I got it means I understand, all clear, noted: a short way to confirm that an explanation or request has got through. Its second common meaning is I received it: Did you get my email? — Yes, I got it. In speech and messages it's often shortened to Got it; that's fine with a colleague, but in a formal email I understand works better.
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I got it / Got it (= I understand); Got it, thanks; I got it (= I received it: email, parcel, message)
- Turn left after the bridge, and it's the second house on the right. — Got it, thanks.
- Can you send me the figures before five? — Sure, got it.
- Did you get my parcel? — Yes, I got it this morning, thank you so much.
What changed
First versionBring the documents to room 12 at ten. — Okay, I understood.
RevisionBring the documents to room 12 at ten. — Okay, got it.
It feels logical to confirm with the past tense, I understood, because you understood a moment ago. But in English the past tense here points to a moment in the past, and the reply sounds unfinished, like the start of I understood, but… In reply to instructions, people say Got it or I understand: the understanding is there now. In Got it, the form got is fixed and isn't heard as a story about the past.
I get it also means I understand, but more often about the point of something, a joke or someone's feelings: I get it, you're tired. And an irritated I get it, I get it! in an argument means yes, I understand already, enough.
Your turn
— Did my message come through? — Yes, I ___ it, but I haven't read it yet.
Show the answer
got — The question is whether the message arrived, and the person hasn't read it yet. So it's about receiving it: got. Understood doesn't fit: you can't understand a text you haven't read.
A colleague explains where to pick up the office keys. Write a short reply with got it and repeat one detail, the place or the time, to show you understood.
Got it, I'll pick up the keys from reception before eight.
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