Ready-to-use answerphone messages for businesses, personal mobiles, and landlines — written for UK callers. Copy any script or hear it in a professional British voice.
For many callers — especially new customers — your answerphone message is the first impression of you or your business. The default network greeting ("the person you have called is not available…") tells them nothing and gives them no reason to leave a message. A clear, friendly answerphone message confirms they've reached the right number, tells them what to do, and makes a callback feel certain rather than hopeful.
Every script below follows the structure that works: confirm who you are, apologise briefly, ask for a name and number, and promise a callback. Replace the placeholders like [Your Name] and [Your Business] with your own details, copy the script, and record it — or click Hear This Script to listen to it read by one of our professional British voices.
Professional greetings for offices, shops, trades, and practices — including out-of-hours and bank holiday versions
Thank you for calling [Your Business]. We're sorry we can't take your call at the moment. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message after the tone, and we'll ring you back as soon as possible. Thank you.
Hello, and thank you for calling [Your Business]. You've reached us outside our opening hours, which are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm. Please leave a message after the tone, or email us at [email address], and we'll get back to you on the next working day.
Thank you for calling [Your Business]. All of our lines are busy at the moment. Your call is important to us, so please leave your name and number after the tone and one of the team will ring you back shortly. Thank you for your patience.
Hello, you've reached [Your Name] at [Your Business]. I'm out on a job at the moment, but leave your name, number, and a few details after the tone and I'll call you back today. For quotes, you can also text me on [mobile number]. Cheers.
Thank you for calling [Your Practice]. Our reception is currently closed. If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 999. For urgent out-of-hours care, call NHS 111. Otherwise, leave a message and our team will call you back when the practice reopens.
Thank you for calling [Your Business]. We're closed for the bank holiday and will reopen on [Date] at [Time]. Please leave a message after the tone, or visit [website], and we'll get back to you as soon as we're back. Thank you.
Turn any script on this page into a professional recording with British AI voices and optional background music.
Friendly, clear greetings for personal mobiles and work phones
Hi, you've reached [Your Name]. Sorry I've missed your call — leave your name and number after the tone and I'll ring you back as soon as I can. Thanks!
Hello, this is [Your Name]. I can't take your call right now, but your call is important to me. Please leave a message after the tone, or send me a text on this number, and I'll get back to you shortly.
Hi, you've reached [Your Name]'s work mobile. I'm probably with a client or driving at the moment. Leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I'll call you back within working hours. Thank you.
Hello, you've reached [Your Name]. I'm on annual leave until [Date] with limited access to my phone. For anything urgent, please contact [Colleague Name] on [Phone Number]. Otherwise, leave a message and I'll reply when I'm back.
Hi, this is [Your Name]. I can't get to the phone right now. You know what to do — name, number, quick message after the tone — and I'll ring you back. Thanks!
Hello, you've reached [Your Name]. I'm currently in meetings and unable to answer. Please leave a message with your name and number, and I'll return your call by the end of the day. Thank you.
Remember: 1571 answers when you're engaged as well as when you're out — so avoid "we're closed" wording unless you mean it
Hello, you've reached the [Family Name] household. We can't get to the phone right now, so please leave your name, number, and a short message after the tone, and we'll call you back. Thank you.
Thank you for calling [Your Business]. We're either on another call or away from the desk at the moment. Please leave your name and number after the tone and we'll ring you back as soon as we're free. Thank you.
Hello, you've reached [Your Name]. I can't take your call at the moment. If it's urgent, you can reach me on my mobile, [mobile number]. Otherwise, leave a message after the tone and I'll get back to you. Thank you.
Thank you for calling [Your Business]. Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. If you're calling within those hours, we're on another call — please leave a message and we'll ring you straight back. Outside those hours, we'll call you on the next working day.
Hello, you've reached [Your Name and Partner's Name]. We're probably in the garden or the kettle's on. Leave us a message after the tone and we'll ring you back. Thanks for calling!
Thank you for calling [Your Business]. Please leave your name, telephone number, and the reason for your call after the tone. We check messages regularly throughout the day and will respond as quickly as possible. Thank you.
Setting up a landline greeting? See our BT 1571 answerphone guide for the exact key presses.
The best answerphone messages answer three questions in under 25 seconds: Who have I reached? Why can't they answer? And what should I do now? Get those right and callers leave useful messages instead of hanging up and ringing a competitor.
Paste any script into our generator, pick a natural British AI voice, add optional background music, and download your MP3 in minutes.
Turn This Script Into a RecordingConfirm who the caller has reached (your name or business name), briefly explain that you can't take the call, and ask for the caller's name, number, and a short message. For businesses, add your opening hours and when the caller can expect to be rung back.
Aim for 15 to 25 seconds — long enough to sound professional and give callers the key information, but short enough that they stay on the line to leave a message rather than hanging up.
Because BT 1571 answers both when you're out and when you're on the phone, avoid greetings that say you're closed. A safe format: thank the caller, say you can't take the call at the moment, and ask them to leave their name and number after the tone. See our BT 1571 guide for the setup steps.
Yes. Paste any script from this page into our voicemail greeting generator, choose a natural British AI voice, and download a studio-quality MP3 in about 60 seconds — then set it as your greeting on any UK network.
Once you've recorded your answerphone message, follow the guide for your network to make it live.
Turn any script on this page into a professional recording with British AI voices and optional background music.
