Auto Attendant Scripts: 30 Examples You Can Copy
An auto attendant script is the wording a caller hears when your phone system answers. Get it right and callers reach the correct person in seconds. Get it wrong and they press zero, hang up, or call a competitor.
Below are 30 ready-to-use auto attendant scripts, grouped by the situation you need them for: main menus, after-hours, holidays, medical offices, law firms, real estate, multi-location businesses and bilingual greetings. Replace anything in (parentheses) with your own details and record them as-is.
How to use these scripts
Three rules apply to every script on this page:
- Greeting first, menu second. Callers need to know they dialled the right number before they can process options.
- Five options maximum. Beyond five, callers stop listening and start pressing zero. If you need more, nest a second menu.
- Verb before number. Say “for billing, press 2” — not “press 2 for billing.” Callers are listening for the department, not the digit.
Keep the whole main menu under 30 seconds. If yours runs longer, you have too many options.
General business main menu scripts
1. Standard department menu
Thank you for calling (Company Name).
Please select from the following menu options.
For Customer Support, press 1.
For Sales and Product Information, press 2.
For Human Resources, press 3.
For Accounts Payable, press 4.
To reach the operator, press 0.
To repeat this menu, press star.
2. Short menu with a positioning line
Thank you for calling (Company Name).
We help companies just like yours navigate change in the technology world.
To better assist you, please select from one of the following menu options.
For technical support, please press 1.
For billing and payment assistance, press 2.
To learn how (Company Name) can help your business, press pound.
3. Small team, named people
Hello and welcome, you have reached (Company Name).
To expedite your request, please select from the following options:
For (First Last), press 1.
For (First Last), press 2.
For (First Last), press 3.
For support with a current or pending order, press 4 and you will be connected to customer service.
Thank you for choosing (Company Name).
4. Menu options have changed
Welcome to (Company Name).
Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed.
For residential sales, press 1.
For installer and integrator sales, press 2.
For product questions or technical support, press 3.
For questions about an existing order, or any other customer service inquiry, press 4.
If you are a current supplier, press 5.
For a dial-by-name directory, press pound.
5. Company with a web self-service option
Thank you for calling (Company Name), the leaders in (industry or specialty).
Many questions can be answered at (CompanyURL.com).
If you know your party’s extension, you may dial it at any time.
For sales, press 1.
For customer service, press 2.
For accounts receivable, press 3.
To repeat these options, press star.
Dial-by-name and extension scripts
“If you know your party’s extension, you may dial it at any time” is the single most useful line in any auto attendant. It lets repeat callers skip the menu entirely. Place it immediately after the greeting, before the options.
6. Extension plus directory
Thank you for calling (Company Name).
If you know your party’s extension, you may dial it at any time.
For a directory by employee name, press 1 and say the name of the person you are trying to reach.
To reach an operator, press 0.
To leave a message in our general voicemail, press star and someone will return your call shortly.
7. Fixed-length extension prompt
Welcome to (Company Name), your first choice for (specialty).
If you know your party’s three-digit extension, you may enter it at any time during this message.
To speak with a Sales Representative, press 2.
For Customer Service, press 3.
For Technical Development, press 4.
To leave a message in the general mailbox, press 5.
Thank you for calling, and don’t forget to visit us at (CompanyURL.com).
8. Administrative office with named staff
Thank you for calling the administrative offices of (Company Name).
If you know your party’s extension, you may dial it at any time, or for a company directory press 9.
For our office locations, telephone and fax information, please visit (CompanyURL.com).
For payment and billing questions, press 3.
For accounting, press 4.
For payroll and HR, press 5.
To reach (Name), our Executive Director, press 7.
To reach (Name), our Administrative Assistant, press 0.
To hear these options again, press star.
Auto attendant scripts for medical offices and clinics
Medical menus carry one obligation no other industry has: the emergency line must come first, before the greeting finishes and before any menu option. Never bury it.
9. General medical practice
Thank you for calling (Practice Name).
If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 911.
To schedule, change or cancel an appointment, press 1.
To reach our nursing staff, press 2.
For prescription refills, press 3.
For billing and insurance, press 4.
For all other questions, press 0 to reach the front desk.
10. Urgent care with multiple locations
Thank you for calling (Company Name) Urgent Care.
If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 911.
For clinic locations, directions, hours and services, please visit (CompanyURL.com).
For billing inquiries, press 1.
To speak with our (County or City) clinic, press 2.
For our (County or City) clinic, press 3.
For our (County or City) clinic, press 4.
To hear these options again, press 9 or stay on the line.
11. Dental practice
Thank you for calling (Practice Name) Dental.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, press 1 to reach our on-call provider.
To book, confirm or reschedule an appointment, press 2.
For treatment plans, insurance or payment questions, press 3.
To speak with a member of our team, press 0.
12. Specialist referral line
You have reached (Practice Name), specialists in (specialty).
If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 911.
If you are a referring physician, press 1.
If you are a patient calling about a scheduled procedure, press 2.
For medical records, press 3.
For billing, press 4.
For all other calls, please hold and a member of our team will assist you.
13. Behavioral health practice
Thank you for calling (Practice Name).
If this is a mental health emergency, please hang up and dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or 911.
To schedule or change an appointment, press 1.
To reach your provider directly, press 2 and enter their extension.
For billing and insurance, press 3.
For new patient inquiries, press 4.
Auto attendant scripts for law firms
Legal callers are often distressed and calling about one specific matter. Route by practice area rather than by department, and always give new callers a dedicated option — a missed intake call is a missed case.
14. General practice firm
Thank you for calling the Law Offices of (Firm Name).
If you know your attorney’s extension, you may dial it at any time.
If you are a new client seeking a consultation, press 1.
If you are an existing client calling about your matter, press 2.
For billing, press 3.
For our office address and hours, press 4.
To reach reception, press 0.
15. Practice-area routing
Thank you for calling (Firm Name).
For personal injury, press 1.
For family law, press 2.
For estate planning and probate, press 3.
For business and corporate matters, press 4.
If you are unsure which department you need, press 0 and we will direct your call.
16. Intake-first firm
Thank you for calling (Firm Name). We appreciate you reaching out.
If this is your first time contacting our office, press 1 and one of our intake specialists will speak with you right away.
If you are a current client, press 2 to reach your legal team.
For court dates, documents or records, press 3.
For accounting, press 4.
Auto attendant scripts for real estate offices
17. Residential brokerage
Thank you for calling (Brokerage Name).
If you know your agent’s extension, you may dial it at any time.
If you are buying a home, press 1.
If you are selling a home, press 2.
For property management and rentals, press 3.
For transaction coordination and closing documents, press 4.
To reach our front desk, press 0.
18. Property management
Thank you for calling (Company Name) Property Management.
If this is a maintenance emergency such as flooding, fire or a gas leak, press 1 now to reach our on-call team.
For non-emergency maintenance requests, press 2.
If you are a current resident with a question about rent or your lease, press 3.
If you are interested in renting a property, press 4.
If you are a property owner, press 5.
19. Listing inquiry line
Thank you for calling (Agent or Team Name) at (Brokerage).
To hear details on the property you are calling about, press 1.
To schedule a showing, press 2.
To speak with (Agent Name) directly, press 3.
To leave a message, press 4 and we will return your call the same day.
After-hours auto attendant scripts
An after-hours greeting should always do three things: state that you are closed, say exactly when you reopen, and give the caller one concrete next step. “Please call back during business hours” without stating those hours is the most common mistake on this page.
20. Standard after-hours
Thank you for calling (Company Name). Our offices are currently closed.
Our regular business hours are (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time).
To leave a message, press 1 and we will return your call on the next business day.
For assistance online, please visit (CompanyURL.com).
21. After-hours with emergency routing
You have reached (Company Name) after normal business hours.
Our team is available (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
If you have an urgent service issue that cannot wait until morning, press 1 to reach our on-call technician.
For anything else, press 2 to leave a message and we will call you back first thing.
22. Lunch or short closure
Thank you for calling (Company Name).
Our office is closed for lunch between (12 p.m. and 1 p.m.) and will reopen shortly.
Please leave your name, number and a brief message after the tone, and we will return your call this afternoon.
23. Weekend greeting
Thank you for calling (Company Name). We are closed for the weekend.
We will reopen (Monday at 8 a.m.).
To leave a message, stay on the line. To place an order or check your account, visit (CompanyURL.com) any time.
Holiday and closure scripts
24. Single holiday
Thank you for calling (Company Name).
Our offices are closed on (Holiday) and will reopen on (Day, Date) at (Time).
Please leave a message and we will return your call when we reopen.
We wish you and your family a happy holiday.
25. Extended holiday period
Thank you for calling (Company Name).
Our offices are closed for the holiday period from (Date) through (Date), reopening (Day, Date).
If you have an urgent matter during this time, press 1 to reach our on-call team.
Otherwise, please leave a message and we will respond when we return.
26. Unplanned closure or weather
Thank you for calling (Company Name).
Due to (severe weather / a power outage / an unforeseen circumstance), our office is closed today, (Date).
We expect to reopen (Day) at (Time).
For urgent matters, press 1. Otherwise, please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as we return.
Bilingual and Spanish-language scripts
Offer the language choice in the target language, not in English. A Spanish-speaking caller may not follow “for Spanish, press 2” — but they will follow “para Español, marque dos.”
27. Language selection first
Thank you for calling (Company Name). Para Español, marque dos.
To continue in English, press 1 or stay on the line.
28. Bilingual service centre menu
Thank you for calling the (Company Name) participant service centre.
This call may be recorded for quality and training purposes.
If you know the extension of the representative you are trying to reach, you may dial it at any time.
Para Español, marque uno.
If you are having trouble logging into your account or need a password reset, press 2.
To inquire about your account balance, press 3.
If you are calling about a withdrawal, press 4.
To inquire about a loan from your account, press 5.
For all other inquiries, press 6.
To hear these options again, press star.
Voicemail and hold message scripts
29. General voicemail box
You have reached the voicemail of (Company Name).
Please leave your name, telephone number and a brief message after the tone, and a member of our team will return your call within one business day.
If your call is urgent, you may also reach us at (alternate number).
30. On-hold message
Thank you for holding. All of our representatives are currently assisting other callers.
Your call is important to us and will be answered in the order it was received.
If you would prefer not to wait, press 1 to leave a message and we will call you back without losing your place in line.
How to write an auto attendant script that works
The scripts above cover most situations, but if you are writing your own, these are the differences between a menu that routes callers and one that frustrates them.
- Open with your company name. The caller’s first job is confirming they dialled correctly. Everything else waits.
- Put the department before the digit. “For billing, press 2” is easier to follow than “press 2 for billing,” because callers are scanning for their reason for calling.
- Order options by call volume. Whatever most people call about goes first. Check your call reports rather than guessing.
- Always offer a human. Pressing 0 should reach a person. Menus with no escape route drive callers to hang up and dial a competitor.
- Never announce a wait you cannot honour. “Your call will be answered in two minutes” is a promise. Break it and the caller remembers.
- Re-record when things change. An outdated holiday greeting playing in March signals nobody is minding the phones.
- Read it aloud before recording. Sentences that look fine on paper often run out of breath when spoken.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an auto attendant script be?
Keep the main menu under 30 seconds, including the greeting. Callers begin to disengage after about five options, so if your menu runs longer, move less-common choices into a submenu rather than lengthening the first one.
How many options should an auto attendant menu have?
Between three and five. Fewer than three usually means the menu is not doing useful work; more than five means callers stop listening and press zero.
Should I say “press 1 for sales” or “for sales, press 1”?
Say the department first: “for sales, press 1.” Callers listen for the reason they called, not the number. Leading with the digit forces them to hold it in memory while they wait to hear whether it applies.
What should an after-hours message include?
Three things: that you are closed, the exact time you reopen, and one action the caller can take now — leave a message, visit your website, or press a key for the on-call line.
Can an AI receptionist replace an auto attendant menu?
Often, yes. Instead of pressing numbers, the caller says what they need and is routed accordingly — and unlike a menu, an AI receptionist can book the appointment, answer common questions and take a message. Menus still make sense where routing is simple and fixed.
Do I need to say calls are recorded?
If you record calls, disclose it in the greeting. Several US states require all parties to consent, and the auto attendant is the natural place to do it. Check the rules for the states you operate in.
Put these scripts to work
Every script on this page can be built in a PrimeCall phone system: multi-level menus, dial-by-name directories, scheduled after-hours and holiday greetings, and separate routing per location. If you would rather callers spoke naturally than pressed numbers, our AI Receptionist answers around the clock, routes the call, books appointments and takes messages.
Book a 15-minute demo to see your menu built live, or compare plans and pricing.