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Resignation Letter Example

Write a professional resignation letter in under a minute. Fill in a few details, pick a tone, and get a clean letter of resignation you can copy or download as a PDF — plus six copy-paste resignation letter examples below for every situation.

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What a resignation letter is — and what to put in it

A resignation letter is a short, formal notice telling your employer you are leaving your job and when your last day will be. It is not the place to renegotiate, vent, or write an essay. The best letter of resignation does three things: states that you are resigning, gives a clear final date, and leaves the relationship intact.

Most letters are well under one page. You do not need to explain why you are leaving, list grievances, or describe your next move. Hiring managers and HR keep this document on file, and it can surface years later when a future employer checks references — so the tone should be one you would be comfortable having read back to you. A clean, gracious resignation letter protects your reference, keeps the door open for a return, and makes the handover smoother for the team you are leaving behind.

At a minimum, a complete resignation letter includes: a dated heading, a salutation to your manager, an opening line that clearly states you are resigning from your position, your final working day, a sentence of thanks, an offer to help with the transition, and a courteous closing with your signature. The generator above assembles exactly that from the details you enter, and you can adjust the tone from professional to warm or brief depending on the relationship.

How to write a resignation letter in four steps

State that you're resigning

Open with one direct sentence: that you are resigning from your role, and your last working day. No build-up.

Thank them briefly

One or two sentences of genuine thanks for the opportunity or what you learned. Keep it sincere, not gushing.

Offer to help hand over

Offer to finish active work or train a replacement during your notice. This is what managers remember.

Close and sign

A courteous closing — "Sincerely" — your name, and the date. Send it as a PDF so there's a clean record.

Tell your manager directly first — in person or on a call — then send the written letter the same day so there is a dated record. Two weeks is the standard notice in the US; check your contract, because some roles expect more.

Six copy-paste resignation letter examples

Use any of these as a resignation letter template. Replace the bracketed details, or paste them into the generator above and switch the tone. Each one is a complete, send-ready resignation letter sample.

1. Standard two-week resignation letter

Dear [Manager name], I am writing to formally resign from my position as [Job title] at [Company], with my last working day being [date], two weeks from today. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the team. I have valued the experience and the people I worked alongside. I am committed to making this transition as smooth as possible and am happy to help train a replacement or document my current projects. Please let me know how I can help over the coming weeks. Sincerely, [Your name]

2. Short, simple resignation letter sample

Dear [Manager name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from [Job title] at [Company]. My last day will be [date]. Thank you for the opportunity. I'm glad to help with the handover before I leave. Best regards, [Your name]

3. Formal resignation letter

[Date] [Manager name] [Company] Dear [Manager name], I am writing to formally tender my resignation from the position of [Job title] at [Company], effective [date]. I am grateful for the professional opportunities and support I have received during my time here. To ensure a seamless transition, I will complete my outstanding responsibilities and provide thorough documentation of my work before my departure. Thank you for your understanding. I wish the organization continued success. Yours sincerely, [Your name]

4. Immediate resignation letter (no notice)

Dear [Manager name], I regret to inform you that I must resign from my position as [Job title] at [Company], effective immediately, due to [brief reason — e.g. personal circumstances]. I understand this is short notice and I apologize for any disruption. I am willing to answer questions remotely to help with the handover where I can. Thank you for your understanding. Sincerely, [Your name]

5. Warm, grateful resignation letter

Dear [Manager name], After a great deal of thought, I've decided to resign from my role as [Job title] at [Company]. My last day will be [date]. It's genuinely hard to write this. The past [time period] have shaped how I work and who I am professionally, and that's down to the mentorship and trust you and the team gave me. Thank you. I'll do everything I can over the next two weeks to set up whoever steps in to succeed. With gratitude, [Your name]

6. Letter of resignation with a reason

Dear [Manager name], I am writing to let you know that I am resigning from my position as [Job title] at [Company]. I have accepted a new opportunity that moves my career toward [field/goal], and my final day here will be [date]. This was not an easy decision. I'm thankful for everything I've learned and for the support of this team. I'll make sure my projects are documented and handed over cleanly before I go. Thank you for everything. Best, [Your name]

Common resignation letter mistakes

The most common mistake is over-explaining. You do not owe a detailed account of why you are leaving, and a long justification usually reads as defensive. The second is burning a bridge — venting about a manager, the workload, or pay in writing is permanent and travels. The third is getting the date wrong: be explicit about your last working day so payroll, benefits, and handover all line up. Finally, avoid resigning by surprise in writing alone; tell your manager directly first, then follow up with the letter. Keep it short, keep it kind, and keep a copy for your records.

Resignation letter FAQ

What should a resignation letter say?

It should state that you are resigning, give your final working day, thank your employer briefly, and offer to help with the transition.

Do I need to give a reason for resigning?

No. A simple statement is enough. If you include a reason, keep it short and positive.

Should I send a resignation letter by email or on paper?

Email is standard today. Speak with your manager first, then send the written letter the same day.

Can I resign effective immediately?

Yes. Use an immediate resignation letter when you cannot give notice, but keep it brief and respectful.

Is this resignation letter generator free?

Yes. You can generate, copy, and download a professional resignation letter with no account.

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