"Hope you're well" is one of the most famous email openers. If you're unsure how to reply to it, read on.
Table of contents
When someone writes, "I hope you're well" in an email, what are they trying to say?
OK, if you've been off work with an illness or just had an accident, it'll be pretty obvious – but for the rest of us, it's a figure of speech that can leave us scratching our heads.
Just how do you reply to a "hope you're well" email?
We'll let you into a little secret here: they probably aren't that interested in whether you're well or not. It's used as an easy opening to an email to provide a bit of personality and break through the formal barrier.
It's small talk with a proper purpose. But if someone asks how you are, it's polite to provide a little response. So, here's how to create a “hope you're well” reply email.
If someone says, "I hope you are doing well," there are two ways to take it. It all depends on how it ends.
The first is a statement. It's saying: "I hope you're well, but I don't really mind if you're not." You'll typically send this to someone you don't know.
The second is a question. Again, there's an assumption here that there's a reason why you wouldn't be OK. (You've been unwell, had some sad news, etc.)
Can you see the difference?
Hope you're well is an easy opening to any email (cold email, customer email, complaint email, etc.), but it can also have a purpose.
In either case, you'll need to acknowledge it. It's also polite to ask how they're doing, too.
After that, your response depends on your relationship. If you don't know them (or this is part of professional correspondence), acknowledge it and fire a "how are you doing?" right back at them.
If you know them, you can open up and be honest. Of course, you may want to let off steam or explain your situation. But an "I'm fine, thanks; how are you?" can work just fine.
If someone hits you with a "hope you're well" in an email, you're going to need to respond – but keep messages short. Let's be honest; nobody likes writing or reading them.
Here is a selection of formal and informal stock phrases that you can use to reply to a hope you're doing well message:
Formal responses:
Informal responses:
These are some of the many thousands of ways you could answer this common question. Our advice is to go with what you feel!
We're making great progress! Now it's time to put what we've learned into practice. Here 5 reply samples you can send any time someone asks if you're well.
If someone you don't know, haven't met before, or have a formal relationship with, begins a message with "hope you're doing well," here's how to respond formally.
Dear (Recipient's name),
Thank you for your message. I'm doing great, thanks, how about you?
(Reply to the rest of the email, add details, etc.)
Informal replies don't have to be funny (but the next one is. ). So we've just acknowledged it and got straight to the rest of the message.
Hi (Recipient's name),
Hey, thanks for asking. I'm well, and you?
(Reply to the rest of the email, add details, etc.)
Can't wait to hear from you!
(Your name)
Now's where the fun starts. If you've received an email from a friend, colleague, or someone you know, use your inspiration and imagination. Just be sure to only send this type of message to someone you know (your boss may disapprove!).
Hello (Recipient's name),
Thanks for your message. Sadly, this has been the worst week of my life. Only joking; I'm great, thanks. How are you doing?
(Reply to the rest of the email, add details, etc.)
(Your name)
Here's a message with no messing. This is a simple example reply when someone wishes you "have a nice day" in an email.
Hi (Recipient's name),
I'm really well, thanks. How are you?
(Reply to the rest of the email, add details, etc.)
This is a short reply sample (just like this paragraph.)
Hi (Recipient's name),
I'm great. How are you?
(Reply to the rest of the email, add details, etc.)
(Your name)
Thanks for reading this whistle-stop tour through the best way to respond to a "hope you're well" message.
Remember that "hope you're well" is a well-worn figure of speech, so don't spend too much time crafting a reply.
Instead, say thanks, respond, and move on to the meat of your message.
Supercharge your communication with Flowrite
Write emails and messages faster across Google Chrome.
Email format guide — 6 examples & templatesLearn how to format emails and get your point across in a professional manner by checking out these 6 common email formats.
10 best “I hope this email finds you well” alternatives and synonyms with example emailsUse these “I hope this email finds you well” alternatives and synonyms to send better emails and get more replies.
