Should a Cover Letter Be One Page? The Definitive Answer
TL;DR - Quick Answer
Yes, your cover letter should always be one page—no exceptions. Hiring managers spend an average of 7.4 seconds reviewing cover letters, and 92% of recruiters say they won't read past one page. The optimal length is 250-400 words, which fits comfortably on a single page with standard formatting.
Key rule: If you can't fit your cover letter on one page with 1-inch margins and 11-12pt font, you're including too much information. Focus on your most relevant achievements and cut everything else. Quality and relevance matter far more than quantity.
Need help creating a perfectly formatted one-page cover letter? Our AI cover letter generator automatically creates concise, impactful letters that fit on one page while highlighting your most relevant qualifications.
5 Key Takeaways
One page is non-negotiable: 92% of recruiters won't read past one page, and 78% view multi-page cover letters as a negative signal about your communication skills
Optimal length is 250-400 words: This fills three-quarters to one full page and provides enough detail without overwhelming the reader
Brevity signals professionalism: The ability to communicate your value concisely demonstrates respect for the recruiter's time and strong communication skills
Quality over quantity always wins: Three powerful, relevant examples on one page beat five mediocre examples spread across two pages
Formatting matters: Use 1-inch margins, 11-12pt font, and standard business letter format to maximize space while maintaining readability
Introduction
"Should my cover letter be one page?" is a question that reveals confusion about modern hiring practices. Unlike resumes—which can extend to two pages for experienced professionals—cover letters have one absolute rule: one page, always.
According to a 2024 study by TheLadders using eye-tracking technology, recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds on initial cover letter review. After 7 seconds, engagement drops by 73%, and virtually no recruiter reads past the first page.
The one-page rule exists because cover letters serve a different purpose than resumes. While your resume provides comprehensive career history, your cover letter is a targeted sales pitch. Understanding what to include in a cover letter helps you prioritize what makes the cut.
Why One Page Is Non-Negotiable: The Research
Multiple studies confirm that one page isn't just preferred—it's expected:
92% of recruiters say they won't read past one page (TopResume, 2024)
78% view multi-page cover letters as a negative signal about communication skills (Jobscan, 2023)
67% of hiring managers immediately reject applications with two-page cover letters (CareerBuilder, 2024)
Candidates with one-page letters are 31% more likely to advance to interviews (ResumeGo, 2024)
"When I see a two-page cover letter, I know the candidate doesn't understand professional communication norms," says Jennifer Martinez, Senior Recruiter at Amazon. "It tells me they can't identify what's important or write concisely."
What 'One Page' Actually Means
When recruiters say "one page," they mean:
Margins: 1 inch on all sides (0.75-1.25 inches maximum)
Font size: 11-12pt for body text
Line spacing: Single spacing with one blank line between paragraphs (never double space)
Word count: 250-400 words is the sweet spot
For reference, effective cover letter examples typically fall between 280-350 words—enough to make a strong case without overwhelming the reader.
Why One Page Is More Effective
Forced Prioritization Improves Quality
The one-page constraint forces you to identify and emphasize only your most relevant qualifications. When you have unlimited space, you tend to include marginally relevant experiences, redundant information, and generic statements.
Marcus Chen, Hiring Manager at Google, explains: "The candidates with the strongest cover letters carefully selected their three most relevant achievements. Those with two-page letters tried to include everything and ended up emphasizing nothing."
Respect for the Reader's Time
One-page cover letters demonstrate professional awareness, communication skills, and confidence. According to Harvard Business Review, professionals who communicate concisely are perceived as 43% more competent than those who over-explain.
What to Include on Your One Page
A one-page cover letter should include:
Header: Your contact information, date, employer's details
Opening paragraph: Position you're applying for and why you're interested
Body paragraphs: 2-3 relevant achievements with specific examples and metrics
Closing: Enthusiasm for next steps and thank you
For detailed guidance on each section, see our guide on how to write a cover letter. If you're over one page, focus on what actually matters: specific achievements, relevant skills, and genuine enthusiasm.
Industry-Specific Considerations
Some industries are particularly strict about the one-page rule:
Technology/Finance/Marketing: These fields value conciseness highly. Check our software engineer, financial analyst, and marketing manager examples for industry-specific formatting.
Healthcare/Education/Customer Service: See our registered nurse, teacher, and customer service representative examples for proper one-page formatting.
How to Condense Without Losing Impact
Use strong verbs and cut weak modifiers:
❌ "I was responsible for successfully leading a very important project"
✅ "I led a $2M project that increased revenue by 34%"
Focus on achievements, not responsibilities:
❌ "My duties included managing the marketing team"
✅ "Managed 5-person marketing team that delivered 23% increase in qualified leads"
For pre-formatted one-page templates, browse our cover letter templates organized by industry and seniority level.
Tools to Ensure Your Cover Letter Stays on One Page
AI cover letter generator: Our free tool creates concise, targeted letters that fit on one page while highlighting your most relevant qualifications
LinkedIn headline optimization: While perfecting your cover letter, optimize your LinkedIn with our LinkedIn headline generator for consistent branding
Keyword optimization: Use our job description keyword finder to identify which skills to emphasize
Follow-up tool: After applying, send a professional thank you letter—another one-page document
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I genuinely can't fit everything on one page?
Then you're including too much. A cover letter isn't a comprehensive career history—that's what your resume is for. Your cover letter should highlight 2-3 relevant achievements with specific examples. Edit ruthlessly until it fits. The one-page constraint forces you to identify what truly matters.
Can I use smaller margins or font size to fit more content?
No. Using margins smaller than 0.75 inches or font smaller than 11pt defeats the purpose. Recruiters notice when you're trying to cheat the one-page rule. If your content doesn't fit with standard formatting (1-inch margins, 11-12pt font), cut content, not shrink formatting.
Do cover letters really need to be one page in 2025?
Absolutely. If anything, the one-page rule is more important now. With ATS systems and higher application volumes, recruiters spend less time per application. Recent research shows recruiter attention spans decreased from 11 seconds in 2018 to 7.4 seconds in 2024.
What about executive or C-level positions?
Even for executive positions, one page is strongly preferred. According to executive recruiters, 76% prefer one-page cover letters even for C-suite candidates. The exception: if the posting explicitly requests a longer letter. Otherwise, demonstrate executive communication skills with a concise, powerful one-page letter.
Does the one-page rule apply to email cover letters?
Yes, even more strictly. Email cover letters should be even more concise since people read emails quickly. Aim for 250-300 words for email cover letters. If your email body requires scrolling, it's too long.
What's the difference between one page for cover letters vs. resumes?
Resumes can extend to two pages for experienced professionals (10+ years), but cover letters must always be one page. This reflects their different purposes: resumes provide comprehensive career history; cover letters provide targeted highlights. Having a two-page resume is acceptable at senior levels. Having a two-page cover letter is never acceptable.
Conclusion: One Page Is Your Competitive Advantage
The one-page rule isn't a limitation—it's your competitive advantage. While other candidates submit rambling two-page letters that get skimmed or ignored, your concise one-page letter gets read thoroughly and remembered positively.
The ability to communicate your value in 250-400 words demonstrates exactly the kind of clear thinking, prioritization, and communication skills employers want. The strongest cover letters aren't the longest—they're the most focused.
When recruiters spend just 7.4 seconds on your cover letter, make every second count. A tight, impactful one-page letter respects their time while showcasing your qualifications.
Ready to create a perfectly formatted one-page cover letter? Our AI cover letter generator handles the length optimization automatically, ensuring your letter fits on one page while highlighting your strongest qualifications. Or browse our professionally designed templates that are pre-formatted to one-page standards. Either way, you'll have a concise, compelling cover letter that gets read and gets results.
