The writing desk

Write emails professors actually answer.

Pick your situation, fill in a few details, and get a polite, specific email with a clear subject line. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

1What's the email about?

Ask about an assignment, reading or concept.

2You and your professor
Professor, Dr. or Mr./Ms.?
  • Professor is a safe default for faculty at US colleges and universities.
  • Dr. is right for anyone with a doctorate (PhD, EdD, MD and so on).
  • In the UK, Ireland, Australia and much of Europe, Professor is a senior rank: most lecturers are Dr. Check their staff page.
  • For instructors without a doctorate, use the title on the syllabus, or Mr., Ms. or Mx. Avoid Mrs. and Miss.
  • Use a first name only if they have invited you to, for example by signing their emails with it.

Only used to fill the To field when you open your mail app.

3The details

Finish the phrase “a question about…”

Finish the sentence “I have already…”

4Tone

Formal suits a first email or a professor you don't know well. Neutral is friendly but still polite.

See your email
ToYour professor's address (added in your mail app)
SubjectQuestion about [topic] – [Course]
Dear Professor [Last name], My name is [Your name], and I am a student in your [Course] class. I have a question about [topic]. [Your question] Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [Your name] [Course]
Open in mail app

Before you send

36 words
  • Fill in the subject details so it says what the email is about.
  • Add the professor's last name to the greeting.
  • Add your name and course so they can place you.
  • Fill in “Your question” so the request is clear.
  • Replace the [bracketed] parts before sending.
  • 36 words: short enough to read on a phone.

Tips for this email

  • Check the syllabus, course page and any class forum first, and say what you checked.
  • Ask one focused question. If you have several, office hours may work better.
  • Send it from your school email account.

Already wrote your own draft? Check its tone

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CleanTempMail

A free disposable inbox for one-off sign-ups: a free download, a newsletter you are not sure about, a contest entry. No sign-up, a random or custom address, and messages are deleted automatically after 3 days. Keep using your school address for anything your school, financial aid office or professors need to reach you about.

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Questions

Emailing a professor: the short answers

How should I address my professor in an email?

Use their title and last name: “Dear Professor Okafor,” or “Dear Dr. Okafor,”. In the US, “Professor” is a safe default for faculty. In the UK and many other countries, “Professor” is a senior rank, so most lecturers are addressed as “Dr.”. Use a first name only if they have invited you to.

What should the subject line say?

The topic and the course, so it is clear before they open it, for example “Extension request: Essay 2 – PSYC 210”. Avoid one-word subjects like “Question” or “Help”.

How long should an email to a professor be?

Short: usually under 200 words. Say who you are and which class you are in, make one clear request, and give any dates that matter. If it needs much more than that, ask to meet in office hours instead.

How long should I wait for a reply?

Two working days is reasonable for most course questions; a cold email about research can take a week or two. If you have not heard back, send one polite follow-up in the same thread. The follow-up email page suggests timing for each situation.

Which email address should I send it from?

Your school email address, if you have one. Your instructor can see who you are, it is less likely to be filtered, and many schools expect course matters to go through school accounts.

Is anything I type stored or sent anywhere?

No. The email is put together in your browser and is not sent to a server. You copy it, download it as a text file, or open it in your own mail app. Visits are counted with Cloudflare Web Analytics, which does not use cookies and never sees what you type.