“As per request” means “in accordance with what was asked for” or, more simply, “as you asked.” It’s a workplace stock phrase, most often dropped at the top of an email to signal that the attached file, updated report, or requested information is exactly what someone asked for. Grammatically, it’s fine. Stylistically, it’s a little tired.
The Short Answer
“As per request” is correct and understandable, but it’s technically missing a possessive. Most careful writers and style guides prefer “as per your request” or “as requested,” because “as per request” on its own sounds clipped, almost like a fragment of a longer sentence that got trimmed for speed.
You’ll see it constantly in offices, client emails, and internal memos. It’s not wrong. It just reads as slightly rushed or old-fashioned compared to cleaner alternatives.
Why “As Per” Gets Criticized
“Per” is Latin for “through” or “by means of.” Purists have long grumbled that “as per” is redundant — “as” and “per” are doing the same job, so you’re stacking two words where one would do. “Per your request” already means “according to your request.” Adding “as” in front doesn’t change the meaning; it just adds bulk.
None of this makes the phrase incorrect. English absorbs redundant idioms all the time (“PIN number,” “ATM machine”). But in business writing, where clarity and brevity earn points, “as per request” is an easy phrase to trim without losing anything.
What’s Missing in “As Per Request”
The bare version — no possessive pronoun, no article — is the most compressed form. It works as shorthand once context is already established, but on its own it can feel unfinished. Compare:
- As per request, the invoice is attached. (terse, slightly abrupt)
- As per your request, the invoice is attached. (complete, standard)
- As requested, the invoice is attached. (cleanest, most modern)
Examples in a Sentence
- As per your request, I’ve updated the spreadsheet with the Q3 figures.
- Please find attached the revised contract, as requested.
- As per request, the meeting has been moved to 3 p.m.
- Per your request, we’ve extended the deadline to Friday.
Better Alternatives for Email
If you want to sound polished rather than robotic, swap “as per request” for something more natural. A few reliable options:
| Phrase | Tone |
|---|---|
| As requested | Clean, neutral, most common |
| As you requested | Slightly more personal |
| Per your request | Formal, common in legal/finance |
| As discussed | Use when it was a conversation, not a formal ask |
| You asked for this, so here it is | Casual, internal-team tone |
Any of these lands better in a client-facing email than the bare “as per request,” which can read as if you’re speaking in shorthand rather than to a person.
When It’s Fine to Use As-Is
In fast internal messaging — Slack threads, quick status updates, ticket notes — “as per request” is perfectly acceptable. Nobody’s docking points for style in a two-line update to a coworker. It becomes more noticeable in formal client emails, cover letters, or polished business documents, where every phrase is doing reputational work.
Key Takeaways
- “As per request” means “as you asked for” and is grammatically acceptable, though it drops the possessive.
- “As per your request” or “as requested” are more complete and more commonly recommended by style guides.
- “Per” already implies “according to,” so “as per” is technically redundant — harmless, but worth knowing.
- Use “as requested” for a cleaner, more modern tone in professional emails.
- The bare phrase works fine in casual internal messages; save the fuller versions for client-facing writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “as per request” grammatically correct?
Yes, it’s understood and widely used, though it lacks a possessive pronoun. “As per your request” is the more complete, standard form.
What does “as per request” mean in an email?
It means the sender is providing exactly what was asked for — a document, an update, or an action — in response to a prior request.
Is “as per your request” better than “as per request”?
Generally yes. It’s grammatically fuller and reads as more polished, especially in formal or client-facing communication.
Can I just say “as requested” instead?
Yes, and many style guides prefer it. “As requested” is shorter, modern, and avoids the redundancy critics point out in “as per.”
Is “as per” always redundant?
Strictly speaking, yes — “per” alone means “according to.” But the combined phrase is so common in business English that it’s accepted as standard usage, not an error.
Is “as per request” too formal or too casual?
It sits in a middle zone: fine for internal or quick correspondence, but slightly stiff for warm client communication where “as requested” or “here’s what you asked for” would read better.
Small phrases like this shape how polished your writing feels, even when the grammar isn’t technically wrong. If you want to sharpen more everyday business language, there’s plenty more to explore on the site.
