Apology Letter Format and Samples (11 Letters)

11 ready samples Copy, Word or print Checked 9 Oct 2026

An apology letter says sorry in writing for a mistake, and tells the reader what you will do to put it right. This page has 11 samples: apology letters to a teacher and principal, an apology for a mistake at work, an official apology to a customer, and personal sorry letters for a best friend or a partner.

Add your name, class or company once at the top, and the letters below pick up your details. Then change the part about what happened so the letter matches your own mistake.

Letter

Apology Letter to Teacher for Not Doing Homework

For a student who did not submit homework or a project on time and wants to say sorry to the class teacher.

To
The Class Teacher
Class Class, Section Section
School Name
City
Date: Date
Subject: Apology for not submitting my homework
Respected Sir/Madam,

I am sorry that I did not submit my subject homework on Date. I spent the evening on a cricket match and left the work for the morning, but then there was not enough time.

This was careless of me, and I understand it was not fair to classmates who finished on time. I have now completed the homework and attached it with this letter. From now on, I will finish my homework before I go out to play.

Yours obediently,
Your Name
Class: Class, Section: Section
Roll No.: Roll No.
Letter

Apology Letter to Principal for Misbehaviour

For a student who argued or misbehaved in class and has been asked to give a written apology to the principal.

To
The Principal
School Name
City
Date: Date
Subject: Apology for my behaviour in class
Respected Sir/Madam,

I am Your Name of Class Class, Section Section. I sincerely apologise for my rude behaviour in the subject period on Date. I talked back to my teacher when she asked me to stop chatting, and I disturbed the whole class.

I have already said sorry to my teacher in person. I know that such behaviour is against the rules and values of our school. I promise that it will not happen again, and I request you to forgive me this one time.

Thanking you,
Yours obediently,
Your Name
Class: Class, Section: Section
Roll No.: Roll No.
Letter

Apology Application for Bringing a Mobile Phone to School

For a student whose phone was taken away by a teacher and who must apologise in writing to get it back.

To
The Principal
School Name
City
Date: Date
Subject: Apology for bringing a mobile phone to school
Respected Sir/Madam,

I admit that I brought my mobile phone to school on Date, even though phones are not allowed. My class teacher found it in my bag and deposited it in your office.

I brought it only to call my mother after the extra class, but I should have used the school phone instead. I am sorry for breaking the rule. Kindly return the phone to my parent, who will come to collect it. I will not carry a phone to school again.

Thanking you,
Yours obediently,
Your Name
Class: Class, Section: Section
Roll No.: Roll No.

Apology Letter Format

The apology letter format depends on who you are writing to. A letter to a teacher, principal, manager or customer is formal. A letter to a friend, partner or neighbour is informal.

PartFormal apology (school or office)Informal sorry letter
Address"To", then the receiver's post, school or company and cityYour own address at the top left (optional for a note)
DateDate: [Date][Date]
Subject"Subject: Apology for [reason]" in one lineNo subject
SalutationRespected Sir/Madam, or Dear [Recipient Name],Dear [Recipient Name],
BodyWhat you did, that it was your fault, what you have fixed, and what you will do from now onThe same four points, in warmer and more personal words
ClosingYours obediently (student), Yours sincerely (office), Yours faithfullyYour friend always, With love, Yours
SignatureStudents add class, section and roll number; employees add their post and IDYour first name

For the general rules of each style, see formal letter and informal letter.

Letter

Apology Letter for Mistake at Work

For an employee who made an error in a report or file that reached a client, writing to the manager.

To
Recipient Name
Designation
Company Name
City
Date: Date
Subject: Apology for the error in the monthly sales report
Dear Recipient Name,

I apologise for the mistake in the monthly sales report I sent to the client on Date. I used an old data sheet, so the figures for two regions were wrong.

The error was mine. I did not check the file version before sending it. As soon as the client pointed it out, I prepared a corrected report and sent it to them with a short note, and they have confirmed receipt.

To make sure this does not happen again, I now check every report against the master sheet, and I will ask a teammate to review the numbers before anything goes to a client. I understand this caused embarrassment to the team, and I am sorry for it.

Yours sincerely,
Your Name
Designation, Department
Employee ID: Employee ID
Email

Apology Letter to Manager for Missing a Deadline (Email)

For an employee who missed a project deadline and is writing to the manager the same day.

To: Recipient Email
Subject: Apology for the delay in the Product Name proposal
Dear Recipient Name,

I am sorry that I could not deliver the Product Name proposal by today's deadline. I underestimated the time needed for the pricing section and did not tell you early enough.

The draft is about 80 percent ready. I will send the complete proposal by 11 am tomorrow, and I have blocked my calendar for it. If the client needs something today, I can send them the finished sections with a note on the rest.

In future I will flag any risk to a deadline at least two days in advance, so that you have time to plan.

Regards,
Your Name
Designation, Department
Phone
Letter

Official Apology Letter to a Customer

For a company or shop writing to a customer whose order was late or wrong.

Company Name
Address
City
Date: Date
To
Recipient Name
Address
Subject: Apology for the delay in your order no. Order Number
Dear Recipient Name,

Please accept our apology for the delay in delivering your order no. Order Number. It was promised by start date but reached you only on end date.

The delay happened because of a stock error at our warehouse. Your item was shown as available when it was not, and our team did not inform you in time. The fault was entirely ours.

We have refunded the delivery charge of Amount to your original payment method, and we have added a discount coupon to your account for your next purchase. We have also changed our stock system so that orders are confirmed only after the item is checked on the shelf.

Thank you for your patience. If you have any other concern, please call me directly on Phone.

Yours sincerely,
Your Name
Designation, Customer Care
Company Name
Letter

Sorry Letter for Best Friend

For someone who said hurtful words to a close friend during an argument and wants to make up.

Address
City
Date
Dear Recipient Name,

I have been thinking about our fight on Saturday all week, and I owe you an apology. What I said about your new friends was mean and untrue. I was jealous that we were spending less time together, and I took it out on you.

You have stood by me through every bad exam result and every silly crush. You did not deserve to hear those words from me, of all people.

I am truly sorry. I would like to meet you at our usual tea stall this Sunday, if you are willing. If you need more time, I understand, and I will wait.

Your friend always,
Your Name
Letter

Emotional Sorry Letter for Best Friend (After Months of Silence)

For someone who drifted away from a best friend and wants to reconnect after a long gap.

Address
City
Date
Dear Recipient Name,

It has been almost a year since we last spoke, and that silence is my fault. When you called me after your father's surgery, I said I would come over, and I never did. Then I was too ashamed to call, and each month made it harder.

I was busy with a new job and a new city, but that is not a real excuse. You needed a friend, and I was not there. I think about it every time I pass our old school.

I am not writing to ask you to forget it. I only want you to know that I am sorry, that I miss you, and that I would love to hear how you and your family are doing. My number is still the same, Phone, whenever you are ready.

With love,
Your Name
Letter

Sorry Letter for Girlfriend or Partner

For someone who forgot an important date or broke a promise to a partner and wants to apologise in writing.

Date
Dear Recipient Name,

I forgot our anniversary dinner on Friday, and you waited at the restaurant for an hour while I was still at the office. I cannot imagine how that felt, and I am deeply sorry.

You had planned the evening for weeks. I let work take over again, after promising you last month that I would not. You are right to be upset, and I am not going to make excuses.

I have taken next Saturday off completely, phone switched off. If you will let me, I would like to plan the day myself this time. You matter more to me than any deadline, and I want to show that, not just say it.

Yours,
Your Name
Letter

Apology Letter to Neighbour for Damage

For a parent or resident whose child broke a neighbour's window or caused damage while playing.

Address
City
Date
Dear Recipient Name,

I am writing to apologise for the broken window in your drawing room. My son was playing cricket in the lane yesterday evening, and his ball hit the glass. He was too scared to tell you, and I learned about it only at night.

I am sorry for the trouble and for the mess of broken glass. I have asked a glass fitter to visit you tomorrow morning, and I will pay the full cost of the repair. My son will also come with me to say sorry in person.

We have told the children to play in the society ground from now on, and not in the lane.

With regards,
Your Name
Phone
Letter

Short Apology Letter for Mistake (Late to Class)

For a college student who came late to a practical or lecture and needs to give a brief written apology.

To
The Head of Department
Department
College Name
Date: Date
Subject: Apology for coming late to the practical
Respected Sir/Madam,

I apologise for reaching the subject practical 25 minutes late on Date. I missed my usual train and did not leave home early enough to cover the delay.

I understand that late entry disturbs the lab work of others. I will leave home earlier from now on so that I am in the lab before the session begins. Kindly allow me to complete the missed part of the experiment.

Yours faithfully,
Your Name
Class, Roll No.: Roll No.

How to Write an Apology Letter

  1. Say sorry in the first line. Do not warm up with other news. "I am sorry that I [reason]" or "I apologise for [reason]" is the right start.
  2. Name the mistake exactly. "I sent the wrong figures" is better than "I made an error".
  3. Own it. Give the reason in one short line if it helps, but do not blame others or make it sound like an excuse.
  4. Show the repair. Say what you have already done, or will do, to fix the damage.
  5. Promise one real change. A specific step, like checking files twice, means more than "it will never happen again".

If you are the one who was wronged, you may want a complaint letter instead. An employer responding to misconduct would use a warning letter.

Tips for Writing an Apology Letter

  • Send the apology soon. A letter written the same day or the next day feels sincere; one written after weeks can feel forced.
  • Use "I", not "we" or "mistakes were made", when the fault is yours.
  • Keep a school apology under 120 words. Teachers want to see that you understand, not a long story.
  • In an office apology, put the fix and the new process in writing, so your manager can share it with the client.
  • In a personal sorry letter, mention one good memory or quality of the person. It shows you value the relationship.
  • Do not add "but" after your apology. A sentence like "I am sorry, but you also" cancels the sorry.
  • If you have damaged something, offer to pay or repair it in the same letter.

Questions people ask

How do I start an apology letter?

Start with the apology itself, in the first sentence. For example: "I am sorry that I did not submit my homework on time." For a formal letter, add a subject line such as "Apology for late submission" above the salutation.

What is the difference between an apology letter and an apology application?

They are almost the same. In schools, "apology application" usually means a formal letter to the principal, written in the application format with To, Date and Subject. An apology letter can be formal or informal.

How long should an apology letter to a teacher be?

About 60 to 120 words is enough. Say what you did, that you are sorry, and what you will do differently. Sign with your class and roll number.

Should I give a reason in an apology letter?

A short reason is fine, such as missing a train. Keep it to one line and do not use it to shift the blame. The reader should still feel that you accept the mistake.

Can I send an apology by email at work?

Yes. For most work mistakes an email to your manager is the normal way. Use a clear subject, explain the fix, and keep a professional tone even if you feel bad about it.

Every letter on this page is written and checked by our team. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write.

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