping out was not an issue for you at all. Keep in mind that “Of course” is a very casual synonym of “You’re welcome,” but it’s still considered appropriate in most professional settings. [15]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks for covering my shift today.”
      • Speaker B: “ Of course !”
  9. 9
    “Glad I could help!” This phrase conveys that you are happy to help out your friend or acquaintance with the job or task. Not only does it convey your own gratitude for being able to assist someone else, but it also implies that you’d be willing to help them again in the future. [16]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks for helping me install my new bookshelf!”
      • Speaker B: “Glad I could help! I had fun hanging out!”
  10. 10
    “It’s the least I could do!” “It’s the least I could do” is a polite but enthusiastic way to respond to someone who’s thanked you. Essentially, this phrase means that helping this person out was a small thing for you to do, and that you believe you could have (or should have) done even more. “It’s the least I could do” is a great reply to “Thank you” because it’s kind and positive, and it’s appropriate for both casual and formal settings. [17]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks so much for helping us set up the rehearsal dinner last night.”
      • Speaker B: “ It’s the least I could do for your special day!”
  11. By repeating the “Thank you” phrase with an emphasis on “you,” you’re conveying that you are also grateful for their contributions. You can offer this reply verbally by placing vocal emphasis on “you,” or over text and email by capitalizing or placing asterisks around “you” (i.e., you ).
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: Thanks so much for your help today.
      • Speaker B: Thank YOU. I couldn’t have done it without you!
  12. 12
    “No sweat.” “No sweat” or “It’s no sweat” is an informal reply to “thank you” that’s most common in American English. It signifies that the task or favor at hand was easy and highly manageable. “No sweat” is likely a shortened version of “It’s no sweat off my back,” another casual American expression that means that something doesn’t bother you at all. [18]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks for helping me jump my car!”
      • Speaker B: “ No sweat!”
  13. 13
    “You bet!” “You bet” or, more casually, “You betcha” are casual slang expressions that can be used as a reply to “Thank you.” This friendly phrase has the same meaning as “You’re welcome” or “No problem,” but it’s slightly more casual and enthusiastic. While commonly understood by English speakers, “You betcha” is most frequently heard in Minnesota and other Midwestern regions of the U.S. [19]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks for helping me with those groceries!”
      • Speaker B: “ You betcha! ”
  14. 14
    “I appreciate you saying that.” This phrase is one of the warmest and most sincere ways to respond to “Thank you.” You’re both acknowledging their gratitude and letting them know that you’re grateful in turn for their own appreciation—aka, their “thanks” means a lot to you. Claytor agrees that “if you want to express gratitude, [you should] say ‘I appreciate you.’” [20] This response often comes off as very genuine, and it can be used interchangeably with other phrases like “Thank you for saying that” or “I appreciate your kind words.”
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “You really are an asset to the team, thank you.”
      • Speaker B: “Wow, I appreciate you saying that . Thank you.”
  15. If someone offers you thanks and you reply that they’d do the same for you, you’re conveying that the pair of you have a reciprocal relationship where you do each other favors out of goodwill or affection. This response also communicates confidence in your ability to help and activates the reciprocity of your partner, friend, or family member. [21]
    • Sample Conversation:
      • Speaker A: “Thanks for helping me move into my new apartment this weekend. I don't know what I would have done without you!”
      • Speaker B: “ I know you'd do the same for me. ”
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Section 3 of 4:

“Thank You” Responses to Avoid

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  1. Avoid phrases that downplay your help or support, like “It’s nothing.” While opinions on the common replies to “Thank you” may vary, some people believe that you should avoid responses like “No worries,” “Not at all,” “Don’t mention it,” and “It’s nothing.” According to certain schools of thought, these phrases dismiss the other person’s expression of gratitude, and may even indicate an inner feeling of unworthiness in yourself. [22]
    • They may imply that you don’t feel deserving of the gratitude being given to you, or the other person may even think you’re being rude by deflecting their “Thank you.”
Section 4 of 4:

How to Make Your Reply More Personal & Appropriate

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  1. In business meetings and relationships, avoid casual replies and show your sincerity when responding to “Thank you.” For instance, try to avoid phrases like “No problem,” “Anytime,” and “It's alright” when replying to a client or customer, and stick to more traditional replies like “You’re welcome” or “My pleasure.” [23]
    • For example, when a partner says “Thanks for writing the contract,” you can simply say, “You are very welcome.”
    • However, you should still use a warm tone, especially when replying to customers and clients. When dealing with a customer or client, you want to convey your appreciation for their business, so you might use a phrase like “We appreciate your business” or “I’m happy to help.”
    • These phrases show clients and customers that you’re grateful for your business and that you’re keen to help them.
  2. When replying to “Thank you,” it is best to offer a response that makes the other person feel that your relationship with them is special and unique. When dealing with a client, for example, you might say, “That's part of the complete commitment to service that you can expect when you do business with me.” [24]
    • If you know anything about the client, you can personalize the message. For example, you can say, "It is always a pleasure working with you. I hope your big presentation goes well next week."
    • Or, in more casual settings, you might reply to a friend or family member by saying something like “It’s the least I could do after everything you’ve done for me” or “I’m happy to help!”
  3. Your expression and body language can help make you seem sincere, personable, and helpful. When accepting thanks , remember to smile. Make eye contact with the other person as you speak, and nod along to what they say. Avoid crossing your arms or looking away. [25]
  4. There is no standard for replying to “thank you” in an email . Your response should fit the expectations of your audience and your personality. For example, if you are a chatty or outgoing person, go ahead and say “You're welcome” or “It's my pleasure” in response to a “Thank you” email or text message. [26]
    • Similarly, take into account the personality and demographic of the person (or people) you’re replying to. Younger audiences might not expect a reply to an email or text saying “Thank you.” Even if they do, they’d probably opt for a more casual reply like “No problem” or “Of course.” Older people often have different expectations for etiquette, and may very well appreciate a reply such as “you're welcome.”
    • Responding to a “Thank you” email is considered discretionary. You may want to respond to the “Thank you” email if there is also a question requiring a response in the email, or a specific comment that you wanted to address. In most cases, however, you can probably get away without responding to a “thank you” text or email.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What's another way to say "You're welcome?" in an interview?
    Tami Claytor
    Etiquette Coach
    Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification.
    Tami Claytor
    Etiquette Coach
    Expert Answer
    There are many different things you could say. "My pleasure" is a good response that should be sufficiently professional for an interview.
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  • Question
    What’s a good response when someone says “Thank you for understanding?”
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    People usually say this when they want to thank you for being patient or sympathetic with them when they’re dealing with a difficult situation. Try saying something reassuring, like “Of course,” “You’re very welcome,” or “It’s no problem at all.”
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How should I respond when someone says “Thank you for your service?”
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    There’s no right or wrong way to answer. Many veterans respond with something like “I appreciate your support,” while others choose to say something like “It was my privilege to serve.” If you don’t feel like saying anything, you can simply smile or nod in acknowledgement.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.
      2. ↑ https://hub.jhu.edu/at-work/2021/11/10/how-to-give-and-get-gratitude/
      3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/language-in-the-wild/202207/why-so-many-assume-youre-welcome-is-insincere
      4. ↑ Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-tips/youre-welcome/
      6. ↑ https://www.englishclub.com/ref/esl/Conversational_Phrases/Q/quite_all_right_4353.php
      7. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/not-at-all
      8. ↑ Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.
      9. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/work-life-etiquette/dont-say-no-problem
      1. ↑ https://www.abc4.com/gtu/why-young-people-are-saying-no-problem-instead-of-youre-welcome/
      2. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/don-t-mention-it
      3. ↑ https://www.lingoda.com/blog/en/ways-say-youre-welcome/
      4. ↑ https://www.berlitz.com/blog/thank-you-welcome-english
      5. ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-tips/youre-welcome/
      6. ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-tips/youre-welcome/
      7. ↑ https://www.lingoda.com/blog/en/ways-say-youre-welcome/
      8. ↑ https://www.lingoda.com/blog/en/ways-say-youre-welcome/
      9. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/no-sweat
      10. ↑ https://givemethemike.com/you-betcha-brush-up-on-your-minnesota-slang/
      11. ↑ Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.
      12. ↑ https://www.lingoda.com/blog/en/ways-say-youre-welcome/
      13. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-a-path-toward-spirituality/201501/the-2-words-you-should-stop-using-right-now
      14. ↑ https://www.inc.com/joel-schwartzberg/how-to-respond-when-a-colleague-says-thank-you.html
      15. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/replying-to-thank-you-emails
      16. ↑ https://www.ef.edu/blog/language/6-body-language-cues-that-show-youre-open-to-making-new-friends/
      17. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/replying-to-thank-you-emails

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      It’s always nice to be appreciated, but it can be hard to know how to respond to a “thank you.” If someone thanks you at work, respond in a sincere way and let the person know that you truly appreciate them. Say something like, “You’re very welcome,” or “I’m so glad I could help.” If you’re in a less formal situation, a simple “You’re welcome!” is always a good bet. If the other person did something for you too, you can always thank them back. If you know the person well and it’s a super casual situation, say something like, “No biggie,” or “Anytime!” Respond with a smile and a nod so the other person can tell your thanks are sincere. To learn how to respond to "Thank you" over email or text, scroll down!

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