Should a Cover Letter Be Double Spaced? The Definitive Answer
TL;DR - Quick Answer
No, cover letters should NOT be double spaced. Use single spacing with a blank line between paragraphs. This is the standard business letter format and ensures your cover letter looks professional while fitting all necessary information on one page.
Key formatting rules: Single-space within paragraphs, add one blank line between paragraphs, use 1-inch margins, and stick to a professional 10-12pt font. This format has been the professional standard since the 1980s and remains the expectation among 94% of hiring managers today.
Need help? Use our AI Cover Letter Generator to automatically format your cover letter correctly, or browse our cover letter templates for pre-formatted examples.
5 Key Takeaways
Single spacing is standard: Cover letters should use single spacing within paragraphs with one blank line between paragraphs - this has been the business letter standard since the 1980s
One-page rule: Your cover letter must fit on one page; double spacing wastes valuable space and makes your letter look unprofessional
Hiring manager preference: 94% of recruiters expect single-spaced cover letters in standard business format
Modern vs. typewriter era: Double spacing was necessary for typewritten documents for readability and editing; modern word processors make this obsolete
Exception exists: Only use double spacing if explicitly requested in the job posting (extremely rare, less than 1% of applications)
Introduction
One of the most common formatting questions job seekers ask is whether their cover letter should be double spaced. The answer might surprise you: despite what you may have learned in academic writing, cover letters should be single spaced, not double spaced.
This formatting standard exists for practical reasons. A cover letter needs to convey your qualifications, enthusiasm, and fit for a position in a concise, professional manner—all within one page. Double spacing would make this nearly impossible and would signal to hiring managers that you're unfamiliar with business correspondence conventions.
According to a 2023 survey by TopResume, 94% of hiring managers expect cover letters to follow standard business letter format, which means single spacing. Using double spacing can actually hurt your chances, as 67% of recruiters view it as a sign of inexperience or lack of attention to professional norms.
The Standard Cover Letter Spacing Format
Here's the correct spacing format for cover letters:
Single spacing within paragraphs
One blank line between paragraphs
One blank line between your contact information and the date
One blank line between the date and recipient's address
One blank line between the recipient's address and salutation
One blank line between your closing and signature
This format maximizes readability while keeping your letter to one page. It's been the standard for business correspondence for over 40 years and is what hiring managers expect to see.
Why Cover Letters Aren't Double Spaced
Space Constraints
A cover letter must fit on one page. Double spacing would force you to cut essential information about your qualifications, experience, and enthusiasm for the role. With single spacing and blank lines between paragraphs, you can comfortably fit 3-5 substantial paragraphs that tell your professional story.
Professional Standards
Cover letters follow business letter format, not academic paper format. In the business world, single spacing is universal for formal correspondence. According to a study by Jobscan, 87% of application materials that don't follow standard business format are immediately flagged as unprofessional.
Historical Context
Double spacing was common in the typewriter era for two reasons: making corrections easier and improving readability of typed text. Modern word processors and printers produce clear, readable text with single spacing, making double spacing unnecessary and outdated.
What HR Professionals Say
"When I see a double-spaced cover letter, it immediately tells me the candidate doesn't understand business communication norms," says Sarah Reynolds, Senior Recruiter at Microsoft. "It's one of those small details that can disqualify an otherwise strong candidate."
Marcus Chen, Hiring Manager at Google, adds: "We receive thousands of applications. A double-spaced cover letter stands out—but not in a good way. It suggests the candidate hasn't researched proper business correspondence or doesn't pay attention to professional conventions."
When Double Spacing Is Acceptable
There is exactly one situation where you should double space your cover letter: when the job posting explicitly requests it. However, this is extremely rare—less than 1% of job postings specify double spacing.
If you encounter this requirement, it's likely for a specific reason related to the review process (such as allowing space for handwritten notes or accommodating accessibility needs). In this case, follow the instructions exactly.
Other Cover Letter Formatting Mistakes to Avoid
No spacing between paragraphs: Makes your letter look dense and hard to read
Inconsistent spacing: Some paragraphs with blank lines, others without—looks unprofessional
Too many blank lines: More than one blank line between sections wastes space
Wrong margins: Anything other than 1-inch margins (or 0.75-1.25 inches at most)
Font size issues: Smaller than 10pt or larger than 12pt looks unprofessional
Correctly Formatted Cover Letter Example
Here's how a properly spaced cover letter should look:
John Smith 123 Main Street City, ST 12345 john.smith@email.com (555) 123-4567
January 15, 2025
Ms. Jennifer Martinez Hiring Manager Tech Solutions Inc. 456 Business Ave City, ST 54321
Dear Ms. Martinez,
I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Software Engineer position at Tech Solutions Inc. With over seven years of experience developing scalable web applications and a proven track record of leading successful projects, I am confident I can contribute significantly to your team.
In my current role at Digital Innovations, I have led the development of three major product launches that increased user engagement by 45%. My expertise in React, Node.js, and cloud architecture aligns perfectly with the qualifications outlined in your job posting. I am particularly drawn to Tech Solutions' commitment to innovative problem-solving and collaborative development practices.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my technical skills and leadership experience can benefit Tech Solutions Inc. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Notice: Single spacing within paragraphs, one blank line between each section. The entire letter fits comfortably on one page while conveying all necessary information.
Quick Formatting Checklist
Before submitting your cover letter, verify:
☑ Single spacing within paragraphs
☑ One blank line between paragraphs
☑ One page maximum length
☑ 1-inch margins all around
☑ 10-12pt professional font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
☑ Proper business letter structure
☑ No double spacing anywhere
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I double space between paragraphs in a cover letter?
No, use single blank lines (hit Enter/Return once) between paragraphs. This creates clear visual separation without wasting space. Double spacing between paragraphs would make your letter exceed one page.
What spacing should I use in Microsoft Word for a cover letter?
Set line spacing to 1.0 (single spacing) and paragraph spacing to 0pt before and after. Then manually add one blank line between paragraphs by pressing Enter twice after each paragraph.
Do cover letters need to be single or double spaced in 2025?
Single spaced, with one blank line between paragraphs. This has been the standard since the 1980s and remains unchanged in 2025. Business letter format has not evolved to include double spacing.
Is 1.5 spacing acceptable for cover letters?
No. Use 1.0 (single) spacing only. 1.5 spacing is a compromise that still wastes too much space and doesn't conform to business letter standards. Stick with single spacing and blank lines between paragraphs.
How do I know if my cover letter spacing is correct?
Your properly formatted cover letter should fit comfortably on one page with 1-inch margins, have clear paragraph separation, and look clean and professional. If it exceeds one page with standard content, your spacing may be incorrect. Use our cover letter examples to see correct formatting.
What if the job posting doesn't specify spacing?
Always default to single spacing with blank lines between paragraphs. This is the universal standard. Only deviate if explicitly instructed otherwise.
Conclusion
The question of whether to double space your cover letter has a clear answer: no. Single spacing with one blank line between paragraphs is the professional standard that has been in place for decades and shows no signs of changing.
This formatting choice isn't arbitrary—it serves practical purposes. It allows you to fit substantial, meaningful content on one page while maintaining readability and professionalism. Following this standard signals to hiring managers that you understand business communication norms and pay attention to details.
If you want to ensure your cover letter has perfect formatting every time, try our AI-powered cover letter generator. It automatically applies correct spacing, margins, and structure while helping you craft compelling content tailored to each position. You can also explore our professional templates that come pre-formatted with the correct spacing.
