What Is an Informal Letter?

Informal letters are written to family or friends to share updates or send regards. These letters are sent to people you know, like relatives, friends, or acquaintances. The language used in these letters is casual and conversational. This passage explains the “letter format for informal letter” to help you understand how to write such letters.

What Can You Write About in an Informal Letter?

You can write about anything you wish to share with the receiver. It could be about a competition you participated in, a recent trip, a movie you watched, or any other topic you feel like discussing. You can also use an informal letter to ask about the receiver’s well-being, invite them on a trip, congratulate them, or just to express your feelings. There are no fixed rules about the content; it can be as personal as you want.

How to Write an Informal Letter?

Informal letters also have a structure, though they are less strict compared to formal letters. Unlike formal letters, informal letters can cover a wide range of topics. The tone can be relaxed, and you can use conversational language. Here are a few simple steps to help you write an informal letter.

Address and Date:

Start the letter by writing the sender’s address on the left side of the page. This address is important so the receiver knows where to send a reply. Include the complete address, including the postal code. If you are writing to someone in another country, mention the country as well. For example:

29, ABC Street Chennai, India – 600001

After the address, write the date. The date helps the receiver know when the letter was written. You can use any of these formats:

• 15/11/2025
• 15th November 2025
• November 15, 2025

Greeting or Salutation:

For informal letters, you can greet the person by their first name or nickname, using terms like “Dear” or “Dearest” before their name. For example:

• Dear Rahul
• Dearest Priya
• My dear Meena

If you are writing to an elder or someone you respect, you can use prefixes such as Mr., Mrs., or Ms. For example:

• Dear Mr. Sharma

Body of the Letter:

The body of the letter begins with a friendly introduction. You can start by asking about the receiver’s health or well-being. For instance:

• “I hope this letter finds you in good health.”

Then, move on to the main purpose of the letter. You can discuss your topic in detail and make it conversational. Unlike formal letters, informal letters can have personal expressions and casual language. If you are writing to an elder, avoid using terms or phrases that might seem disrespectful.

Conclusion:

End the letter with a warm note. Let the receiver know you are looking forward to hearing from them. For example:

• “I hope to hear from you soon.”

Signature:

For informal letters, you can use closings like:

• Yours lovingly
• With love
• Your loving friend

After the closing, write your name (usually your first name).

Examples of Informal Letters

Here are a few examples to show how an informal letter can be written.

Example 1: Letter to a Cousin Asking About a Recent Trip

34, Park Lane Mumbai – 400001
15th September 2025

Dear Ravi,

My mother told me you have come back from your trip. I hope everything went smoothly. It would be great to hear about your experience.

Since this was your first time visiting another country, it must have been exciting. Some people mentioned that the place you went to is lovely and the locals are very welcoming. There were also talks about some challenges you faced, but I hope things turned out okay for you.

Your pictures online looked wonderful. Meeting up to hear the details would be fun. Let me know when you are free to catch up.

Your loving cousin,
Ramesh

Example 2: Letter to a Friend About Planning a Get-Together

12, Green Street
Delhi – 110001
10th February 2025

Dear Arjun,

I hope you are doing well. It has been a long time since we last met. I was thinking it would be nice if we could all meet soon.

I was planning a small get-together next month. We could meet on a weekend and spend time at a resort. The weather is nice these days, and it will be relaxing for everyone. We can visit some local spots if everyone is interested.

Let me know your thoughts, and we can finalize the plan. I will visit you soon to discuss this further.

With love,
Rohit

Example 3: Letter Regretting Inability to Join a Get-Together

88, Blue Road
Bangalore – 560001
15th February 2025

Dear Rohit,

Thank you for planning a get-together. I would have loved to join, but I have some work commitments starting next month. I am not sure if I can make it.

If it is possible to reschedule the get-together to an earlier date, I can join. Let me know what everyone decides.

Looking forward to meeting you soon.

Yours sincerely,
Arjun

Differences Between Formal and Informal Letters

Here are some key differences between formal and informal letters:

Aspect	Formal Letter	Informal Letter
Length	Short and to the point	Can be detailed and lengthy
Greeting	Sir, Ma’am, Name of the company	Friend’s name or nickname
Address	Includes both sender’s and receiver’s address	Only sender’s address
Body	Precise with references	Casual and personal
Subject	Required	Not needed
Conclusion	Expressing gratitude	Friendly and warm
Signature	Includes seal or logo	First name is enough
Purpose	Official or professional matters	Personal updates
Replaced by	Emails or PDFs	Phone calls or chats

Points to Remember While Writing Informal Letters

1. If the letter is a reply, mention it at the beginning.
2. Always include the sender’s address at the start.
3. Do not include a subject line.
4. Greet elders respectfully and express care for younger family members.
5. Share updates about your life and ask about theirs.
6. In the last paragraph, express that you are looking forward to their reply.
7. Ensure your sentences are clear to avoid misunderstandings.
8. If the content is sensitive, keep a copy for reference.

Writing an informal letter is a simple and effective way to stay connected with loved ones and share what’s happening in your life. By following these steps and examples, you can write meaningful letters to your family and friends.