After-hours voicemail greeting examples (out of hours scripts)
Here are 16 after-hours voicemail greeting scripts you can copy and adapt for when your business is closed. They cover standard out of hours messages, greetings that include your opening hours, versions with an emergency option, and weekend scripts. Each one tells callers you are closed and what to do next. Replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
What makes a good after-hours voicemail greeting?
An after-hours greeting has one job: to tell callers you are closed, when you will be back and how to reach you. Done well, it stops callers feeling ignored and cuts down on repeat calls. Done badly, it leaves them guessing.
The best out of hours greetings:
- Open with the company name so callers know they have the right number.
- Say clearly that you are closed, without sounding abrupt.
- Give your opening hours so callers know when you reopen.
- Invite them to leave a name, number and message for a callback.
- Add an emergency number only if you genuinely offer out of hours cover.
Standard after-hours greetings
These straightforward scripts work for any business that is simply closed for the evening. Use them as your default out of hours message.
"Thank you for calling [Company name]. Our office is now closed. Please leave your name, number and a short message, and a member of the team will get back to you on the next working day."
"You have reached [Company name] outside our normal working hours. We are sorry we cannot take your call right now. Leave your details after the tone and we will return your call as soon as we reopen."
"Hello, you have come through to [Company name]. We are currently closed. Please leave your name and number, and we will be in touch first thing on the next working day."
"Thanks for calling [Company name]. The office is closed for the day. Leave us a message with your name and number and we will call you straight back when we are open again."
Greetings with opening hours
Including your opening hours sets expectations and reassures callers. Keep the hours to one short line so the message stays brief.
"Thank you for calling [Company name]. We are closed at the moment. Our opening hours are [opening hours]. Please leave your name, number and a brief message, and we will return your call during our next working hours."
"You have reached [Company name]. Our office hours are [opening hours], so we are unable to take your call right now. Leave your details after the tone and we will get back to you as soon as we reopen."
"Hello and thanks for calling [Company name]. We are open [opening hours]. Sorry to have missed you. Please leave a message with your name and number and we will be in touch on the next working day."
"You have come through to [Company name] outside our opening hours of [opening hours]. Leave your name, number and reason for calling, and a member of the team will ring you back when we are next open."
Greetings with an emergency option
If you provide genuine out of hours emergency cover, give callers a clear way to reach it. Only include this if someone really is available to answer that number.
"Thank you for calling [Company name]. Our office is now closed and will reopen [opening hours]. If this is an emergency, please call [emergency number]. For all other enquiries, leave your name and number and we will call you back on the next working day."
"You have reached [Company name] outside our normal hours. If you have an urgent issue that cannot wait, please call our emergency line on [emergency number]. Otherwise, leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we reopen."
"Hello, you have come through to [Company name]. We are closed at the moment. For emergencies only, please call [emergency number]. For everything else, leave your details after the tone and we will return your call shortly."
"Thanks for calling [Company name]. The office is closed. If this is a genuine emergency, please ring [emergency number] where someone is on call. For all other matters, leave your name and number and we will call you back during working hours."
Weekend greetings
A weekend message manages expectations over a longer gap. Tell callers you are closed until Monday and when they will hear back.
"Thank you for calling [Company name]. Our office is closed for the weekend. We reopen on Monday at [opening hours]. Please leave your name and number and we will return your call first thing on Monday."
"You have reached [Company name]. We are closed over the weekend and will be back in the office on Monday. Leave your details after the tone and a member of the team will be in touch as soon as we reopen."
"Hello and thanks for calling [Company name]. We are closed until Monday morning. Please leave a message with your name, number and reason for calling, and we will get back to you at the start of the next working week."
"Thanks for calling [Company name]. It is the weekend and the office is closed. We reopen Monday at [opening hours]. Pop your name and number in a message and we will ring you back as soon as we are open."
Frequently asked questions
What should an after-hours voicemail greeting say?
It should tell the caller you are closed, give your opening hours so they know when you reopen, and invite them to leave a name, number and message for a callback. If you offer emergency cover, include the separate emergency number. Keeping it clear and under 25 seconds stops callers feeling stranded.
Should I include opening hours in an out of hours greeting?
Yes. Telling callers your opening hours, such as Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, sets clear expectations and reduces repeat calls. They know exactly when you will be back and when to expect a reply, which is far more reassuring than simply saying you are closed.
How do I add an emergency option to an after-hours greeting?
Add one short line after the closed message, such as: If this is an emergency, please call [emergency number]. Only offer this if you genuinely have someone available to answer, and make the emergency number clear and easy to note down. For everyone else, point them to voicemail.
Do I need a separate greeting for weekends?
It helps. A weekend greeting can tell callers you are closed until Monday and when they will get a reply, which manages expectations over a longer gap. Many phone systems let you set time-based routing so the right greeting plays automatically on evenings and weekends without you switching it manually.
Can an after-hours greeting play automatically?
Yes. A cloud phone system with business-hours routing can play your daytime greeting during opening hours and switch to the after-hours greeting automatically every evening, weekend and bank holiday. That means callers always hear the correct message without anyone remembering to change it.
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