After Hours Voicemail Greetings 15+ Professional Scripts to Copy

Ready-to-use after hours scripts for offices, retail stores, medical practices, and multi-department businesses — copy any script and turn it into a professional recording.

15+ Copyable Scripts
20-30 Second Length
Professional Style

Why Your After Hours Greeting Matters

Studies consistently show that a large share of business calls arrive outside regular office hours. When they do, your after hours voicemail greeting becomes the only voice of your company. A vague "leave a message" recording leaves callers guessing — a well-crafted after hours greeting tells them exactly when you are open, when they will hear back, and what to do if the matter cannot wait.

Every script below follows the same professional structure our customers use for their purchased recordings: a thank-you, your business hours, a clear callback promise, and a prompt to leave a message. Replace the placeholders like [Your Company Name] and [Time] with your own details, copy the script, and you are ready to record. If you need scripts for planned absences instead, see our out of office voicemail greetings.

The Essentials

Standard Business Hours Scripts

Classic after hours greetings that state your hours and set clear callback expectations

Thank you for calling [Your Company Name]. You have reached us outside of our regular business hours, which are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Please leave your name, phone number, and a brief message after the tone, and we will return your call on the next business day. Thank you.

Standard Hours classic professional

Hello, and thank you for calling [Your Company Name]. Our office is currently closed. We are open Monday through Friday from [Time] to [Time]. Please leave a message after the tone, or visit us online at [www.yourcompany.com]. We will get back to you as soon as we reopen. Thank you.

With Website standard online

Thank you for calling [Your Company Name]. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 5 PM. You have reached us outside of these hours. Please leave your name and number after the tone, and we will get back to you as soon as we reopen. Thank you.

Split Hours lunch break detailed

Thank you for calling [Your Company Name]. We are currently closed. Please leave a message after the tone, or email us anytime at [your-email@company.com]. We respond to all messages within one business day. Thank you for calling.

Email Alternative email responsive

Hello, you have reached [Your Company Name] outside of our business hours. Please leave your name and callback number, or send us a text at [555-123-4567]. We will get back to you first thing on the next business day. Thank you!

Text Option text modern

Thank you for calling [Your Company Name]. Our office is now closed. Please leave a brief message with your name and phone number, and a member of our team will call you back on the next business day. Thank you.

Short & Simple brief clear

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Nights & Weekends

Weekend & Emergency Contact Scripts

Greetings for weekend closures and businesses that need an urgent-contact option

Hello, and thank you for calling [Your Company Name]. Our office is closed for the weekend. We will reopen on Monday at [Time]. Please leave your name and number after the tone, and we will return your call first thing Monday morning. Thank you.

Weekend weekend monday callback

Thank you for calling [Your Company Name]. Our office is currently closed. For emergencies, please call our after-hours line at [555-999-0000]. For all other matters, leave a message after the tone and we will respond on the next business day. Thank you.

Emergency Contact urgent 24/7

You have reached [Your Company Name]. We are closed for the weekend and will reopen Monday at [Time]. If your call is urgent, please text the word HELP to [555-123-4567] and our on-call team will respond. Otherwise, leave a message and we will call you back Monday. Thank you.

Weekend + Urgent weekend on-call

Thank you for calling [Your Company Name]. Our offices are now closed. Our sales team is available Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and our support team from 8 AM to 8 PM. Please leave your name, number, and the department you wish to reach, and the right person will call you back. Thank you.

Multi-Department sales support

Hello, you have reached [Your Company Name]. Our team is currently unavailable. If this is a service emergency, press 1 to be connected to our on-call technician. For all other inquiries, please leave a message and we will return your call during business hours. Thank you.

On-Call Technician service emergency

Thank you for calling [Your Company Name]. We are closed for the day, but your call is important to us. Leave your name, number, and the best time to reach you, and we will call you back within one business day — guaranteed. Thank you for your patience.

Callback Promise guarantee professional
Tailored by Business Type

Industry-Specific After Hours Scripts

Ready-made greetings for professional services, retail stores, and medical offices

You have reached the offices of [Your Company Name]. Our business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Your call is important to us. Please leave your name, phone number, and a brief description of your matter, and a member of our team will return your call promptly. Thank you.

Professional Services law accounting

Thank you for calling [Your Company Name]. Our store is currently closed. We are open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. You can also shop with us online anytime at [www.yourcompany.com]. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Retail store hours shop online

Thank you for calling [Your Practice Name]. Our office is now closed. If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 911. To reach the on-call provider, please call [555-999-0000]. For appointments and all other matters, leave a message and our staff will return your call on the next business day. Thank you.

Medical Office healthcare on-call

Thank you for calling [Your Company Name]. Our showroom is closed for the evening. We reopen tomorrow at [Time]. To schedule an appointment or request a quote, leave a message or visit [www.yourcompany.com]. We will confirm your request as soon as we open. Thank you.

Appointments showroom quotes

You have reached [Your Company Name]. Our office is closed for the day. During tax season, we extend our hours — please check [www.yourcompany.com] for current availability. Leave your name and number, and we will return your call on the next business day. Thank you for calling.

Seasonal Hours seasonal flexible

Thank you for calling [Your Restaurant Name]. We are closed right now. Our kitchen is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 10 PM. To make a reservation, please visit [www.yourcompany.com] or leave a message with your name, party size, and preferred time. We look forward to serving you!

Restaurant reservations hospitality

Need a greeting built around your exact business type? Browse our industry-specific voicemail greetings for 37+ tailored generators.

How to Write a Great After Hours Greeting

The best after hours greetings answer three questions in under 30 seconds: When are you open? When will the caller hear back? And what should they do right now? Keep the structure below in mind and your greeting will do its job every night, weekend, and holiday without any extra effort from your team.

What to Include

  • Your company name first — confirm callers reached the right place before anything else.
  • Your exact business hours — so callers know when to try again without guessing.
  • A callback promise — "next business day" sets expectations and reduces repeat calls.
  • An alternative channel — website, email, or an emergency line if your business needs one.

Keep It 20-30 Seconds

  • Around 60-75 words at a natural speaking pace lands in the ideal 20-30 second window.
  • Front-load the important details — many callers decide within 10 seconds whether to stay on the line.
  • Skip long marketing pitches — after hours callers want information, not a commercial.
  • Update the recording whenever your hours change — an outdated greeting erodes trust fast.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should an after hours voicemail greeting include?

An after hours greeting should include your company name, your regular business hours, when callers can expect a callback, and a clear prompt to leave a message. If relevant, add an emergency contact number, your website, or an email address as an alternative.

How long should an after hours voicemail greeting be?

Aim for 20 to 30 seconds. That is long enough to state your business hours and callback expectations, but short enough that callers stay on the line to leave a message instead of hanging up.

Should I include an emergency contact in my after hours greeting?

If your business handles urgent situations — such as medical practices, property management, IT support, or trade services — an emergency line is essential. For most other businesses, directing callers to leave a message or email is sufficient.

Can I record an after hours greeting without using my own voice?

Yes. Voicemail generators like VoicemailCraft let you paste any script and generate a studio-quality recording with a professional AI voice, with optional background music, in minutes — no microphone or recording booth needed. Turn your script into a professional recording right now.

Ready to Record? Generate Your After Hours Greeting

Turn any script on this page into a professional recording with AI voices and optional background music.