Thanks vs Thanks by the way

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Thanks

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 exclamation

Thanks by the way

Informal Top 5,000 (fairly common)

Most formal: Thanks Most common: Thanks

	Thanks	Thanks by the way
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/θæŋks/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/θæŋks/"]/	🇬🇧 //θæŋks baɪ ðə weɪ// 🇺🇸 //θæŋks baɪ ðə weɪ//
Meaning	A word you say to be polite and show you appreciate something.	A phrase used to add thanks casually.
Example	‘How are you?’ ‘Fine, thanks *(= thanks for asking)*.’	Thanks by the way for helping me with my project.
Register	Neutral	Informal
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 5,000 (fairly common)
CEFR level	A1	-
Part of speech	exclamation
Collocations	say thanks, thanks for your help, thanks a lot, thanks in advance, give thanks	thanks by the way, say thanks, thanks for your help
Antonyms	no thanks, refusal	-
Common mistakes	Using 'thank' instead of 'thanks' in informal contexts., Forgetting to add 'you' in 'thank you'., Saying 'thanks a lot' in a sarcastic tone when it’s not meant to be sarcastic.	Used in formal emails or speeches., Omitting 'by the way'., Confusing with 'thank you very much'.
Usage notes	Used in everyday conversations to express gratitude. It can be informal among friends or more formal in professional settings. 'Thanks' is usually appropriate, but in very formal situations, 'thank you' might be preferred.	Use this phrase in informal conversations to express gratitude while mentioning something else. It's not suitable for formal situations.

See it in real clips

Friends › S1 E1

Thanks.

Ted Lasso › S1 E1

[Nathan] Thanks, thanks.

Thanks.

Friends › S1 E1

Thanks.

Ted Lasso › S1 E1

[Nathan] Thanks, thanks.

Thanks

Agent Carter › S1 E1

Thanks, by the way.

Thanks by the way

Frequently asked questions: Thanks vs Thanks by the way

What's the difference between Thanks and Thanks by the way?

Thanks: A word you say to be polite and show you appreciate something. Thanks by the way: A phrase used to add thanks casually.

Which is more formal: Thanks and Thanks by the way?

Thanks is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Thanks and Thanks by the way?

Thanks is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Thanks: ‘How are you?’ ‘Fine, thanks *(= thanks for asking)*.’ Thanks by the way: Thanks by the way for helping me with my project.

Can I use Thanks and Thanks by the way interchangeably?

Not always. Thanks and Thanks by the way are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.