Pre-written, polished out-of-office message templates for every situation. Copy and paste straight into your email, edit if you want, send.
An out of office message template states that you are away, gives the dates, says when you will reply and names a contact for urgent matters. Use the general out of office message templates below, or pick your situation from the list. Updated 2026.
| Situation | Template | Typical tone |
|---|---|---|
| Vacation | Vacation templates | Warm, dated |
| Business travel | Business travel templates | Honest about slower replies |
| Parental leave | Maternity leave templates | Clear, long-absence |
| Holiday | Holiday templates | Short, seasonal |
| Humor | Funny out of office messages | Casual workplaces only |
| Best of | 25 best out of office messages | All situations |
Three polished vacation auto-replies - formal, warm, and brief. The defaults that work for most pros.
Read templates → → Parental leaveLong-absence templates that handle the "when am I back?" question gracefully without over-promising.
Read templates → → SabbaticalFor the rare and beautiful occasion. Sets clear boundaries, preserves the relationship.
Read templates → → Medical leaveHandles the privacy line. Says enough, doesn't overshare. Routes urgent things appropriately.
Read templates → → ConferenceFor events. Acknowledges spotty connectivity, doesn't promise quick replies you can't deliver.
Read templates → → BereavementBereavement out of office message examples for a death in the family: standard, return date unknown, and brief.
Read templates → → Best ofThe best out-of-office messages for vacation, parental leave, sabbatical, conference, and more, 25 polished examples categorized by tone and situation.
Read templates → → Business TravelFree business travel out-of-office message templates.
Read templates → → Court VacationFree court vacation out-of-office message templates for attorneys.
Read templates → → Funny12 funny out-of-office message examples that get the laugh without burning your professional credibility.
Read templates → → Half DayCopy-paste half day out of office messages for a morning or afternoon off, a doctor visit, or half-day leave.
Read templates → → HolidayFree holiday out-of-office message templates for Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year, and other holidays.
Read templates → → Jury DutyFree jury duty out-of-office message templates.
Read templates → → Maternity LeaveFree maternity leave out-of-office message templates.
Read templates → → Mental Health DayFree mental health day out-of-office message templates.
Read templates → → Military LeaveFree military leave out-of-office message templates for service members on active duty, deployment, or training.
Read templates → → Paternity LeaveFree paternity leave out-of-office message templates.
Read templates → → Summer HoursFree summer hours out-of-office message templates.
Read templates → → Tax SeasonFree tax season out-of-office message templates for CPAs, accountants, and tax pros.
Read templates → → WeddingFree wedding out-of-office message templates for your wedding week and honeymoon.
Read templates → → Winter BreakFree winter break out-of-office message templates for the year-end office closure.
Read templates → → Working RemotelyFree working-remotely out-of-office message templates.
Read templates → → CustomNeed something different? Use our free generator - five tones, eight reasons, instant output.
Open the generator →Every template here ends with "for urgent matters, contact X." But what if X isn't the right person for every kind of urgent matter? Pro routes by issue type - roof leak goes to your roofer, court deadline goes to your senior partner, deliverable due goes to your design lead. Three minutes to set up. $9.99/month.
The right template depends on three things: how long you'll be gone, who's most likely to email you, and what tone matches your relationship with them. A two-day conference doesn't need the same setup as twelve weeks of parental leave. A formal cold-prospect email needs a different reply than a colleague's check-in.
Whichever template you choose, customize these five things:
1. Specific dates. "Out from May 8 until May 21" beats "out until next week." 2. An urgent contact. A real route, not just "leave a message." 3. Honest reply timing. If you'll have 800 emails to answer, don't promise a 24-hour turnaround. 4. Brevity. Most OOO replies are too long. 100 words is enough. 5. No apology for being out. You're allowed to take time off. The reader doesn't need you to apologize for it.
For industry-specific message frameworks, see property managers, attorneys, CPAs, or consultants & agencies. Each industry's pain pattern is different, and so is the right OOO playbook.