Memo vs. Letter — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023
A Memo is a brief, internal communication within an organization, while a Letter is a more formal written message typically sent externally between individuals or entities.
Difference Between Memo and Letter
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Memo and Letter are both methods of written communication, but they have distinct differences in purpose and format. A Memo, short for memorandum, is generally used within an organization to convey short pieces of information or updates. On the other hand, a Letter is a more structured form of communication, commonly sent from one individual or organization to another, external to the sender's organization.
While a Memo is typically concise and might lack the formalities observed in other documents, a Letter often starts with a salutation and concludes with a complimentary close and signature. The context in which they're used differs too: you might receive a Memo about a change in company policy, but a Letter offering a job position.
In essence, the primary distinction between a Memo and a Letter lies in their audience and intent. A Memo is internally focused, aiming to disseminate information within an organization quickly. In contrast, a Letter serves a broader range of purposes, from personal correspondence to official business communications, reaching recipients outside the immediate organization.
Additionally, the medium varies: while a Memo is often circulated electronically or on internal platforms in modern organizations, a Letter can be either emailed or printed and sent physically, especially when it's official or requires a personal touch.
Comparison Chart
Primary Audience
Internal to an organization
External individuals or entities
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Formality
Generally less formal
More formal with structured format
Purpose
Convey short internal updates or information
Wide range, from personal correspondence to business matters
Components
Lacks salutation, complimentary close, or signature
Includes salutation, complimentary close, and signature
Medium
Often electronic or on internal platforms
Can be emailed, printed, or handwritten
Compare with Definitions
Memo
Short written message within an organization.
The manager sent a Memo about the upcoming team meeting.
Letter
Formal written message between individuals or entities.
She wrote a Letter to her friend overseas.
Memo
Informative note on a specific topic.
The finance team's Memo outlined the new expense guidelines.
Letter
Written document conveying information or feelings.
He received a Letter of acceptance from the university.
Memo
A reminder or update for organizational members.
The IT department issued a Memo about system maintenance.
Letter
A character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; any of the symbols of an alphabet
A capital letter
Memo
Brief internal communication.
The HR department circulated a Memo regarding holiday leave.
Letter
A written, typed, or printed communication, sent in an envelope by post or messenger
He sent a letter to Mrs Falconer
Memo
A concise document detailing specific information.
The CEO's Memo explained the company's new sustainability goals.
Letter
The precise terms of a statement or requirement; the strict verbal interpretation
We must keep the spirit of the law as well as the letter
The officer in the incident got in trouble for following the letter of the law
Memo
A memorandum.
Letter
Literature
The world of letters
Memo
A memorandum.
Letter
A style of typeface.
Memo
A short note; a memorandum.
Letter
Inscribe letters or writing on
Her name was lettered in gold
Memo
(programming) A record of partial results that can be reused later without recomputation.
Letter
Be given a school or college initial as a mark of proficiency in sport
In high school she lettered in soccer, basketball and softball
Memo
(informal) To record something; to make a note of something.
Letter
A written symbol or character representing a speech sound and being a component of an alphabet.
Memo
(informal) To send someone a note about something, for the record.
I made sure to memo him about the client's complaints.
Letter
A written symbol or character used in the graphemic representation of a word, such as the h in Thames. See Note at Thames.
Memo
A written proposal or reminder
Letter
A written or printed communication directed to a person or organization.
Letter
Often letters A certified document granting rights to its bearer.
Letter
Literal meaning
Had to adhere to the letter of the law.
Letter
Literary culture; belles-lettres.
Letter
Learning or knowledge, especially of literature.
Letter
Literature or writing as a profession.
Letter
A piece of type that prints a single character.
Letter
A specific style of type.
Letter
The characters in one style of type.
Letter
An emblem in the shape of the initial of a school awarded for outstanding performance, especially in varsity athletics.
Letter
To write letters on
Lettered the paper.
Letter
To write in letters
Lettered our name on the mailbox.
Letter
To write or form letters.
Letter
To earn a school letter, as for outstanding athletic achievement
She lettered in three collegiate sports.
Letter
A symbol in an alphabet.
There are twenty-six letters in the English alphabet.
Letter
A written or printed communication, generally longer and more formal than a note.
I wrote a letter to my sister about my life.
Letter
The literal meaning of something, as distinguished from its intended and remoter meaning (the spirit).
Letter
Literature.
Benjamin Franklin was multiskilled – a scientist, politician and a man of letters.
Letter
(law) A division unit of a piece of law marked by a letter of the alphabet.
Letter (b) constitutes an exception to this provision.
Letter
A size of paper, 8½ in × 11 in (215.9 mm × 279.4 mm, US paper sizes rounded to the nearest 5 mm).
Letter
A size of paper, 215 mm × 280 mm.
Letter
Clipping of varsity letter
Letter
A single type; type, collectively; a style of type.
Letter
One who lets, or lets out.
The letter of a room
A blood-letter
Letter
(archaic) One who retards or hinders.
Letter
(transitive) To print, inscribe, or paint letters on something.
Letter
To earn a varsity letter (award).
Letter
One who lets or permits; one who lets anything for hire.
Letter
One who retards or hinders.
Letter
A mark or character used as the representative of a sound, or of an articulation of the human organs of speech; a first element of written language.
And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew.
Letter
A written or printed communication; a message expressed in intelligible characters on something adapted to conveyance, as paper, parchment, etc.; an epistle.
The style of letters ought to be free, easy, and natural.
Letter
A writing; an inscription.
None could expound what this letter meant.
Letter
Verbal expression; literal statement or meaning; exact signification or requirement.
We must observe the letter of the law, without doing violence to the reason of the law and the intention of the lawgiver.
I broke the letter of it to keep the sense.
Letter
A single type; type, collectively; a style of type.
Under these buildings . . . was the king's printing house, and that famous letter so much esteemed.
Letter
Learning; erudition; as, a man of letters.
Letter
A letter; an epistle.
Letter
A telegram longer than an ordinary message sent at rates lower than the standard message rate in consideration of its being sent and delivered subject to priority in service of regular messages. Such telegrams are called by the Western Union Company day letters, or night letters according to the time of sending, and by The Postal Telegraph Company day lettergrams, or night lettergrams.
A strange lock that opens with AMEN.
Letter
To impress with letters; to mark with letters or words; as, a book gilt and lettered.
Letter
A written message addressed to a person or organization;
Mailed an indignant letter to the editor
Letter
The conventional characters of the alphabet used to represent speech;
His grandmother taught him his letters
Letter
A strictly literal interpretation (as distinct from the intention);
He followed instructions to the letter
He obeyed the letter of the law
Letter
An award earned by participation in a school sport;
He won letters in three sports
Letter
Owner who lets another person use something (housing usually) for hire
Letter
Win an athletic letter
Letter
Set down or print with letters
Letter
Mark letters on or mark with letters
Letter
Structured correspondence with salutation and signature.
The CEO's Letter to the shareholders was optimistic about future growth.
Letter
Personal or official written communication.
She sent a Letter of complaint to the customer service department.
Letter
Detailed message on paper or digital medium.
The author penned a Letter to his fans explaining his upcoming book.
Common Curiosities
Are Memos becoming obsolete?
With digital communication tools, the traditional Memo format is less common, but the concept of brief internal communication persists.
Can a Memo be multiple pages?
While Memos are typically short, they can span multiple pages if needed, whereas Letters can vary in length.
Is a Memo only used in business settings?
Mostly, yes. Memos are commonly used within organizations, while Letters can be for both personal and business purposes.
Can a Letter be informal?
Yes, Letters can be informal, like those between friends, while Memos tend to be direct and to-the-point.
Why would someone choose a Memo over an email?
A Memo is often more official and structured than a casual email, used for specific internal communications.
Is the content of a Letter always serious?
No, Letters can convey any content, from serious matters to personal news or sentiments, while Memos are generally informational.
Can a Letter be sent electronically?
Yes, Letters can be sent via email or other digital means, whereas Memos are often circulated on internal platforms.
Do Memos need a signature?
Typically, Memos don't require signatures like formal Letters do.
Is it mandatory for a Letter to have a salutation?
Most formal Letters have a salutation, but it's not a strict rule, especially for informal ones. Memos usually skip the salutation.
Which is more concise, a Memo or a Letter?
Generally, a Memo is more concise and direct, while a Letter can be detailed and elaborate.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
