How to Ask Someone if They Are Free Formally

So, you need to know if someone is free, but you’re unsure how to ask them formally.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

This article will teach you how to say are you free formally.

Then, you’ll have great alternatives to include in your emails that’ll help you sound professional and polite.

Is It Correct to Ask Someone if They Are Free Formally?

It is correct to ask someone if they are free formally. There’s nothing wrong with checking in with someone to figure out their schedule.

Generally, the most effective phrase to use is are you free. However, this is only correct in more informal situations.

You might include are you free in a text message to friends. For example:

Are you free, Benny? I’d like to meet with you if that’s possible.

However, you’ll have to mix things up a bit more to sound formal and polite. For instance:

Dear Mr. Jones,

I’d like to know when you are free. Then, we can figure out the best time to go through the meeting points.

All the best,
Joseph Atria

Feel free to mix things up further than what you see above, though! Technically, you’re in control of how formal you want the phrase to be.

However, if you’re unsure exactly how to word it, you don’t have to worry any longer!

Keep reading to learn the best synonyms to teach you how to ask someone if they are free to meet. Then, you’ll be able to remain professional and respectful.

8 Alternative Ways to Ask Someone if They Are Free Formally

You should check out these 8 alternatives to learn how to ask someone if they are free formally:

May I ask about your availability?
I would be grateful if you could let me know your schedule
Please share your availability with me
Could you please inform me when you’re free?
Please let me know when we can fit this into your schedule
I’d appreciate it if you could tell me when you are free
When do you have some time to spare?
I’m looking to find out your availability for a meeting

1. May I Ask About Your Availability?

You will benefit from using may I ask about your availability in professional emails.

It’s a direct and open question showing that you’re happy to hear what someone’s schedule looks like.

After they’ve answered you, you can work out what to do next (i.e., what times work best for their schedule).

Use it when emailing a client. It shows you’re happy to arrange a meeting, but you need more information first.

We also recommend reviewing this email sample:

Dear Miss Ryan,

May I ask about your availability? I’m trying to find the best time to arrange this meeting for tomorrow.

All the best,
Sara Roper

2. I Would Be Grateful if You Could Let Me Know Your Schedule

For a slightly more long-winded phrase, you can try I would be grateful if you could let me know your schedule.

It’s a great way to show that you’d like to know if someone is free professionally.

It’s not a direct question. Instead, it’s a formal statement. It remains polite and respectful, but it shows that you’d like to hear whether someone’s schedule works for you.

Check out the following example if you’re still stuck:

Dear Mr. Kingston,

I would be grateful if you could let me know your schedule on Monday. That would help me to arrange this meeting better.

All the best,
Sam Scofield

3. Please Share Your Availability With Me

We also recommend using please share your availability with me as another way to say are you free.

This is a great phrase to include in formal communication with clients. It shows that you’re happy to hear from them and sort out the timings, but you need to know their schedule first.

Generally, this will encourage clients to share their calendars. Once you know more about their calendars, you should be able to plan more things in the future.

You should also review this email sample:

Dear Miss Paramore,

Please share your availability with me as soon as possible. It’ll help me to understand how to move forward.

Best wishes,
Dean Adams

4. Could You Please Inform Me When You’re Free?

Another great phrase to include in your emails is could you please inform me when you’re free.

This is a highly effective formal alternative that shows you’re interested in hearing someone’s schedule or plans.

You can use it when emailing a coworker. It’s a great way to find out more about their free time and figure out if you can make it work around your current schedule.

Also, here’s a sample email to help you with it:

Dear Henry,

Could you please inform me when you’re free tomorrow? I’d like to arrange the event now, but I need to know your schedule.

Yours,
Harrison Bent

5. Please Let Me Know When We Can Fit This Into Your Schedule

Another great option is please let me know when we can fit this into your schedule.

It’s highly effective because it shows you’re willing to work around someone else.

The more convenient you make it for the recipient, the better you’ll look.

Therefore, we recommend using this when emailing a client. It lets them know that you’re willing to work with them and you want them to be in charge of scheduling a meeting.

If you’re still unsure, check out this example:

Dear Miss Autumn,

Please let me know when we can fit this into your schedule. It’s an important call, and I think we need to talk.

Yours,
Chris Kingsley

6. I’d Appreciate It if You Could Tell Me When You Are Free

You should also give I’d appreciate it if you could tell me when you are free a try. It’s useful when sounding professional and respectful.

Typically, you’d use something like this when confirming dates with a business partner. It shows you’re happy to hear from them and would like to work around them.

The more open you are to their schedule, the easier it will be to let them decide the time or date as well. So, take this into account before you use a phrase like this.

Here’s a great example to help you understand it better:

Dear Miss Kyte,

I’d appreciate it if you could tell me when you are free for a call. That would help me to arrange this better.

My best,
Dan Male

7. When Do You Have Some Time to Spare?

Feel free to include when do you have some time to spare in your formal emails.

It allows you to politely ask for availability. This is great to include when asking a client for information during a project meeting.

Generally, you’ll get a response that shows when someone is happy to spare some time for you.

If you’re still unsure, check out this example:

Dear Miss Cole,

When do you have some time to spare? It’s important for us to discuss these matters before advancing.

All the best,
Sian Hinshaw

8. I’m Looking to Find Out Your Availability for a Meeting

For a professional way to say are you free try I’m looking to find out your availability for a meeting.

It’s direct and to the point. Therefore, there will be no ambiguity when asking someone when they’ll be able to accommodate you.

Feel free to include it when emailing an applicant. It could be a good choice to find out what day works best for them before arranging an interview.