75 thoughtful graduation wishes to celebrate commencement

Congratulations to the class of 2024!

Among life's biggest moments are graduations. The culmination of hard work and accomplishment, a commencement of any kind is cause for celebration.

However you choose to recognize a special graduate this year, whether it be hosting a party or giving a gift, don't forget to acknowledge the big day with a few words from the heart.

To help you find just the right thing to say, we've compiled a list of graduation wishes, funny sayings and inspiring quotes to recognize this monumental achievement.

From kindergarten right up through college and beyond, these wishes are a fit for just about any kind of graduate you'd like to honor.

Looking for something meaningful for a child or grandchild? Try, “Just when we thought you couldn’t possibly make us more proud, you went and did it again.”

Should you need a funny quote for a friend, use, “They say nothing is impossible. You’re the proof. Happy Graduation!”

If you like those, then you're in luck, because there are plenty more in the list below. Choose one of them for your card or use these graduation messages to inspire your own sentiments.

Whatever you decide, your sweet or amusing message is sure to bring a smile as they walk across the stage.

Inspirational graduation wishes

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • The hat and tassel were worth the hassle.

  • Forget the sky. There's no limit to what you can achieve.

  • You're the example of what happens when good people do great things.

  • Cap & gown: It’s going down!

  • Just when I thought you couldn't be any more amazing. Congratulations!

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • From here, the possibilities are endless.

  • Who knew you'd be this successful? Me. That's who.

  • Go to the head of the class ... wait, you're already there.

  • Life's milestones are made up of moments just like this. Happy graduation.

  • You believed you could. Then you did.

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • You are your own brand of incredible. We are so proud.

  • Set a course for adventure and set sail.

  • There are plenty of good things in the world and you're one of them. Congratulations!

  • It's not the graduation that matters, but the friends we made along the way.

  • Sometimes you don't know what you can do until you do it.

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • Just when we thought you couldn't possibly make us more proud, you went and did it again.

  • Thanks to you, the bar has officially been raised. Congratulations on your achievement.

  • You made it look easy. Well done!

  • The only way to climb a mountain is one step at a time. Congratulations on reaching the summit.

  • Your day. Your way. Happy Graduation. You did it!

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • Congratulations, graduate. Where you're going is going to be even better than the legacy you leave behind.

  • You’re a shooting star blazing across the sky of life. Congratulations.

  • May the sweet reward of success guide you well into the future.

  • No need to worry about what you’re going to be after this, you’re already great.

  • If at first you don’t succeed, remember that the only person that defines success is you. Congratulations.

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • Just keep believin’ and the next chapter will be even better.

  • Whatever you did, it worked. Happy Graduation Day.

  • The you that’s yet to come is going to be even better. Good luck!

  • A thousand little steps led to one big day. Congratulations on your graduation.

  • If you can dream it, you can graduate it.

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • Look out world, here comes someone ready to rock it.

  • We couldn’t be more proud of all you’ve accomplished.

  • You’re going to be amazing. How do I know? Because you already are.

  • I may not know what comes next, but one thing’s for sure: You’re going to be great. Good luck.

  • Set sail for the future and chart a course to success.

  • You make us so proud just by being you. Every single day. And we can’t wait to see what comes next.

  • It’s heartwarming to see someone you love so much blossom into the person you always knew they would be.

  • There are a lot of people proud of you today. None of them more than me. Congratulations.

Short graduation wishes

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • Hat’s off to you!

  • Ready. Set. GO!

  • The sky’s the limit.

  • You put the “A” in amazing.

  • Next stop? Success.

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • The next step in the journey is only a tassel away.

  • Now’s your time to shine.

  • You made it look easy. Congratulations.

  • Tassel: turned. Check!

  • The best is yet to come.

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • Let the games begin.

  • Take a bow.

  • You will be everything and then some.

  • You. Are. Extraordinary.

  • Celebrating your awesomeness. Happy Graduation Day.

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • Gown and cap = No looking back.

  • Hip! Hip! Hooray! You’re a graduate today.

  • Officially the world’s greatest graduate. Period.

  • You’re killin’ it. But you already knew that.

  • What an accomplishment! Congratulations to the graduate.

Funny graduation wishes

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to par-tay!

  • Done. Fini. Complete. Over and outta here.

  • Do your homework ... says no one after today.

  • Congrats on your acheevemint. Acheavement. Acomplishmint. Nevermind. Congrats on your diploma.

  • You came. You saw. You graduated. (Phew!)

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • It's not the journey that matters. It's the graduation.

  • I don't own a microphone, but if I did, I'd drop it in your honor.

  • They say nothing is impossible. You're the proof. Happy Graduation!

  • College is just around the corner. And so is our washing machine. Looking forward to four more years of laundry.

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • Congratulations on your graduation. We're turning your room into a gym.

  • You really did it. No, seriously, you actually did it. Well done.

  • You make the rest of us look bad. Not that we needed any help.

  • Whoa! Who knew? Good job and good luck.

Graduation Wishes
Graduation Wishes
  • Oh, heck yeah, you did it!

  • The only SAT’s from here on out are the ones in SAT-urday.

  • You made it! Next stop? The University of No Parents.

  • Graduation is overrated. Not in your case, of course.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com