55 happy birthday message ideas for your friends

When it comes to friends — besties or new ones — a heartfelt birthday wish should be at the top of your list to help them celebrate their day. What you write in a birthday card, send as a text or simply share with them face-to-face can actually be the best birthday gift they receive (although, we do have a ton of great suggestions if you're looking for some gift ideas).

With our huge list of birthday wishes for a friend that range from sweet and sentimental to short and funny, you can find the right words to express how you feel about the birthday boy or girl. There are thoughtful quotes and unique messages you can use to wish your best friend of 20 years the happiest birthday ever. Then, for, say, co-workers, there are short ways to say "Happy Birthday!" without going overboard. And if your friend is more like family, you can also take a look at our best birthday wishes for sisters and great messages for brothers.

Short and sweet birthday wishes for friends

1. Wishing my bestie, the absolute best on her best day of the year!

2. Cheers to more fun, more memories and more cake!

3. HBD to my favourite secret keeper!

4. Wishing my bestie, the best day ever!

5. I can’t imagine life without my best friend. Happy birthday!

6. Friends make everything better. Happy birthday!

7. I can’t think of a better gift than your friendship. Happy birthday!

8. Cheers to another trip around the sun!

9. Happy birthday to the best confidante!

10. Happy birthday to my favourite partner in crime!

11. Happy birthday to my best friend in the whole wide world!

12. Cheers to your personal new year! Let’s live it up.

13. Wishing you the best birthday yet.

14. Happy birthday to the person who knows all my secrets

15. I hope all your wishes come true today.

16. You make the world a better and brighter place. Happy birthday, bestie!

17. Happy birthday to my beautiful friend! You're the best!

18. Enjoy your special day to the fullest, bestie!

19. Happy cake day!

Funny birthday wishes for friends

1. If you’re waiting for your birthday gift, close your eyes and make a wish. Surprise, it’s me! Happy birthday!

2. Happy birthday to the most fabulous woman I know. Oh wait, it’s not my birthday!

3. Happy birthday to an old lady who still knows how to party!

4. Follow These Steps: 1) Eat cake. 2) Eat cake. 3) Eat cake. 4) Repeat until you’ve had a Happy Birthday.

5. Here’s to another year of our silly shenanigans! Happy birthday to my crazy bestie.

6. We’re both getting old, but who’s counting? Happy birthday!

7. I’m sure you feel pretty lucky to call me a friend. Not everyone is as fortunate as you. Happy birthday!

8. Happy birthday, bestie. I hope you’re not looking for a present because my presence is my precious gift to you.

9. Without you, my therapy bills would be outrageous! Happy birthday, BFF.

10. They aren't grey hairs, they're wisdom highlights.

11. Best friends are awesome, especially yours. Happy birthday, gorgeous!

12. May all your birthday wishes come true — except for the illegal ones.

13. Getting older is inevitable. Growing up is a choice! Happy birthday, to the biggest kid I know.

14. We’ve been friends for so long I can’t remember which one of us is the bad influence! Happy birthday!

15. Don't think of it as aging, think of it as becoming a classic!

Thoughtful birthday wishes for friends

1. Friends may come and go, but real ones never leave. Thank you for your friendship. Happy birthday!

2. When I think about some of my favourite memories, you’re always a part of them. Cheers to more fun times together over your next year.

3. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my best friend happy. Happy birthday, bff!

4. If there’s one person I can always count on, you’re the one. Wishing you a happy birthday!

5. We’ve shared so many good times together and I can’t wait to see what’s next! Happy birthday!

6. Happy birthday to the person who can make me laugh when I want to cry. You’re the best friend any girl could have.

7. When we met, I knew that you’d always be a part of my life. Happy birthday!

8. A true friend is someone who will go to the ends of the earth to make the other person happy. You’ve done that for me countless times — thank you and happy birthday!

9. A friend doesn’t leave when times get hard. You’ve shown me that you’re here for the long haul and I’m forever grateful. Happy birthday.

10. You have no idea how much your friendship means to me. I may not say it often, but I love you and wish you nothing but happiness today and always. Happy birthday!

11. You shine as bright as the candles on your cake. Keep lighting up every room. Happy birthday!

12. Every year on this day, I am reminded to count my blessings because I get to call you a friend.

13. Happy birthday! I'm so excited to celebrate this birthday with you and so many more in the future.

14. To me, this day will always hold special meaning since it marks the day that the world was made better by your presence. Happy Birthday!

15. You brighten my life, and I am so grateful to have you by my side. Happy birthday!

16. No one knows me better than you and I hope all your birthday wishes come true.

17. Today I celebrate you and all the joy you bring into my life. I love and cherish you today and always.

18. I wish everyone could be as lucky as me to find a friend who is as caring, loving and special as you. Happy birthday, BFF.

19. Friends are the family we get to choose and I’m so glad that we chose each other. Happy birthday to my wonderful best friend.

20. Happy birthday to the person who means the world to me.

21. We’ve been together through thick and thin and I’m so proud to call you my friend. Wishing you the happiest birthday!

You Might Also Like

• The anti-ageing wonder ingredient you’re missing in your skincare routine

• 15 dresses perfect for a summer wedding

• 6 items our fashion team always take on a beach holiday