What To Write In A Congratulations Card

What to write in a congratulations card

Most congratulations cards fail in the same way. They say "congratulations" and then stop, because the person writing them ran out of things to say after the first word.

There's a structure that fixes it, and it takes four lines. Name the news, say why it doesn't surprise you, add one specific detail, then sign off warmly. That's the whole thing.

Below is the structure worked through, wording for the occasions people struggle with most, and the sign-offs that suit a colleague versus a close friend.

The card to write it in

Congratulations, new job and well done designs, blank inside with plenty of room for four proper lines.

Illustration of a smiling graduate in a cap and gown on a congratulations graduation card for him. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Him £3.87 Graduation card for her featuring a cheerful illustrated character wearing a black graduation cap and gown. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Her £3.87 Thank you and well done greeting card featuring a star design and the wording "You're a Star". You're a Star (Thank You or Well Done Card) £3.87 Personalised Hyrox congratulations card featuring an illustrated finisher medal with customisable race time and location. Personalised Well Done On The Hyrox Card (Well Done Card) £3.87 Cheers M'dears Congratulations Card Cheers M'dears Congratulations Card £3.75 Funny TikTok trend inspired new job greeting card with the text 'If You Asked Me On a Deeper Level'. If You Asked Me On a Deeper Level (New Job Card) £3.87

Shop congratulations cards

The four-line structure

  • Line one: name the news. "Congratulations on the new job."
  • Line two: say why it isn't a surprise. "Nobody who's worked with you is remotely shocked."
  • Line three: add one specific detail only you'd know. "You've wanted this since that awful project in March."
  • Line four: sign off with what happens next. "Drinks on you. Let us know when."

Opening lines that aren't just "congratulations"

  • What brilliant news.
  • Finally. Well deserved.
  • We heard, and we're delighted.
  • You did it, and nobody's surprised.
  • This is the best thing we've heard all month.

If you don't know them well

  • Congratulations on your new role. Wishing you every success in it.
  • Delighted to hear your news. Very best wishes.
  • Congratulations, and good luck with everything that comes next.

If you know them very well

  • You absolute legend. Congratulations.
  • Proud of you doesn't cover it. Go and enjoy this.
  • I've watched what this cost you. Congratulations, properly.

Sign-offs by relationship

  • Colleague: "Best wishes", "From all of us", "Well done again".
  • Friend: "Love", "So pleased for you", "Celebrate properly".
  • Family: "With all our love", "So proud", "Always in your corner".
  • Boss or client: "With warm congratulations", "Kind regards".

What to avoid

  • Don't make it about you. "We'll miss you so much" belongs in a leaving card, not this one.
  • Don't guess at the details. If you're not sure of the job title, leave it out.
  • Don't ask about money, and don't joke about it if you don't know them well.
  • Don't sign a group card with just your initial. Write one line, then your name.

Congratulations cards

Blank inside, with real room to write.

Illustration of two large pints of stout next to a tiny baby stout with text "Two's a couple, three's a family". Two's A Couple, Three's A Family (Guinness Congrats On The New Baby Card) £3.87 Congratulations greeting card for a boss promoted to police inspector, with text Congrats Boss Promotion to Inspector. Congrats, Boss! Promotion to Inspector Card £3.87 A congratulations greeting card for a female police officer's promotion to Inspector, reading 'Congrats, Ma'am!'. Congrats, Ma'am! Promotion to Inspector Card £3.87 Illustration of a smiling graduate in a cap and gown on a congratulations graduation card for him. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Him £3.87 Graduation card for her featuring a cheerful illustrated character wearing a black graduation cap and gown. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Her £3.87 Greeting card featuring a cartoon illustration of a pint of dark Guinness stout wearing a black graduation cap. Cheers! Congrats On The Graduation (Guinness Graduation Card) £3.87 Police promotion greeting card featuring the text Congrats Sir Promotion to Inspector in a professional blue design. Congrats, Sir! Promotion to Inspector Card £3.87 Congratulations card for a newly qualified nurse with a modern 'Congrats on becoming a Nurse' design. Congrats On Becoming A Nurse New Job Card £3.87

Well done cards

For exam results, driving tests and everything else worth marking.

Thank you and well done greeting card featuring a star design and the wording "You're a Star". You're a Star (Thank You or Well Done Card) £3.87 Personalised Hyrox congratulations card featuring an illustrated finisher medal with customisable race time and location. Personalised Well Done On The Hyrox Card (Well Done Card) £3.87 Celebrate That SLAAAAAY! Well Done Card Celebrate That SLAAAAAY! Well Done Card £3.87 Illustration of a smiling graduate in a cap and gown on a congratulations graduation card for him. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Him £3.87 Graduation card for her featuring a cheerful illustrated character wearing a black graduation cap and gown. Congratulations! You Did It Graduation Card For Her £3.87 You're Awesome Retro Well Done Card You're Awesome Retro Well Done Card £3.75 Torn Up L Plate Well Done Driving Test Card Torn Up L Plate Well Done Driving Test Card £3.87 Modern greeting card with 'Mama, Kudos For Doing That' written in elegant black font on a white card with an envelope. Mama, Kudos For Doing That (Well Done Card) £3.87

New job and promotion cards

The two occasions people write congratulations cards for most.

Congratulations greeting card for a boss promoted to police inspector, with text Congrats Boss Promotion to Inspector. Congrats, Boss! Promotion to Inspector Card £3.87 A congratulations greeting card for a female police officer's promotion to Inspector, reading 'Congrats, Ma'am!'. Congrats, Ma'am! Promotion to Inspector Card £3.87 Police promotion greeting card featuring the text Congrats Sir Promotion to Inspector in a professional blue design. Congrats, Sir! Promotion to Inspector Card £3.87 Funny TikTok trend inspired new job greeting card with the text 'If You Asked Me On a Deeper Level'. If You Asked Me On a Deeper Level (New Job Card) £3.87 A square greeting card celebrating a promotion to Police Sergeant, with humorous text for a newly promoted officer. Congrats, Sarge! Promotion to Police Sergeant Card £3.87 New Job Card (Didn't Check Your Search History) New Job Card (Didn't Check Your Search History) £3.75 New job congratulations card featuring the typography "Corporate Girly Reporting For Duty". Corporate Girly Reporting For Duty (New Job Card) £3.87 Congratulations card for a newly qualified nurse with a modern 'Congrats on becoming a Nurse' design. Congrats On Becoming A Nurse New Job Card £3.87

Where to shop next

Frequently asked questions

How long should a congratulations message be?

Four short lines is plenty. Anything longer and it starts reading like a reference. One specific detail is worth more than three paragraphs of general praise.

What do you write in a group congratulations card?

The organiser writes one line at the top from everyone, then each person adds a short line and their full name, not just initials. Leave the bottom right corner for whoever's collecting it to write last.

Can I just write "congratulations"?

You can, and it's better than not sending anything. But adding a single specific sentence turns a card they'll bin into one they'll keep on the desk for a month.