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How to write a resignation letter
A resignation letter only needs three things: the job you are leaving, the date you are leaving it, and a line that keeps the door open. Everything else is optional. This generator builds that structure for you, and the order below is the one that reads naturally to a manager who is skimming it on a busy morning.
- Type your name and contact details, then your job title, company and your manager or HR contact.
- Set the Last working day field. This is the one date that actually matters, so get it right before anything else.
- Pick the tone closest to your situation, such as Standard notice or Health or family reasons, and press Use starter text.
- Replace every [square bracket] with a real detail: a task name, a number, a person's name.
- Choose a template and an accent colour, check the page count, then download the PDF.
How much notice should I give before resigning?
Two weeks is the common minimum in jobs without a written contract that says otherwise. Many salaried roles in finance, government-adjacent work or management ask for 30 days, and some senior contracts run to 60 or 90. The number that matters is the one in your own offer letter or employee handbook, not a general rule, so check it first. Once you know the figure, count forward from today and put that date in Last working day. The letter then states the right effective date no matter which tone you pick.
| Situation | Typical notice | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| Standard, no contract clause | 2 weeks | State the date plainly, offer a handover |
| Contract specifies 30 days | 30 days | Reference the notice period, keep tone neutral |
| Senior or executive role | 30 to 90 days | Longer handover plan, named successor if possible |
| Health, family or urgent reason | As short as needed | Brief explanation, offer remote help if you can |
| During probation | Often 0 to 7 days | Keep it short, no justification required |
Can I resign with immediate effect?
Yes, and the Immediate or short notice tone in this tool is written for exactly that: leaving with no notice or only a day or two, usually because of a medical issue, a family emergency, or an unsafe or untenable workplace. Say so plainly and do not over-explain. Your employer may ask you to work out part of the usual notice period, or they may deduct pay in lieu depending on your contract, so read it before you send the letter if there is time. If there genuinely is not time, send the letter anyway and sort out the details afterward.
What goes in a short resignation letter versus a long one?
Most resignation letters run 80 to 200 words, shorter than a cover letter. A line stating the resignation and the date does the legal and practical job; everything past that is tone, not content.
| Part | What to write | Skip this if |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Job title, company, effective date, in one sentence | Never skip |
| Reason or thanks | One sentence, no detailed justification needed | Resigning during probation |
| Handover offer | Name one task you will finish or document | Immediate resignation with no time left |
| Closing | Thanks, well wishes, or just a sign-off | Never skip |
A manager reading dozens of these over the years notices when a letter pads a short message with extra paragraphs. Say what you need to say and stop.
Which tone or template fits my situation?
The tone changes the wording and the reason given; the template changes only the look of the page. Pick them independently.
| Tone | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Standard notice | Leaving on good terms with the usual notice period |
| Immediate, short notice | You cannot stay the normal notice period |
| Long tenure, with thanks | You have been there for years and want to say so |
| During probation | Leaving in the first few weeks or months |
| New job elsewhere | You already accepted another offer |
| Short, email style | A quick note after you already told your manager in person |
| Formal, government style | Public sector or any employer that expects formal wording |
For the page itself, Classic and Formal are the safest choices for conservative employers, Minimal and Elegant suit a short letter, and Tech or Modern fit startups and agencies that would find a stiff layout out of place.
Do I have to explain why I am resigning?
No. A resignation letter is not a performance review and it is not a complaint form. "For health reasons" or "to pursue a new opportunity" is a complete explanation in almost every company's eyes. If you plan to give feedback about the job, do it in an exit interview if one is offered, as a separate conversation from the letter itself. The letter's only job is to confirm, in writing, that you are leaving and when.
Mistakes that make a resignation messier than it needs to be
- Leaving out the effective date, which forces HR to chase you for it.
- Writing a long account of grievances instead of saving that for the exit interview.
- Sending the letter before telling your manager in person or on a call.
- Forgetting to ask about final pay, unused leave and benefits that end on a set date.
- Not keeping a copy. Save the PDF and the data file from this tool so you have a record of what was sent and when.
Moving on to a new job? Build a matching cover letter for the application, or put together a payslip record with the payslip generator if you need to document your final pay.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write a resignation letter?
State your job title, your company and the date you are leaving in the first sentence, then add one short paragraph of context or thanks and a closing line. Fill in the form on this page, pick the tone closest to your situation such as Standard notice or New job elsewhere, and the preview on the right builds the letter as you go.
How much notice should I give before resigning?
Two weeks is the common minimum where no contract says otherwise, though some notice periods run 30 or 60 days. Check your offer letter or employee handbook for the exact number, then set the Last working day field here so the letter states the correct effective date.
Can I resign with immediate effect?
Yes, pick the Immediate or short notice tone, written for leaving with no or very short notice, usually for a health, family or urgent personal reason. Your employer may still ask you to work part of the usual notice period or deduct pay in lieu, depending on your contract.
What should I say in a resignation letter for personal reasons?
You do not have to explain the reason in detail. The Health or family reasons tone keeps the letter brief, for example naming a medical issue or a family matter without going into specifics, which is normal and accepted.
Is a short resignation email acceptable?
Yes, for many office jobs a short, polite email does the job, especially once you have already told your manager in person. Pick the Short, email style tone, which drops the formal letterhead and keeps the message to two or three sentences.
Do I need to sign a resignation letter?
A typed name is enough for most companies, but some ask for a signed copy for their HR file. Upload a photo of your signature under Signature image and it is placed above your typed name in the PDF.
Will my resignation letter data be uploaded anywhere?
No. The letter is drawn in your browser and the PDF is made on your device, so your name, address and signature never leave your computer or phone.