A good resignation letter example does four things in a few lines: says you are resigning from your position, gives your last working day, thanks your employer briefly, and offers help with the handover. Below are seven complete samples for different situations, from a simple one-paragraph letter to a formal UK letter that refers to a contractual notice period. Each has an Open in generator button that loads the matching tone in the free resignation letter generator.

Before you send one, check your contract for the notice you owe. In the US, two weeks is the usual courtesy rather than a legal rule in most states; in the UK there is a statutory minimum. The details are in the notice section further down. All names and companies in the samples are fictional.

What every resignation letter needs

  • A clear statement that you are resigning, and from which role.
  • Your last working day (check your notice period first).
  • A short thank-you; no need to explain why you are leaving.
  • An offer to help with the handover, then your name and the date.

Simple resignation letter example

The simplest version works in almost any workplace. It is short enough to read in twenty seconds and says nothing you could regret later.

Simple resignation letter (concise)

For most jobs, when you want a short, neutral letter.

  • Concise tone
  • Simple
  • Any industry

Dear Ms. Patel,

Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as Office Administrator. My last day will be Friday, November 7, 2026.

Thank you for your support during my time here. I am happy to help train my replacement before I leave.

Sincerely,
Ryan Cooper

Formal resignation letter sample

A formal letter suits large organizations, public bodies and any role where the letter goes into an HR file. It includes your full details, the date, and a specific handover plan.

Formal resignation letter with handover plan

For corporate, government or regulated workplaces.

  • Formal tone
  • HR file
  • Handover

Daniel Kim
[email protected] | (555) 010-4471

October 27, 2026

Ms. Laura Chen
Finance Director
Westbrook Medical Group

Dear Ms. Chen,

Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as Senior Accountant at Westbrook Medical Group. In line with my notice period, my last working day will be November 10, 2026.

Thank you for the opportunities I have had over the past four years. I have especially valued the chance to lead the move to our new reporting system.

Before I leave, I will complete the October month-end close, document the reconciliation steps for each account I manage, and spend time with whoever takes over my work. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to make the transition smooth.

I wish you and the team continued success.

Sincerely,
Daniel Kim

Two weeks notice letter example

In the US, two weeks is the common amount of notice. SHRM says "Two weeks is the standard notice period," while noting that "most states follow the employment-at-will doctrine," so it is usually a custom rather than a legal requirement. Check your contract or employee handbook. A dedicated two weeks notice letter tool has more variations.

Two weeks notice letter (formal)

For US jobs where two weeks is the expected courtesy.

  • Formal tone
  • US
  • Two weeks

Dear Mr. Alvarez,

I am writing to give you two weeks' notice of my resignation from my role as Warehouse Associate at Delta Freight. My final day of work will be Friday, November 7, 2026.

I appreciate the training and flexibility you have given me over the past two years. During my last two weeks I will finish the current inventory cycle and show the new team member how I organize the returns area.

Thank you again for everything.

Sincerely,
Brianna Lewis

Resignation email example

Many people resign by email, especially in remote or hybrid jobs. The content is the same as a letter; add a clear subject line and keep the body short. If you can, tell your manager in person or on a call first, then send the email as the written record.

Resignation by email (friendly)

For remote roles or when your company handles notices by email.

  • Friendly tone
  • Email
  • Remote

Subject: Resignation - Mia Thompson

Hi Jordan,

As we discussed on our call this morning, I am resigning from my role as Content Designer. My last day will be November 14, 2026.

I have really enjoyed working with you and the team, and I am grateful for how much I have learned here, especially on the help center redesign.

Over the next three weeks I will finish the onboarding flow copy, write up my style notes, and hand my open tickets to Priya. Let me know if you would like anything else covered.

Thanks for everything,
Mia

UK resignation letter example with notice period

In the UK, Acas says that an employee who has worked for at least one month "must give a minimum of 1 weeks' notice," and that a contract or written statement "might say an employee needs to give more notice than the statutory minimum." Acas's own template asks your employer to confirm your last day. This sample follows that structure.

UK resignation letter referring to contractual notice (formal)

For UK employees whose contract sets a notice period.

  • Formal tone
  • UK
  • Notice period

27 October 2026

Dear Mr Hughes,

Please accept this letter as my resignation from my position as Customer Service Adviser.

Since my notice period is four weeks, I believe my last day will be 24 November 2026. Please let me know if that is incorrect.

I would also like to request payment for any holiday I have accrued but not taken by my last day.

Thank you for your support during my time with the company.

Yours sincerely,
Hannah Clarke

Resignation letter example with a reason (new job)

You do not have to give a reason. If you are leaving on good terms for a new role, one neutral sentence is fine. Keep details about the new employer or salary out of the letter.

Resigning for a new job (friendly)

For leaving a manager you get on with, for a new opportunity.

  • Friendly tone
  • With reason
  • Good terms

Dear Sarah,

I wanted to let you know that I have accepted a new position and am resigning from my role as Junior Developer. My last day will be November 21, 2026.

This was not an easy decision. I have learned a huge amount from you and the team, especially during the mobile app launch, and I will miss working with everyone.

I will make sure my current tickets are finished or handed over, and I am happy to write up notes on the payment integration before I go.

Thank you for your guidance and for giving me my first developer job.

Best wishes,
Leo Martins

Short notice resignation letter example

Sometimes you need to leave sooner than your notice period, for example for family or health reasons. Ask, do not assume: request an earlier date, explain briefly, and accept that your employer may need you to work your full notice. If you are on probation or have no written notice term, check what applies to you. Acas warns not to use a standard resignation template "if you believe you have no choice but to resign"; get advice first in that situation.

Requesting a shorter notice period (formal)

For when you need to leave earlier than your notice period.

  • Formal tone
  • Short notice
  • Request

Dear Mr. Okoye,

Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as Retail Supervisor. Because of a family matter that needs my attention, I would like to ask whether my last day could be November 3, 2026, earlier than my usual notice period.

I understand this may cause difficulty for the team, and I will do everything I can before then: completing next month's rota, briefing Grace on supplier orders, and leaving written notes on store opening and closing procedures.

Thank you for your understanding, and for the support you have given me.

Sincerely,
Amara Okafor

How much notice to give: US, UK and Indonesia

CountryRule or customSource
United States"Two weeks is the standard notice period," but most states are at-will, so it is usually a custom; your contract or policy may ask for moreSHRM
United KingdomAt least one week after one month of service; less than one month and no notice term means no notice required; contracts can require moreAcas
IndonesiaWritten resignation at least 30 days before the start date of resignation (PP 35/2021, Pasal 36 huruf i)JDIH BPK

GOV.UK's advice applies anywhere: "check your employment contract to find out your employer's policy on handing in notice." Acas also recommends putting any agreement about dates "in writing, for example in a letter or email." Writing in Indonesian? The surat pengunduran diri generator covers the Indonesian format.

Resignation letter format and template

Every example above follows the same format. Use it as a resignation letter template if you prefer to write from scratch:

  1. Your details and the date (for a printed letter; an email has these already).
  2. Greeting to your manager by name.
  3. Statement of resignation naming your job title.
  4. Last working day, ideally with a reference to your notice period.
  5. A short thank-you, one or two sentences.
  6. Handover offer with one or two specifics.
  7. Sign-off and your name.

What to leave out

  • Complaints about colleagues or management. Raise problems separately, through the right channel.
  • Salary or details of your new job.
  • Anything you would not want in your HR file for years.

Once the letter is sent, you may want to update your resume for what comes next. The resume builder and cover letter generator use the same no-sign-up approach.