Cool MateNo worries vs That's okay
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No worries
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
That's okay
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: That's okay
| No worries | That's okay | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ ˈwʌriz//🇺🇸 //noʊ ˈwɜriz// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts əˈkeɪ//🇺🇸 //ðæts oʊˈkeɪ// |
| Meaning | Don't worry or be anxious. | It's all right. |
| Example | You forgot your notebook? No worries, you can borrow mine. | I forgot to call you, but that's okay. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | say no worries, express no worries, have no worries | that's okay with me, that's okay to do, that's okay if you can't |
| Antonyms | - | that's not okay, absolutely not |
| Common mistakes | Using in formal settings where a professional tone is required., Confusing with 'no problem', which is slightly different in usage., Believing it means 'not worried' when it’s a reassurance expression. | Using 'that's okay' in very formal situations, Confusing with 'that's fine' which can sound more dismissive, Mispronouncing or slurring words in quick speech |
| Usage notes | Used to reassure someone that everything is fine. It’s common in casual conversations and less formal settings. Avoid in formal writing or serious situations. | Used to reassure someone or indicate acceptance. Appropriate in most informal and neutral contexts, but can be overly casual in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: No worries vs That's okay
What's the difference between No worries and That's okay?
No worries: Don't worry or be anxious. That's okay: It's all right.
Which is more formal: No worries and That's okay?
That's okay is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
No worries: You forgot your notebook? No worries, you can borrow mine. That's okay: I forgot to call you, but that's okay.
Can I use No worries and That's okay interchangeably?
Not always. No worries and That's okay 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.