The BIFF® Method
Respond to hostile messages without making it worse.
BIFF® — Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm — is the High Conflict Institute's simple method for replying to hostile or blaming emails, texts, and posts. Created by Bill Eddy, it's used worldwide by parents, professionals, and organizations to take the heat out of an exchange in four short steps.
What makes a message BIFF?
- B
Brief
Keep it short. A long reply gives a high-conflict person more to react to.
- I
Informative
Stick to straight, useful information — not opinions, defenses, or emotions.
- F
Friendly
A brief friendly greeting or closing lowers the temperature of the exchange.
- F
Firm
End the conversation or set a clear limit — kindly, but without leaving the door open to more conflict.
Three ways to put BIFF to work
Read it free
Start with the step-by-step guide and real before-and-after examples.
How to write a BIFF Response® → 4 BIFF response examples →Get the book
Bill Eddy's pocket guide — dozens of ready-to-adapt examples for hostile email, texts, and social-media meltdowns.
BIFF: Quick Responses to High-Conflict People →Train on it
Practice writing BIFF responses with HCI's structured training.
BIFF Response® training →BIFF for your situation
Co-parenting & divorce
BIFF for CoParent Communication → How to communicate with a high-conflict ex →Ready to stop dreading the next message?
Keep BIFF in your pocket, or bring it to your whole team.