Doing something for others—whether big or small—feels good. And when someone thanks you for it, the typical response is “you’re welcome.” It’s a way of acknowledging that “thank you,” and it’s a common phrase whether you’re in the workplace, at home, or at a café.
But in a professional setting, your work is often tied to doing things that benefit others. (For example, you may provide some much-needed context to someone so they can begin a project, or you may simply grab someone a water while you’re at the office snack area.) So the phrase “you’re welcome” could start to feel stale. And while it’s a reflexive response, it doesn’t always convey the tone or meaning you want.
That’s why it’s helpful to know some alternatives. Luckily, there are many words and phrases that could work in those situations.
Here are some examples of other ways to say “you’re welcome,” and how to use them in conversation.
14 ways to say ‘you’re welcome’
1 No problem / No worries: These phrases allow you to acknowledge someone’s thanks and imply that your action wasn’t a big deal and didn’t put you out in any way.
2 Anytime: This is a quick, casual way to let the other person know you’re open to helping them in the future.
3 My pleasure: This office-friendly phrase communicates that you were happy to help.
4 Happy to help: This communicates a spirit of camaraderie. This phrase is similar to “my pleasure,” but the key difference is that it’s more informal.
5 Certainly / Of course: These phrases show the person that you see the act of helping as inherent, suggesting that their “thank you” was unnecessary for that particular act (though it can still be appreciated).
6 Don’t worry about it: This shows you weren’t inconvenienced or don’t carry any ill will for helping out—though it doesn’t necessarily imply that you’re open to helping in that way again. “Don’t worry about it” may be appropriate if you’re entering a busy period and won’t be readily available to help in the same way.
7 You got it: This is a relaxed phrase that’s best reserved for those you’d consider friends (either in the office or outside of it).
8 It was nothing: Often, people say “thank you” for minor forms of assistance because it’s considered culturally polite and appropriate. This phrase could be useful in those situations. (But keep in mind that using it in a situation that does necessitate a “thank you” could come across as disingenuous.)
9 Let me know anytime I can help: If you want to make it clear that you’re happy to help in the future, this phrase is another useful option to respond to someone’s thanks.
10 You’re very welcome: This is a simple way to match someone’s enthusiasm when they say “thank you so much.”
11 Just returning the favor: This is especially useful in reciprocal relationships, like those between coworkers who don’t usually work together. It leaves the door open if you need to ask for help with something in the future.
12 Sure thing: This is a laid-back response to someone’s thanks.
13 No thanks necessary: This works well in situations where you’re doing something that’s part of your job description.
14 I’m sure you’d do the same for me: This shows you recognize that the other person would have taken the same action if your roles were reversed. It leans slightly more formal, although it could be used in a nonprofessional setting.
As with any phrase, it’s important to remember that these alternatives can imply a more casual or formal tone. So you’ll want to consider your audience when choosing how to say “you’re welcome” in different ways. For instance, you may say “certainly” or “my pleasure” when speaking with a manager or coworker, while “sure thing” or “no worries” may be seen as inappropriate in some work settings.
Ways to say ‘you’re welcome’ examples
Here are seven situations in which you could use these alternative ways to say “you’re welcome”:
1 Chatting with a close colleague or friend on Slack.
“Thanks for dropping off the HDMI cable for my presentation. I’d have been lost without it!”
“No worries!”
2 Emailing with your manager about a project they assigned to you.
“I really appreciate your efforts in getting this project to the finish line.”
“My pleasure.”
3 Talking to a former colleague that you consider to be a friend but don’t speak to regularly.
“Thank you so much for helping me find this new job.”
“I’m sure you’d do the same for me.”
4 Responding to your manager about filling a volunteer spot for the end-of-year company party.
“Thanks for volunteering to help organize this!”
“Happy to help!”
5 Messaging a colleague you occasionally collaborate with.
“Thanks so much for providing these specs ahead of the deadline. It really helps!”
“Just returning the favor.”
6 Talking to an acquaintance about a party they organized.
“Thanks again for bringing the appetizers!”
“No thanks necessary.”
7 Talking to your boss or a higher-up whom you want to impress.
“Thanks for stepping up to take on this assignment. I really appreciate it!”
“Let me know anytime I can help. I’m always looking for more ways to grow my skills and take on more leadership positions.”
