# Warm transfer vs cold transfer: choosing the right call handoff

> Original title: Warm transfer vs cold transfer: choosing the right call

- Source: ElevenLabs Blog
- Published: 2026-10-30T12:00:00.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/p8qg6z359spo4wkao7er2at5u
- Original: https://elevenlabs.io/blog/warm-transfer-vs-cold-transfer

## Summary

ElevenLabs explains that a warm transfer gives the receiving party context before connecting the caller, while a cold transfer connects them with no advance briefing. A tepid transfer dials the destination and connects once someone answers, without a live introduction. The article says warm transfers suit complex or sensitive issues, cold transfers suit simple high-volume routing, and every warm transfer needs a short context summary and a fallback for unanswered calls.