144 Birthday wishes for everyone’s special day.

Choose happy birthday wishes for friends, siblings, coworkers, and everyone in between.

Start designing with Adobe Express

Birthday wishes for every imaginable birthday card.

The right happy birthday wishes tell your friends, family, and coworkers that they’re important. Birthday wishes range from funny to heartfelt, and the right one conjures a real sense of celebration. These 144 birthday wishes take you down a path to the perfect birthday greeting for every conceivable birthday card.

Choose the perfect birthday wishes from this curated list and let Adobe Express help make the perfect card, no experience required.

Birthday wishes for a friend.

Birthday wishes for a friend can evoke happy tears or full-bellied laughter, depending on the friend. Our friends are chosen over years of search and selection, and our friendships are curated over countless shared experiences. It’s fun and gratifying to give the best birthday wishes to the friends we care most about.

Birthday wishes for a friend draw inspiration from shared shenanigans as well as living through life’s best and hardest days together. Pick the perfect birthday wish for a friend’s birthday card, and your message will come in loud and clear.

  • Remembering the good times we've had makes me want to celebrate with you even more. Happy birthday.

This birthday greeting is especially great for friends who live far apart.

  • I can’t beat the parties you threw for me, but I can try. See you later at the party, friend.
  • May your birthday be as fabulous as your dating profile says you are.

This is the perfect birthday wish for certain single friends.

  • I want to make a toast to you for your birthday. When can we meet up for drinks on me? Wish.
  • Let's make today special…and take good Instagram pics to make everyone jealous.
  • Who said getting older had to be boring? Time to throw a party. Happy birthday, friend.
  • I won't say your age because then I'll have to admit mine, but it doesn't matter because we don't look it, right? Happy birthday.
  • May the love and friendship you've shared with me come back to you in abundance on your birthday.
  • A true friend remembers your birthday but not your age.
  • Consider this your ticket to drinks on me. See you soon to celebrate.

This birthday wish turns a card into a certificate of sorts that your friend can turn in later for a good time.

  • Friends who gray together, stay together. Here's to many, many more.
  • They say the older you are, the wiser you become. At this rate, you’re basically Socrates.

A little facetiousness between friends is always fun.

  • So, how do you look younger every year? You share all your secrets with me, but not that one? Happy birthday anyway, friend.
  • Thank you for always giving great advice and never blaming me when I don't take it.
  • May this special day be just as incredible as the memories we've made together.

For the friend you’ve shared the most years of friendship with, this birthday greeting is perfect.

  • Birthdays come once a year, but friends like you come once in a lifetime. I'm so happy to call you mine.

Birthday wishes for a sibling.

Choosing the perfect birthday wishes for brother or sister birthday cards is a cinch with the right options in front of you. If you have an older sibling, maybe the birthday wishes that take a jab at age hit the spot. Or, if you spend a lot of time with your sibling, maybe the birthday wishes that express friendship are the way to go.

Whichever happy birthday wishes you choose, you can swap out “sister” for “brother” or vice versa.

  • You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime. Happy birthday.
  • Happy birthday to one of the few people whose birthday I can remember without a Facebook reminder.

In the days of birthday reminders and numbers stored in our smartphones, a sibling’s birthday is one of the few things we still remember without help.

  • You're so beautiful and wise and kind. I guess it runs in the family. Happy birthday, sister.
  • We’ve celebrated many birthdays together as siblings, but I never tire of it. I can’t wait to celebrate this one with you.
  • You're incredible, and my wish is to be more like you. (I know you're supposed to get the wish today, but you learned early that we have to share.)
  • I was always the favorite, but you're okay, too. Happy birthday.
  • I think today should be a national holiday, but until they make it official, let's do our best by eating cake and blowing off as many responsibilities as possible.
  • Happy birthday, brother. I'm glad we're past the days of fighting over cake.

Switch out “brother” and this can be one of the best birthday wishes for sister cards, too.

  • I'm so glad you never act your age — let's have some fun in celebration.

What are siblings good for it not to poke fun at one another?

  • You're my big sister, and I still look up to you. Thank you for always being there for me.
  • Today, we celebrate the amazing person you’ve become and who you’ll grow into in the coming year.
  • You still can't beat me at Monopoly, but maybe this year I’ll let you win. Happy birthday.
  • Happy birthday, sis. Don't forget, I know all your secrets — so save me an extra piece of cake.

This birthday wish is prime material to post a social graphic and embarrass your sibling online.

  • Today is a day to celebrate all the hard work and love you’ve put into those around you. You've made our lives better every day you’ve been in it.

This sibling birthday greeting makes for the kind of heartfelt birthday card your sibling will keep.

  • Forget about the past, you can’t change it. Forget about the future, you can’t predict it. And forget about the present, I didn’t get you one. Happy birthday, brother.
  • Cheers on your birthday. One step closer to adult diapers.

Birthday wishes for your kids.

Whether you have kids at home or adult children out on their own, wishing your kids happy birthday has a special sweetness to it. The anniversary of their births is the anniversary of when you became a parent, or when one of the most important people in your life came to be.

Birthday wishes for daughter cards and birthday wishes for sons range from heartfelt to funny because everyone’s dynamic with their kids is different. Choose the message that’s meaningful to you and send the perfect birthday card this year.

  • Happy birthday, son. You make me proud every single day, but today gives us reason to pause and celebrate.

Switch this or any other “son” out for “daughter,” depending on whom you’re sending the card to.

  • There aren't enough words to describe what you mean to me. You'll just have to settle for “happy birthday.”
  • Today is your birthday: the anniversary of the greatest joy I've known coming into my life. I love you and look forward to celebrating.
  • Happy birthday to the best daughter I could ever hope to have. I'm so proud of you, and I hope we can make today really special.
  • I always want to celebrate who you are, and your birthday is a whole day devoted to it.
  • May your birthday be as unforgettable as you are. Happy birthday, my sweet.
  • Just when I think you can’t brighten my life more, you continue to do it year after year.
  • Today is a gift: that's why they call it the present. Happy birthday.

A little parental advice can come in the form of a simple birthday wish like this one.

  • Your birthday is the one day of the year when you can have your cake and eat it too.
  • I'm so honored to call you my daughter. Happy birthday.

Birthday wishes for son or daughter often show a parent’s pride.

  • I can't express how much you mean to me, son. I'm thankful for you every day, but today, being your birthday, is my chance to be even louder about it.
  • You say you’ve always looked up to me. But now as you mature, the tables have turned. I admire and love you so much. Happy birthday.
  • May all your wishes come true — today and every day.

This birthday wish is a short and sweet and fits perfectly into a card.

  • Today, take the time to reflect on how much you mean to us. You impact us in so many ways, and we’re grateful to have you in our lives.
  • Before you were born, I didn’t know what I was missing. But being your parent has been one of the greatest privileges. Happy birthday, son.
  • It doesn’t matter how big you grow; you’ll always be my baby. Happy birthday.

For the gushy parents, this birthday wish hits the nail on the head.

Birthday wishes for extended family.

There are also birthday cards to write for Grandma and Grandpa, for uncles and aunts, for cousins, and for nieces and nephews. The perfect birthday wishes for anyone from a cousin to Great-Grandma Loise are on the other side of these curated birthday wishes.

Choose the birthday wish that fits each unique family relationship — and remember, you can switch “cousin” for “grandma,” “aunt” for “nephew,” etc. These are family-centric birthday wishes perfect for the relatives outside your closest circle.

  • You are the sweetest niece ever and I love spending time with you. I hope you have a happy day today.

Birthday wishes for niece or nephew cards are almost always perfect for grandparents, too.

  • I’m clearly the cool uncle who spoils you, so think about what you want to do to celebrate your birthday the next time we visit.
  • Remember: you get a birthday week, not just one day. Don’t let your parents tell you otherwise.

This is a cheeky greeting that’s especially well-suited for an uncle or aunt to send in a card.

  • Happy birthday, Grandpa. You always make me feel special and I hope you know how much you mean to me.
  • You're not just my aunt: you're my friend. I'm so thankful for the relationship we have. Happy birthday.

We don’t choose our family, so developing real friendships with family members is something special and worth mentioning in a heartfelt birthday card.

  • Let your grandma give you some advice: have fun today and don’t hold back. You only get one birthday a year.
  • I'm so glad we're related, cousin. I hope you have an amazing day and I look forward to the details later.
  • I'm thinking of you today, dear nephew. I'm so thankful you're in my life and I get to see the person you’ve become.
  • I hope your day is as special as you are, Grandma.
  • I love who you are and the part you play in this family, uncle. Happy birthday.

Switch “uncle” out for any extended family member, and this sweet birthday wish says a lot that only the receiver can understand. Wish.

  • Here's to another year of good health and happiness. I hope it's a great day.
  • May your birthday be filled with smiles and cake. (Oh wait, that’s redundant.) Many happy returns.
  • We get to celebrate another year of you, and I couldn’t be happier. Sending you warm wishes on your special day, Grandpa.
  • Sending love and hugs from afar on your big birthday.

It’s common to see families scattered across states, so this happy birthday wish is great for a family member who lives far away.

  • Sending you a bouquet of happiness and warm wishes on your birthday.
  • Wishing you another year full of strength and confidence. You deserve nothing but the best in life.

Birthday wishes for a parent.

Sending the right birthday wishes for Mom or Dad requires a special combination of affection, admiration, and celebration. Parents often spend more energy on children’s birthdays than their kids ever know, so when the spotlight is flipped in their direction, it can be meaningful to pick the right happy birthday greeting.

Choose the birthday wishes for Dad or Mom that hit home, and your parents will feel every bit of the message you want to convey.

  • What I like most about myself, I learned from you. Thank you for being my role model. Happy birthday.
  • It's your special day — you know, the day you get a free dessert at a restaurant in exchange for everyone staring at you while we sing.

Put this in a birthday card when you take Mom or Dad out to dinner, and this can provide a little foreshadowing if you plan on getting the whole restaurant to sing.

  • I take comfort in knowing that you'll always be older than me. Happy birthday.
  • I love you for so many reasons. And today you're giving me a reason to eat cake. (I thought I couldn’t love you more than I did, but this is the cherry on top.)
  • No matter how many birthday candles are lit, they'll never light up my life like you do. Happy birthday.
  • Your love for me makes me strong, and I am so grateful for you. Happy birthday.
  • You deserve to be celebrated. Thank you for everything you do.

This is one of the birthday wishes for Mom or Dad if they say they “don’t like” their birthday.

  • Q: What's the one thing you can always count on getting every birthday? A: Older.
  • Today is all about you and I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.
  • You make the world a better place every day, especially my world. Happy birthday.
  • Age is just a number. Unless I’m taking you to the movies and only want to pay the senior discount.
  • Cheers to the wisest man we know. Happy birthday.
  • You’ve brought so much joy to our lives. I hope that joy radiates back and fills you up — today and every day this year.
  • You don’t choose your family, but if you did, I’d always choose you. Happy birthday.

If you have the good fortune of a friendship with your parent beyond the parent-child affection, this birthday wish is extra special.

  • Happy birthday to the woman who always knows how to make me see the glass half full. Happy birthday.
  • As I look back on my life, I owe you everything and then some. Today, we celebrate you. Happy birthday.

Birthday wishes for a partner.

Find the best birthday wishes for wife birthday cards and the perfect birthday wishes for husbands. Most of these wishes work for girlfriends, boyfriends, and fiancés, too. Brace yourself for some syrupy sweetness, because many of these happy birthday wishes express warm adoration.

Choose the best happy birthday wish for your special someone, then let Adobe Express help you make the perfect birthday card to go with it.

  • Another year, and you're just getting sweeter.

Put this short birthday wish into a card and you’re guaranteed a reaction — if not a smile, then an eye-roll.

  • Your birthday is more than a day to celebrate you; it’s a reminder that I got to spend another year as your partner. Happy birthday.
  • You grow wiser and more praiseworthy every year. My love for you is truly ageless.

What better compliments to give a partner than being wise and praiseworthy?

  • Your birthday comes once a year, but my love will last forever. Happy birthday.
  • You are extraordinary to me and deserve an equally extraordinary day.
  • Your birthday always reminds me that you are the person I want to spend every year of my life with.
  • Thank you for always being there for me. Today is about you. Let’s make it a truly special day.

For the partner who’s always putting in the extra work, share this sentiment in a heartfelt birthday card.

  • Congratulations to your parents for having such an incredible person on this day.

If you have a relationship with your partner’s parents and they’re on social media, you can post a social media graphic with this birthday wish and tag your partner and the folks.

  • When you're on my mind, I smile. On your birthday, I smile all day.
  • Today marks the day you entered the world, and it's a better place for it. Happy birthday.
  • Let's go to a fancy dinner to celebrate, just you and me. Let me spoil you on your birthday like you spoil me all year.

This birthday message in a card can also act as a certificate for the receiver to “cash in.”

  • Know that I see everything you do for me. Thank you for working so hard to create this life for us. I hope I can make this day equally beautiful for you.
  • Wishing you a birthday as perfect as you are for me. Enjoy the day to the fullest.

There might not be such thing as a “perfect partner,” but calling your partner perfect for you is genuine and sweet.

  • Happy birthday to the partner of my dreams. You are truly my favorite human being.
  • Since I met you, everything seems brighter. You are the one I love, now and always. Happy birthday.
  • You remind me every day what makes life most enjoyable. I hope today is your most enjoyable day yet. Happy birthday.

Birthday wishes for coworker or boss.

Maybe they have to be work-appropriate, but that’s not the only thing birthday wishes for coworkers or bosses should be. Happy birthday wishes for the office should also say something about the role the receiver plays at work.

Take your pick of these birthday wishes for the office and rest assured that your birthday card will be met with a smile. You’ll definitely earn your slice of the cake.

  • Happy birthday to someone who makes coming to work every day worth it.
  • I thought we needed a company holiday today to celebrate you, but corporate didn't go for it. Happy birthday anyway.
  • May this birthday reflect your brightest aspirations and accomplishments.

A colleague who’s had a recent success will feel recognized with this birthday wish in a card.

  • Because you were born, we get to eat cake today. Happy birthday.
  • Congratulations: you’ve made another trip around the sun.
  • Wishing you a happy birthday, a fantastic year, and success in everything you hope to do.
  • May this year be the best one yet. Happy birthday.
  • Happy birthday. You’re one day closer to retirement.

For coworkers or a boss who’s already over the hill, this birthday greeting is particularly fun.

  • Don’t forget to smile awkwardly when the entire office sings “Happy Birthday.”
  • Working alongside you is an honor. Happy birthday to a friend and an indispensable work partner.
  • Hoping your birthday brings you many reasons to celebrate.
  • Happy birthday to a true asset to our team, and a very special person.
  • Happy birthday to someone I always see striving for excellence. I know you’ll achieve great things in the year to come.
  • May your birthday be filled with all that makes you happy, both personally and professionally.

Coworkers like to know that their wellbeing outside of work is valued, too.

  • I hope your birthday is filled with as much joy and satisfaction as a glitch-free video call.
  • Wishing you a birthday as inspiring as you are. You're a true role model to us all.

Best birthday quotes.

When you’re unsure about the perfect birthday wish, you still have the safety net of these birthday quotes. From Mark Twain to Maurice Chevalier, figures of the past — most of whom lived to ripe ages, themselves — left us with birthday and age-related quotes that go perfectly in any birthday card.

Peruse these birthday quotes and imagine your favorite one in the next birthday card you send.

  • “Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” — Satchel Paige
  • "Cherish all your happy moments; they make a fine cushion for old age.“ — Booth Tarkington
  • “Everything I know I learned after I was 30.“ — Georges Clemenceau

This birthday quote is perfect for a milestone 30th birthday card.

  • “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.“ — Mark Twain
  • “The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been.“ — Madeleine L'Engle
  • “Birthdays are nature's way of telling us to eat more cake.“ — Edward Morykwas

Of all the birthday wishes, quotes, and jokes about cake, this is one of the best.

  • “It's not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old. They grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.“ — Gabriel G. Marquez
  • “Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.“ — Larry Lorenzoni
  • “Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative.“ — Maurice Chevalier
  • “You know you're old when the candles cost more than the cake.“ — Bob Hope

This birthday quote goes perfectly in a card for parents or an older sibling.

  • “The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.“ — Lucille Ball
  • “Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you are aboard, there is nothing you can do about it.“ — Golda Meir
  • “Just remember, once you’re over the hill you begin to pick up speed.“ — Charles Schulz
  • “You can live to be a hundred if you give up all the things that make you want to live to be a hundred.“ — Woody Allen
  • “Today is the oldest you have been, and the youngest you will ever be. Make the most of it.“ — Nicky Gumbel
  • “Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you’ve got to start young.“ — Fred Astaire

BONUS: Best belated birthday wishes.

There are times when a birthday flies by and we simply forget. Belated birthday wishes are “better late than never,” as they say, and there are many cute, clever, and heartfelt ways to recognize your tardiness and still send happy birthday wishes.

Find the perfect belated birthday wish in these cherry-picked greetings. You’ll extend the birthday cheer for the receiver as soon as your card arrives.

  • I missed your big day, but I remember the important thing: that I love you and think you're amazing. Happy belated birthday.
  • I'd love to hear all about the birthday I just missed. How was your big day?

This is a great belated birthday wish and an opportunity to start a catch-up conversation.

  • I wanted to stand out from the pack, so I’m wishing you a happy birthday late. I hope it was a great one.
  • I bring belated tidings of good cheer. Sorry I missed your birthday, but I hope to make up for it soon. The next drink is on me when we meet.
  • Bad news: I forgot your birthday. Good news: This means I owe you a post-birthday cake. I hope you had a happy day.
  • I’m not late, I just wanted to extend the festivities. Happy belated birthday.
  • Your birthday isn’t a day, it’s a whole month. Celebrate as long as you can (or at least as long as you keep getting cards.) Happy belated birthday.
  • I really wanted to send you this birthday wish on time, but it wasn’t meant to be. Happiest of late birthday wishes.

Not all belated birthday wishes are the result of forgetting a birthday. Sometimes, the card just doesn’t get sent in time.

  • Don’t think of this card as late. It’s actually my way of giving you a few extra days to stay a year younger. Hope it was a happy birthday.
  • A belated happy birthday. May every wish come knocking on your door — and hopefully faster than this card.
  • Wishing you a belated but no less wonderful birthday. I hope your day was filled with love and memories made.
  • Someone has to keep the party going. You’re welcome. Happy belated birthday.
  • Birthdays are like stars — they shine even after they’ve passed. Belated birthday wishes to you for a sparkling year ahead.

Some of these sweet belated birthday greetings really lend themselves to beautiful card designs. Can you picture this one?

  • Please forgive my forgetfulness, but I couldn’t let more time pass without sending you belated birthday wishes. I hope it was a wonderful day.
  • They say good things come to those who wait. So, accept these belated birthday wishes for a fantastic year ahead.
  • Time got away from me, but my well wishes didn’t. Happy belated birthday to you.

How to use the right birthday greeting.

Picking your happy birthday wishes for cards and other birthday greetings isn’t always easy. Sometimes, there are added factors to be considered when you think about your recipient.

It’s important to be both considerate and creative with birthday wishes. Apply these tips to make your happy birthday wishes not just genuine, but mindful of each recipient’s frame of mind.

  • If someone has had a hard year leading up to this birthday, future-facing birthday wishes are sometimes more meaningful.
  • Some people don’t like their birthdays, so for these folks, consider birthday wishes that make it more about you (for example, your admiration or your wishes for their wellbeing).
  • Personalize your happy birthday wishes. Tweak a word or add a line to make your birthday greeting customized to the recipient and your relationship with that person.

Exercise: Too many options? Fill in the blanks.

If you’re stumped on a birthday greeting, play this fill-in-the-blank game to make an instantly sincere and personalized birthday wish. (There’s also a chance you’ll come up with something hilarious, which might be even better.)

Follow these steps:

Think of what the birthday person wants most today. It needs to be a noun (like “cake”) or a gerund verb (like “going to the movies”).
Think of an activity you like to do with the person. It needs to be worded as a verb, like this: “eat cake,” “go to the movies,” etc.
Describe the soonest you could possibly see this person.
Then, fill in the blanks below in order of your answers to 1-3.

“I hope your birthday is filled with ___________ and that we get to ____________ _____________. Happy birthday.”

Once you’re done, you have a genuine and personalized birthday wish.

Adobe Express can help.

Adobe Express online editor has tons of free templates and quick and easy customization options to put your favorite birthday wishes to work. If you want to play with happy birthday wishes in cards or other creative projects, Adobe Express makes it as simple as picking a template and personalizing it, or making your own idea with easy-to-use tools. Whatever message you want to convey, Adobe Express brings it to life, no experience required.

Start designing with Adobe Express