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Out of office message generator: email, voicemail and text

The short answer

A good out of office message says you’re away, when you’ll be back, and who to contact if it can’t wait. Keep it short and leave out anything you wouldn’t want a stranger to know. Choose your reason and tone below, and this free tool writes the email automatic reply, a voicemail greeting and a text auto reply to match.

Going away, closing for a holiday or just slammed? Get an out of office message that sounds like you, for email, voicemail and text, so customers know what happens next.

Your details

The messages update as you type.

Your messages

Email

Email automatic reply

Paste into Outlook’s Automatic Replies or Gmail’s vacation responder.

Subject: Out of office

Hi, Thanks for your message. I'm away on vacation and not checking messages as often as usual. I'll get back to you when I'm back. Thanks, [your name or business]

30 words

Voicemail greeting

Voicemail greeting

Record it before you go and change it back when you return.

You've reached [your business]. I'm away on vacation and not checking messages as often as usual. I'll get back to you when I'm back. Please leave your name, your number and what you need after the tone.

37 words · about 15 seconds to read aloud

Text message

Text auto reply

For a business phone that can answer texts while you’re away.

I'm away on vacation and not checking messages as often as usual. I'll get back to you when I'm back.

101 characters · fits in 1 text

How it works

  1. Pick why you’re away and the tone you want: friendly, formal or short.
  2. Add your name, your business, the day you’re back and who to reach meanwhile.
  3. Copy the email, voicemail and text versions. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

What to put in an out of office message

  • That you’re away or closed
  • The day you’re back, or when you’ll reply
  • How often you’ll check messages, if at all
  • Who to contact if it can’t wait, after asking them first

Leave out travel plans and personal details: an automatic reply goes to anyone who writes, including strangers. For everyday missed calls and after-hours greetings, use the voicemail greeting generator.

Common questions

What should an out of office message say?
Say you’re away, when you’ll be back and who to contact if it can’t wait. Two or three sentences is plenty.
How do you professionally say out of office?
Try “I’m out of the office until Monday, December 1, with limited access to email. For anything urgent, please contact Sam at (518) 555-0142.” Choose the Formal tone above to get one with your details.
What is a good out of office status message?
Keep it to one line with the date you’re back and who to contact: “Out until Dec 1. For urgent items, contact Sam.” Status messages in chat apps show to your whole team, so leave out personal details.
How do I set an out of office message in Outlook?
In Outlook, open File, then Automatic Replies (in newer versions, Settings, then Accounts, then Automatic replies). Turn it on, choose the dates, paste your message and save. You can set a separate message for people inside and outside your organization.
How do I set a vacation reply in Gmail?
In Gmail, open Settings, then See all settings, then General. Scroll to Vacation responder, turn it on, set the dates, paste your message and save.
What’s a short out of office message?
“I’m out of the office and back on Monday, December 1. For anything urgent, reach Sam at (518) 555-0142.” Choose the Short tone above to get one with your details.
What do I say when my business closes for a holiday?
Name the holiday, say when you reopen and tell people how to leave a message. Choose “Closed for a holiday” above, then change your voicemail and email the day before you close.
Does an out of office message answer phone calls?
No. A voicemail greeting tells callers you’re away, but they still have to leave a message and wait. If a call can’t wait, someone has to pick up.

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