Informal Letter Format: 5 Key Tips for Success in 2025

An informal letter format includes your address and date in the left corner at the top, then a friendly greeting such as “Dear [Name].” The body consists of an introduction, the body paragraphs with the substantial message, and conclusion paragraphs to extend best wishes, in addition to emotional wording. The letter is often signed off with a more personal closer (e.g., “Yours lovingly,” or “Regards,”) along with your signature.

What is an Informal Letter?

An informal letter is a personal letter written to someone close to whom the individual may or may not have a professional relationship. These letters primarily address friends, family, or acquaintances. The purpose of these letters is usually to inform others about what is going on with them, and they are also used to ask others how they are doing.

It is a friendly way of acknowledging others and casually checking in. The letter need not contain important information. It could be just a symbol of thinking about someone in one’s daily life.

Importance of Writing an Informal Letter

1. Personal Connection – Informal letters help strengthen relationships by allowing you to express emotions, thoughts, and personal updates in a heartfelt way.
2. Casual Communication – Unlike formal letters, informal letters have a relaxed tone, making sharing everyday experiences, stories, and casual conversations easy.
3. Creative Expression – Writing an informal letter gives you the freedom to add humor, storytelling, and a personal touch, making the letter more engaging and enjoyable.
4. Emotional Support – A handwritten or well-thought-out informal letter can provide comfort, encouragement, and emotional support to friends and family during happy or difficult times.
5. Memorable Keepsake – Since informal letters often hold sentimental value, they can be cherished and revisited as precious memories in the future.

How to Write an Informal Letter?

Like any letter, there is a format to write an informal letter in English. There are a few easy guidelines that you can follow to be able to write impressive informal letters.

• Address and Date:
  To start an informal letter, write your full address on the left so the receiver can reply. Include your country if writing internationally (e.g., 29, NBC Garden, Coimbatore, India – 641053). Next, add the date below the address, using formats like 15/11/2021 or 15th November 2021.
• Forms of Greeting/Salutation:
  In informal letters, address friends and family with terms like Dear, My dear, or Dearest, using their names, pet names, or relationship (e.g., Dear Uncle, Dearest Rosy). For older or respected friends, use Mr., Mrs., or Ms., like Dear Mr. Reddy.
• Introduction and Body of the Letter:
  Start your informal letter with a friendly introduction, like asking about the recipient’s health (“Hope you’re in the pink of health”). Then, explain your reason for writing in a casual, personal tone. For older recipients, keep the language respectful.
• Conclusion:
  End the informal letter on a friendly note. Use words so that the recipient feels like they have had a wonderful time chatting with you. Make sure you let them know that you will be awaiting their response to your letter.
• Forms of Subscription/Signature:
  In informal letters to close friends or relatives, end with phrases like Yours affectionately, With love, or Your loving friend, followed by your first name. For acquaintances addressed formally (Dear Mr./Mrs.), use Yours sincerely or Kind regards.

Difference between an Informal Letter and a Formal Letter

1. Meaning of the letter:

People write formal letters for professional purposes. The reader is someone of authority. So, the tone of the letter must be formal at all times.

An informal letter is very different from a formal letter in tone. It has a friendly aura to it. The words used and the purpose is always casual. There is no compulsion for an informal letter to have a specific purpose. A person can write an informal letter just because they feel like writing one.

2. Format of the letter:

Formal letters generally follow a standard format that cannot be changed drastically. Elements such as date, address, and salutations are pre-determined and must be used.

However, in the case of informal letter formats, there is no such hard and fast rule. Informal letter format is rough and needn’t necessarily be followed. As the letter is read by someone known, the matter discussed is personal. One can custom-write the letter, break paragraphs, and insert anything desired. Only a basic informal letter format needs to be followed.

3. Written to:

A formal letter is for professional purpose. They could be business letters written to clients, partner companies, or authorities to register complaints and is always written in the third person.

An informal letter can be in the first, second, and third person. The letter is often addressed to friends, family, and other known relatives.

4. Language and sentences:

Formal letters are written in passive voice. Informal letter writing formats use the active voice. The sentences in formal letters may be long and complex, without contractions and abbreviations.

An informal letter is often short, simple, and for personal communication. It can be long or concise, depending on the writer’s whims. One can use idioms, metaphors, contractions, and abbreviations in an informal letter.

5. Size:

Formal letters are often to the point and only discuss the relevant matter. There is no beating around the bush, thus keeping it concise. An informal letter can be as long or short as desired. One can compose a long letter if there is a lot to communicate.

Read more: Formal Letter Format For Your Daily Use

The Need for an Informal Letter

There can be many contexts and needs for an informal letter. However, it is mostly employed for personal communication. The following are reasons we should be familiar with the informal letter format:

1. Personal communication: Personal communication is an important aspect of development. Maintaining informal relationships is as important as connecting in the business world. Communicating with friends and family and staying in touch can be difficult when busy.
   
   However, taking time to write a letter gives one a fresh perspective. A personal letter is guaranteed to make the recipient feel cared for. A letter is a token of affection when meeting in person is impossible.

2. To improve language skills and creative expression: Developing language skills is one of the most significant parts of growing up. Every desire and every need is met through effective communication. One generally requires language to communicate. The habit of writing letters can develop language skills in a person.
   
   Phrasing sentences and writing down thoughts is also good brain exercise. The ability to express oneself creatively can be boosted by letter writing format. Composing sentences by untangling complex thoughts into words is good for the brain.

3. To enhance handwriting: Writing undoubtedly improves handwriting. The more one writes, the better their writing becomes. The point of teachers driving students worldwide to write is to improve their writing.
   
   If writing meaningless words and sentences in practice books is not exciting, letters might be more enjoyable. Writing letters frequently provides ample coordination to write perfectly. 

Components of Informal Letter Format

There are numerous formal and informal letter formats. At present, blocked/fully blocked informal letter formats are in use. In these, everything is left aligned.

The components of an informal letter format are as follows:

1. Heading

The first component of an informal letter format is the heading. This usually consists of the address line. Each address line is written below the other without making it a long sentence. The address of the sender is written first. The alignment followed in all standard letters is left.

The sender’s address must include pertinent details so that the receiver can write back if needed. Complete addresses with pin codes must be included. When writing to a different country, the country must be specified. The address is followed by the date of writing.

2. Greeting

The greetings part of a letter follows the heading. In an informal letter, one can address the recipient as ‘dear’, their name, or both. For example, if the letter is to one’s friend named Steve (nicknamed Stevie), one can use the following greetings:

• Steve
• Dear Steve
• Dear
• Stevie
• Dear Stevie

All these forms are acceptable in the informal letter format. If the letter is to Steve, an uncle, one could include that in the greeting:

• Dear Uncle Steve
• Dear Mr Steve
• Dear Uncle Stevie

This is a matter of personal choice. One can use a greeting based on how the person is generally addressed. Other forms of greeting used are:

• Dearest XYZ
• My dear XYZ
• Dear

Greetings in the informal letter format are quite flexible. If it is a friend or a sibling, slang or nicknames for the person are acceptable. When the letter is to elder relatives, Mr, Ms, or Mrs is used as applicable.

3. Body

The body of the informal letter format is the third component that follows the greetings. Also called the main text, it consists of all the text the receiver should read.

In a friendly letter, the initial paragraph asks how the person is doing. A line should be skipped to make paragraphs. Common questions include asking about health, life in general, etc. One can ask about their studies and work if it is a student or a professional. For example:

• I hope you are doing well.
• Hope you are excelling in your work as usual.
• How is your health?
• I hope this letter finds you in the best of your health.
• Complimentary close

The conclusion of the informal letter format is a significant part of the greeting. Short words should be used, and they should end with a comma. The last line should reflect that the writer enjoyed writing the letter. It should have a pleasant tone so the conclusion doesn’t feel sad. One can even include that they are awaiting a response to the letter.

Informal complimentary closes used in the informal letter format are as follows:

• All my love,
• Kindest regards,
• Best wishes; eagerly waiting for your response,
• Yours truly,
• Take care,
• See you soon,
• Can’t wait to hear from you. Yours truly,
• Signature line

One can write their name or use a signature in the signature line of the informal letter format. The signature line should follow the complimentary close, leaving one or two spaces. One should address themselves as Mr, Mrs, or Ms as applicable. Nicknames may also be used.

Format of Informal Letters

Sample 1

Kartika Palace,
Sector 126,
Noida – 201304
Uttar Pradesh

24 February 2024

Dearest Hana,

I was overjoyed to learn you had graduated from high school and fulfilled your dream. I so wish I could personally congratulate you.

Hard work pays off! I have seen you work hard to achieve it all, and guess what? You did it, girl! I am so proud of you. I know you were scared, but I was always convinced you would pass with flying colours. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to attend the celebratory party.

I look forward to seeing you soon. Keep up the good work. Your prospects are excellent! My family expresses their sincere happiness for you, too.

With much love and regards,
Yours truly,
Pallavi

Sample 2:

44, ABQ Complex,
19th Cross Road
Chennai – 600006
Tamil Nadu

19 August 2024

Dear Mayug,

Hope you are doing well. How is work? Still the best employee?! I hope your parents are doing well. How are Timon and Simba? I miss their sloppy kisses so much!

I am inviting you to my birthday party on 8th September 2024. I have planned it at our family farmhouse. The party starts at 5 pm, and I expect to see you there. If you have questions about the venue, call Dada or me. I can also arrange for you to reach the train station.

It has been so long since we met, and I hope you can make it to the party. Can’t wait to see you again!

Take care.
Love and regards,
Komal

Sample 3:

B- 46, Sector 18,
Nehru Place,
Delhi – 400128
India

28 October 2024

My dear Shefali,

I hope everything is going well for you and your family. You know that my start-up strategy has taken up much of my time. We hardly get to spend meaningful time with our entire family. I have therefore organized a lavish gathering for us all.

Please visit me on 5th November 2024. Our whole family will be present, and we will relive moments we enjoyed during school days. I hope to see you and do the crazy things we used to do, like prank our cousins. The weather in Delhi is amazing, as usual. You will love it for sure.

I am waiting for your positive reply soon. See you soon!

Lovingly,
Aakarsh

Sample 4:

C-44, Sector 126
Raipur Village
Noida – 201303
Uttar Pradesh

2 April 2024

My dear Catherin,

I hope you are well. Mother and I have both been worried about you. Knowing you had a high fever and were being treated in the hospital was devastating.

Despite our best efforts, we could not visit you because of travel limitations. As the summer break has already begun, I was considering spending time with you in Noida. I want to show you around the city and meet my friends and family. Let’s go out and eat some food off the street! We can also relax close to the Hauz Khas Lake, maybe even hit the clubs.

Just the prospect of spending the holidays with you thrills me. I eagerly await your response.
Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you.

Yours truly,
Suraj

Conclusion

The proper informal letter format helps you communicate warmth, sincerity, and authenticity. These qualities matter more than ever in 2025. Following a simple structure and adding your unique voice can strengthen relationships and make your messages memorable. Keep practicing, and you’ll see that informal letter writing becomes a valued way to connect with loved ones, regardless of the distance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)