Out of office messages, written in seconds.

Pick a tone, add your return date and a backup contact, and get a ready-to-paste auto-reply — professional, funny, vacation, public holiday, or bereavement. Free, no signup, and nothing you type leaves your browser.

Your message

Ready to paste

Professional
Subject line

Message

Private by design

The message is generated locally in your browser. Names, dates, and contact details are never sent or stored anywhere — copy your reply and you're done.

Set it up

Turn on your auto-reply anywhere

Copy your message above, then switch on the automatic reply in your email client. Here is where the setting lives in Gmail, Outlook 365, and iPhone Mail.

Gmail

  1. Open Gmail, click the gear icon, then “See all settings”.
  2. On the General tab, scroll down to “Vacation responder”.
  3. Turn it on, set the first day (and optionally the last day), then paste your subject and message.
  4. Choose whether only your contacts receive it, then click “Save Changes”.

Outlook 365

  1. Click the gear icon, then “Account” → “Automatic replies” (in classic Outlook: File → Automatic Replies).
  2. Turn on automatic replies and set a start and end time so it switches off by itself.
  3. Paste your message — you can use one version for your organization and another for external senders.
  4. Click “Save”.

iPhone Mail

  1. Open Settings → Mail → Accounts and select your work (Exchange) account.
  2. Tap “Automatic Reply” and switch it on.
  3. Set an end date, paste your message, and save.
  4. For iCloud addresses, set the auto-reply at icloud.com instead: Mail → Settings → Auto-Reply.
Examples

An out of office message for every situation

The right auto-reply depends on why you're away and who is writing to you. These are the five situations the generator covers — and what each one sounds like.

Professional

“Hi, I’m currently out of the office and will return on Monday, July 6. I’ll respond to your email as soon as I can. For urgent matters, contact Sarah (sarah@example.com).”

Funny

“Hi! I’m out of the office, probably sipping coffee or pretending to be productive somewhere else. I’ll respond when I’m back on Monday, July 6.”

Public holiday

“Hello, I’m out of the office for the public holiday and will be back on Tuesday, June 16. Please expect a short delay in my response.”

Vacation

“Hi, I’m currently on vacation and will return on Monday, August 3. I’ll respond to your email as soon as possible after that.”

Bereavement

“Hello, I am currently out of the office due to a loss in my family and will be unavailable until Friday, June 19. I appreciate your patience during this time.”

What every message needs

  • A clear return date — the one thing every sender is looking for.
  • A backup contact for anything that can't wait.
  • A tone that fits your audience: customers get professional, teammates can get funny.
  • Brevity — two to four sentences is plenty.
FAQ

Out of office questions, answered

Common questions about writing auto-replies and setting them up in your email client.

What should an out of office message say?
Three things cover almost every situation: that you are away, when you will be back, and who to contact for urgent matters. Add a short reason (vacation, holiday, leave) if you are comfortable sharing it, and keep the whole message to a few sentences — people skim auto-replies.
How do I set up an out of office reply in Gmail?
Open Gmail settings (gear icon → “See all settings”), scroll to “Vacation responder” on the General tab, turn it on, set your dates, and paste in your subject and message. Gmail sends the reply at most once every four days to the same sender, so nobody gets spammed.
Should I include a backup contact in my auto-reply?
If anything genuinely urgent could land in your inbox while you are away, yes — name a colleague and include their email so senders are not stuck waiting. Always ask the colleague first, and skip the contact line entirely for short absences where everything can wait.
Is it okay to use a funny out of office message?
It depends on who emails you. A lighthearted auto-reply works well when most senders are colleagues or long-term clients who know your voice. If customers, prospects, or strangers regularly reach your inbox, stay professional — humor reads differently when someone is waiting on a support answer or a contract.
What should a bereavement out of office message say?
Keep it brief and only as personal as you want: that you are away for personal or family reasons, roughly when you expect to return, and who can help in the meantime. You owe no one details — “due to a loss in my family” or simply “for personal reasons” is enough.
Is this generator free? Where does my message go?
Completely free, no signup. Everything runs in your browser — the names, dates, and contacts you type are never sent or stored anywhere. Generate the message, copy it, and paste it into Gmail, Outlook, or your phone.

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