Is "Noted With Thanks" Rude?

What Does "Noted With Thanks" Mean in Professional Emails?

"Noted with thanks" is a very common phrase used in business emails, particularly in Singapore, Hong Kong, and other parts of Asia.

It is a shorthand way of saying: "I have received your message, understood the content, and I appreciate you sending it."

It is typically used as a closing phrase or a standalone reply to confirm receipt of information, such as a report, a schedule update, or a completed task.

For example:

Sender: "Here is the updated meeting agenda for tomorrow." Receiver: "Noted with thanks."

Is "Noted With Thanks" Rude or Dismissive?

In standard Asian business contexts, "noted with thanks" is NOT intended to be rude. It is meant to be efficient, professional, and polite. The user is checking off a box to let you know they have the information.

However, to some native English speakers (especially in the US, UK, or Australia), it can feel abrupt, robotic, or dismissive.

Why?

1. It is passive: It doesn't say "I noted it," just "Noted." This removal of the subject ("I") can make it feel distant.
2. It is a conversation stopper: It signals "I have heard you, now stop talking" to some ears.
3. It feels bureaucratic: It sounds like something a system administrator would write, not a human colleague.

When "Noted With Thanks" Sounds Impolite — Context Matters

The perceived politeness depends heavily on who you are sending it to and what the email is about.

It is usually SAFE when:

• Confirming receipt of routine admin (e.g., "The server maintenance is done.")
• Replying to subordinates who just need a sign-off.
• Emailing within Singapore/Asia where this is standard culture.

It can sound RUDE when:

• Someone shared bad news. (Reply: "Noted with thanks" → Sounds unfeeling.)
• Someone put in a lot of unexpected effort. (Reply: "Noted with thanks" → Sounds unappreciative.)
• Replying to a senior client or boss in a Western firm. (They might expect a full sentence.)

Is "Noted With Thanks" Grammatically Correct?

Strictly speaking, it is a sentence fragment. A full sentence would be: "Your message is noted with thanks." Or: "I have noted your message with thanks."

However, in business email (which is often conversational), sentence fragments are acceptable. The issue is rarely grammar; it is tone.

10 Professional Alternatives to "Noted With Thanks"

If you want to sound warmer, more human, or more specific, try these alternatives:

1. "Thanks for the update." (Simple and universally safe)
2. "Received, thank you." (Clear confirmation of receipt)
3. "Thanks for letting me know." (Warmer tone)
4. "Thanks for sending this over." (Acknowledges the action)
5. "Understood, thanks." (Confirming comprehension)
6. "Got it, thanks." (Casual, good for internal teams)
7. "This is helpful, thank you." (Shows appreciation for the content)
8. "I've received this and will review it." (Action-oriented)
9. "Thanks for flagging this." (Good for alerts or warnings)
10. "Appreciate the update." (Professional and polite)

Email Examples: How to Acknowledge a Message Without Sounding Cold

Scenario 1: A colleague sends you a completed report.

❌ Cold:

Noted with thanks.

✅ Warm:

Thanks, Sarah. I’ve received the report and will take a look shortly.

Scenario 2: A client informs you they will be late for a meeting.

❌ Cold:

Noted with thanks.

✅ Professional:

Thanks for letting me know. See you eagerly when you arrive.

Scenario 3: IT Support confirms a ticket resolution.

❌ Standard:

Noted with thanks.

✅ Better:

Thanks for fixing this so quickly.

Quick Guide: When to Use "Noted With Thanks" and When to Avoid It

Scenario	Verdict	Suggestion
High-volume admin emails	✅ OK	"Noted with thanks."
Internal SG/Asia team	✅ OK	"Noted with thanks."
US/UK Client	⚠️ AVOID	"Thanks for the update."
Someone did extra work	⛔ AVOID	"Thank you so much for handling this."
Sensitive/Bad news	⛔ AVOID	"Thanks for sharing this with me."