Abbreviations and acronyms are found everywhere these days – and it’s no wonder! We are constantly texting and sending emails, and these shortcuts are faster and easier to type. But do you ever find yourself scratching your head when someone ends a message with RR or NRN?
No worries – with these 25+ abbreviations for emails, you’ll know exactly what’s expected!
By Alyssa SchmittReading an email and wondering what RR means? Our list of common email abbreviations has the answer!
What are the abbreviations used in emails?
With informal language used in all areas of life nowadays, there can be a lot of overlap between professional email abbreviations and casual text abbreviations. To help you navigate the alphabet soup of “FYI”s and “IMHO”s, we’ve put together a list of popular email abbreviations and their meanings, including email subject abbreviations.
Common email abbreviations
Here are 15 popular abbreviations used in emails – and sometimes even in texts. Use them to streamline your personal and business communications:
ASAP: As Soon As Possible
Used to request that something be done quickly, e.g., “Can you please confirm ASAP?”
BCC: Blind Carbon Copy
Used to send an email to additional recipients whose names and addresses are not visible to the other recipients. (For more information, see our explainer: CC vs. BCC in email)
BRB: Be Right Back
Used to let someone know you are away from your screen and will return soon. It’s typically a chat or text abbreviation, but you may see it in informal emails.
BTW: By the Way
Used to add a new idea or tangent, e.g., “Had a productive meeting with Sam earlier. He has a cool new phone BTW.”
ETA: Expected Time of Arrival or Estimated Time of Arrival
Used when discussing plans to travel or meet up, e.g. “We’ll be coming by train, ETA 9:00”
FWD: Forward
When you see this abbreviation at the beginning of the subject line, it means the email is being forwarded from another recipient.
FWIW: For What It's Worth
Adds an opinion or piece of information that may or may not be valuable, e.g., “FWIW I’m not sure it’s going to be very effective.”
FYI: For Your Information
Means no response or action is required, but the recipient may find the information useful, e.g., “FYI I mailed the file to Sales yesterday.”
HTH: Hope That Helps
Usually included at the end of a message where someone has answered a question or provided assistance.
IMO: In My Opinion
Indicates that what follows is a personal thought or opinion, e.g., “IMO it was never going to work.” Another version is IMHO – In My Humble Opinion.
Let: Let me know
This short form is used interchangeably with Lmk to request information or a reply.
Lmk: Let me know
Used if you would like a response or feedback, e.g., “Friday afternoon ok? Lmk”
PS: Postscript
This abbreviation dates back to the days of traditional letter-writing and is used to introduce an additional note or thought after the main body of the message.
RR: Reply Requested or Reply Required
Indicates that the recipient should reply to the email. The opposite is NRR – “no reply required.”
TL;DR: Too Long; Didn’t Read
Used in informal communications when you send a long message but know the recipient might not read the whole email. TL;DR is a funny, tongue-in-cheek way to introduce a summary of the main points, e.g., “TL;DR: Please make sure to RSVP by Friday otherwise you’ll lose your slot”
Professional email abbreviations
Although you may occasionally spot one of these 12 abbreviations in a text from a friend, they are most commonly used in business emails:
EOD: End of Day
Refers to the close of the business day, usually in the context of a deadline, e.g. “We’ll need your report EOD.”. It is often used interchangeably with COB – Close of Business.
EOM: End of Message
Used in an email subject line, it means that the entire message is in the subject line and there's no body text, e.g. “Subject: Thursday Sales meeting cancelled (EOM)”
FYA: For Your Action
Used if you would like the recipient to carry out a specific task, e.g., “FYA Feedback on slides needed by Friday.”
FYR: For Your Reference
Used to indicate that you are providing information that might be useful for the recipient, e.g., “Presentation attached FYR.”
NRN: No Reply Necessary
Tells your recipient that they don’t need to respond to the email.
NNTR: No Need to Reply
Like NRN, this means the recipient does not need to respond to your message.
OOO: Out of Office
Used to let people know you are not available due to being away for vacation, sick leave, etc., e.g., “Won’t be able to attend – OOO.”
PFA: Please Find Attached
Alerts the recipient to an attachment, e.g. “PFA Q3 Report”.
PRB: Please Reply By
Gives a deadline when a response is needed, e.g., “PRB Nov. 3.”
Re: Reply, Regarding
At the beginning of an email subject line, this abbreviation shows that the message is a reply to a previous message. However, in the body of an email, it can also be an abbreviation for “regarding,” e.g., “Reaching out re: Nov. sales meeting”.
WFH: Working from Home
Indicates you are working remotely, e.g. “WFH can’t come to lunch”.
Y/N - Yes or No
Used to show you only need a response of “yes” or “no” so the recipient won’t waste time drafting a long answer, e.g., “OK to loop in Sam Y/N?”
Fun fact: Did you know the word “email” is actually an abbreviation? Originally written with a hyphen, the “e” in e-mail is anabbreviation for “electronic” – electronic mail! You’ll see this “e” in other words for things we do online, like e-commerce and e-learning.
Now you know 27 common abbreviations used in emails! If there is an abbreviation you find particularly useful or would like explained, why not log in and leave us a comment? And if you still don’t have a mail.com account, sign up for free today!
