20 Email Acronyms and Abbreviations to Memorize ASAP

Last week my manager emailed me this subject line (without anything else):

“Meeting changed 3pm to 4pm, same conference room NRN”

What the heck. Just a subject line? No body copy? NRN? So I emailed back, “Ok, sounds good. What does NRN mean?” His response:

“It means ‘no reply necessary’ ;)”

D’OH (insert Homer Simpson voice). I felt pretty dumb. Not wanting to make that mistake twice, I Googled common email acronyms. But there are HUNDREDS of them. Who has time to memorize all them? Not me.

But at the same time, no one wants to sounds like an idiot. So I compiled a list of the 20 most useful email acronyms.

Email Acronyms and Abbreviations

Learn them now and spare yourself the D'OH moments for later:

1. NRN - No Reply Necessary 

Indicates that no reply is necessary, which reduces email clutter from replies such as “okay sounds good!”

2. LET - Leaving Early Today

Informs coworkers (usually in group email) you’re leaving early, so they don’t miss you later if they need anything.

3. EOM - End of Message

Keeps all content in the subject line, which saves the recipient time since they don’t have to open the email.

4. PRB - Please Reply By 

Kindly asks the recipient to reply by a certain date and time. Avoids late responses for time-sensitive requests.   

5. HTH - Hope That Helps

Used when responding to someone. Typically when someone thanks you for your help.   

6. WFH - Working From Home

Notifies coworkers you’re working remotely that day.

7. TLTR - Too Long To Read

When someone sends a massive email, but you have little time, TLTR asks the sender to briefly summarize what they need.

8. TL;DR - Too Long; Didnt Read

When sending a massive email, it’s a courtesy to summarize what you need in one sentence, labeling it TL;DR.

9. Y/N - Yes or No?

Saves the recipient time by asking for only a yes or no answer; as it’s not necessary to respond beyond that.

10. OOO - Out of Office

Standard acronym for when you’re out of the office.  

11. EOD - End of Day

Means you’ll be sending something (or you’re asking for something) before the day ends.

12. EOW - End of Week 

Means you’ll be sending something (or you’re asking for something) before the week ends.

13. SFW - Safe For Work

Used when sending a file or article that sounds bad, but it really isn’t. Tells recipient it’s okay to open it.

14. LMK - Let Me Know

Informal way to end an email, asking recipient to let you know their opinion.

15. IMO - In My Opinion

When submitting feedback, a humble way to give feedback without sounding like a opinionated know-it-all.

16. BTW - By The Way

Typically sent after you forget to mention something in a previous email.

17. IDK - I Don't Know

Informal abbreviation typically used in body copy.

18. FWIW - For What It's Worth

A humble way to give feedback on something and not sound like a know-it-all.

19. FYI - For Your Information 

Used when adding a side note to your email.

20. TYT - Take Your Time

Used when you need feedback on something, but it’s not urgent.