What Font Should I Use for My Cover Letter? Complete 2025 Guide
TL;DR - Quick Answer
The best fonts for cover letters are professional, readable fonts like Calibri (11-12pt), Arial (11-12pt), Times New Roman (12pt), or Georgia (11-12pt). These fonts are ATS-friendly, display consistently across devices, and signal professionalism to hiring managers. Research by TopResume shows that 84% of hiring managers prefer classic, readable fonts over decorative or unusual typefaces, and JobScan data reveals that ATS systems successfully parse standard fonts 97% of the time versus only 63% for non-standard fonts.
The most critical rule: Use the same font as your resume to create a cohesive application package. Hiring managers review resumes and cover letters together, and visual consistency demonstrates attention to detail. Font size matters too: 11-12pt for most fonts ensures readability without appearing childish (too large) or straining eyes (too small).
Key Takeaways
Stick with proven professional fonts: Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia, or Helvetica are universally accepted. These fonts have excellent readability, work across all ATS systems, and are pre-installed on virtually every device.
Match your resume font: Visual consistency across your application materials is crucial. Using different fonts for your resume and cover letter looks disjointed and unprofessional. 68% of hiring managers notice mismatched fonts.
Size matters, 11-12pt is optimal: Font size affects readability dramatically. 10pt or smaller strains eyes. 13pt plus looks juvenile. The sweet spot is 11-12pt.
ATS compatibility is non-negotiable: 67% of medium-to-large companies use ATS systems. Non-standard fonts can cause parsing errors.
Industry matters, but less than you think: Even design roles prefer readable fonts for cover letters. Your creativity should show in your portfolio, not your cover letter typography.
Introduction: Does Font Choice Really Matter?
You have spent hours perfecting your cover letter content. Then you hesitate: Should I use Times New Roman or Calibri? Does it actually matter?
The uncomfortable truth: Font choice matters more than most job seekers realize. According to a 2024 TopResume survey of 500 plus hiring managers, 32% immediately notice font choice, and 18% have rejected otherwise strong candidates for using inappropriate fonts. JobScan analysis found that non-standard fonts cause parsing errors in 37% of cases.
The goal is choosing a font so appropriate and readable that hiring managers focus entirely on your content, not your formatting. Your font should be invisible: professional, clean, and effortlessly readable.
This guide covers the 5 best professional fonts, exact size recommendations, how to match your resume, ATS compatibility, industry considerations, and fonts to avoid. Whether using our AI cover letter generator or writing manually, understanding what to include includes proper font selection.
The 5 Best Professional Fonts for Cover Letters
1. Calibri (11-12pt)
Why it works: Modern, clean, highly readable. Calibri became Microsoft default in 2007. Its sans-serif design provides excellent screen readability, critical since 67% of hiring managers review applications on screens.
Best for: Tech, corporate, finance, healthcare, general business roles. Signals modern professionalism.
Font size: 11pt is optimal. Calibri larger x-height means 11pt appears similar to 12pt in other fonts.
ATS compatibility: Excellent with 98% parse rate.
2. Arial (11-12pt)
Why it works: Universal compatibility and clean appearance. Pre-installed on virtually every device. Simple geometric design maximizes readability.
Best for: All industries, especially when unsure about company culture. Arial is the safest choice.
Font size: 11-12pt both work well.
ATS compatibility: Excellent with 97% parse rate.
3. Times New Roman (12pt)
Why it works: Traditional, formal, universally recognized. Gold standard for formal, traditional industries. Serif design provides excellent print readability and conveys gravitas.
Best for: Law, academia, government, non-profits, publishing. Also ideal for senior-level positions.
Font size: 12pt only. Smaller x-height makes 11pt too small.
ATS compatibility: Excellent with 96% parse rate.
4. Georgia (11-12pt)
Why it works: Elegant serif font designed for screen readability. Combines formality of serifs with modern design.
Best for: Publishing, media, marketing, communications where written communication is central.
Font size: 11pt is optimal. Generous x-height makes it highly readable at 11pt.
ATS compatibility: Very good with 94% parse rate.
5. Helvetica (11-12pt)
Why it works: Clean, modern, widely respected in design communities. The sans-serif gold standard. Not always pre-installed on Windows though Arial is near-identical.
Best for: Design, architecture, fashion, creative agencies, startups. Signals design awareness without sacrificing professionalism.
Font size: 11-12pt works well.
ATS compatibility: Good with 92% parse rate.
Note: Save as PDF to ensure font embedding if using Helvetica.
Font Comparison At-a-Glance
Quick reference:
Calibri 11pt: Modern sans-serif for tech and corporate roles, 98% ATS compatibility
Arial 11-12pt: Universal sans-serif for all industries, 97% ATS compatibility
Times New Roman 12pt: Traditional serif for law and academia, 96% ATS compatibility
Georgia 11pt: Modern serif for media and publishing, 94% ATS compatibility
Helvetica 11-12pt: Design-focused sans-serif for creative roles, 92% ATS compatibility
Quick decision: Use Calibri 11pt for modern companies, Times New Roman 12pt for traditional industries, or Arial 11pt when uncertain.
Font Size: The 11-12pt Rule
Why 10pt and Below Is Too Small
Strains eyes for hiring managers reviewing dozens of applications
Suggests trying to cram too much content, signals lack of editing
Appears as gray blocks rather than readable paragraphs
Hiring managers over 40 struggle with small fonts
TopResume research shows hiring managers spend 15% less time reading 10pt letters compared to 11-12pt.
Why 13pt and Above Is Too Large
Looks juvenile or unprofessional
Wastes space for content
Signals unfamiliarity with professional norms
Cannot fit adequate content without going to two pages
The Sweet Spot: 11-12pt
Optimal readability depends on the font:
Calibri, Georgia, Verdana: Use 11pt due to larger x-heights
Times New Roman, Garamond: Use 12pt due to smaller x-heights
Arial, Helvetica: Either 11pt or 12pt works
Cambria: Use 11pt due to generous spacing
Should You Use the Same Font as Your Resume?
Yes, absolutely. Using the same font for resume and cover letter creates visual cohesion that signals professionalism and attention to detail.
Hiring managers review materials together. CareerBuilder research shows 68% notice mismatched fonts and view it as carelessness.
What to Match Beyond Font
Font family: Same typeface
Font size: Same body text size
Margins: Same width, typically 1 inch
Line spacing: Same spacing, 1.15 or 1.5
Color scheme: If resume uses navy headers, match it
For automated consistency, our AI generator analyzes your resume formatting and matches it automatically.
ATS-Friendly Fonts
67% of medium-to-large companies use ATS systems to screen applications. If your font causes parsing errors, your qualifications may never reach human eyes.
The ATS-Safe Font List
92 percent plus parse success: Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia, Helvetica, Cambria, Garamond, Verdana, Tahoma
80-90 percent success: Trebuchet MS, Book Antiqua, Palatino Linotype
Avoid entirely, less than 70 percent: Comic Sans, Papyrus, Impact, Courier New, script fonts, decorative fonts
For comprehensive ATS optimization, see our guide on ATS-friendly cover letters.
Font Size and ATS
Below 10pt: OCR accuracy drops to 72 percent
10-12pt: Optimal, 96-98 percent accuracy
Above 14pt: May interpret as headings, not body content
Industry-Specific Font Considerations
Traditional and Conservative Industries
Industries: Law, finance, banking, insurance, government, academia, healthcare
Best fonts: Times New Roman 12pt, Georgia 11pt, Garamond 12pt
Why: Serif fonts signal tradition, formality, respect for norms.
Tech and Startups
Industries: Technology, software, startups, SaaS, digital marketing
Best fonts: Calibri 11pt, Arial 11pt, Helvetica 11pt
Why: Sans-serif fonts signal modernity, innovation, forward-thinking. Times New Roman can appear outdated.
Creative Industries
Industries: Design, advertising, marketing, fashion, architecture, media
Best fonts: Helvetica 11pt, Georgia 11pt, Garamond 12pt for editorial
Important: 91% of creative directors still expect professional fonts in cover letters. Save creativity for portfolios.
8 Fonts You Should Never Use
1. Comic Sans
Why terrible: Universally reviled. Signals immaturity and lack of professional awareness. 94% of hiring managers view negatively. No exceptions.
2. Papyrus
Why terrible: Outdated, gimmicky, associated with poor design. Difficult to read at smaller sizes.
3. Courier or Courier New
Why terrible: Monospace fonts waste space and look like typewriter output. Reduce readability. ATS systems struggle with spacing.
4. Impact or Heavy Display Fonts
Why terrible: Designed for headlines, not body text. Too bold, too condensed, exhaust eyes.
5. Script or Handwriting Fonts
Why terrible: Illegible at professional sizes, completely fail in ATS, suggest misunderstanding of norms.
6. Century Gothic
Why problematic: Unusual letterforms reduce readability. Less common, causing compatibility issues.
7. Decorative or Novelty Fonts
Why terrible: Impossible to read at length. Signal profound lack of judgment.
8. Multiple Fonts in One Letter
Why terrible: Using different fonts for sections looks disjointed and amateurish. Stick with one font throughout.
5 Common Font Mistakes
Mistake Number 1: Prioritizing Uniqueness Over Readability
The mistake: Choosing unusual font to stand out.
Why it fails: 72% of hiring managers view unusual fonts negatively.
The fix: Stand out through compelling achievements, not font.
Mistake Number 2: Using Different Fonts for Resume and Cover Letter
The mistake: Resume in Times New Roman, cover letter in Arial.
Why it fails: 68% of recruiters notice mismatched formatting.
The fix: Use identical fonts for all materials.
Mistake Number 3: Font Too Small to Fit More Content
The mistake: Shrinking to 9-10pt to fit everything.
Why it fails: Signals inability to edit. Strains eyes.
The fix: Keep 11-12pt and edit ruthlessly. See our guide on optimal cover letter length.
Mistake Number 4: Assuming Creative Industries Want Creative Fonts
The mistake: Using decorative fonts for design roles.
Why it fails: 91% of creative directors prefer standard fonts for cover letters.
The fix: Choose Helvetica or Georgia for creative roles.
Mistake Number 5: Not Testing Appearance on Other Systems
The mistake: Using font that displays differently on other systems.
Why it fails: Non-universal fonts get substituted, ruining formatting.
The fix: Stick with system fonts OR save as PDF.
Step-by-Step: Choosing the Right Font
Step 1: Check Your Resume Font
Note font name, font size, formatting details. Your cover letter should match these exactly.
Step 2: Identify Industry Norms
Traditional: Times New Roman 12pt or Georgia 11pt
Modern and corporate: Calibri 11pt or Arial 11pt
Creative: Helvetica 11pt or Georgia 11pt
Uncertain: Calibri 11pt
Step 3: Verify ATS Compatibility
Ensure 92 percent plus parse rate. Safest: Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia.
Step 4: Set Proper Font Size
Calibri, Georgia, Verdana, Cambria: 11pt
Times New Roman, Garamond: 12pt
Arial, Helvetica: 11pt or 12pt
Never below 10pt or above 13pt
Step 5: Test Readability
Print and read at arm length
View at 100 percent zoom
Ask someone else for feedback
Step 6: Save Correctly
Standard fonts: Save as PDF or DOCX. Less common fonts: Save as PDF to embed fonts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different fonts for header versus body?
Generally no. However, you can use size and weight variations within same family. Example: Body Calibri 11pt regular, name Calibri 14pt bold.
What about font color besides black?
Stick with black for body text. Dark gray or navy blue acceptable for name and headers, but test ATS first. Never use bright or light colors.
Does font choice matter more for entry-level or senior positions?
Matters equally but differently. Entry-level: demonstrates understanding of norms. Senior: poor choices more damaging. Traditional industries lean toward Times New Roman or Georgia; modern industries toward Calibri or Helvetica.
Should I match company brand font?
No. Using proprietary brand fonts appears presumptuous. Stick with professional standard fonts.
Are Google Fonts acceptable?
Not ideal: not universally installed. If using Google Fonts, save as PDF. Safer to stick with system fonts.
Can I use monospace font for coding jobs?
No. Monospace fonts are for code display, not document readability. Even for software engineering, use standard professional fonts.
Serif versus sans-serif: which is better?
No significant readability difference at 11-12pt. Choose based on industry. Serif: Better for traditional industries. Sans-serif: Better for modern companies.
How do I know if font is ATS-compatible?
Use JobScan or Resume Worded testing tools
Copy-paste test into plain text editor
Stick with proven fonts: Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia
Can I use bold or italics?
Yes, but sparingly. Acceptable for job titles, company names, 1-2 key achievements. Avoid bolding entire sentences, overusing italics, underlining, or ALL CAPS. See examples in our cover letter templates.
What about online text box submissions?
Font choice does not matter: system uses default. Focus on content, structure, clarity. Content and keywords matter far more than formatting.
Should entry-level candidates use different fonts than senior candidates?
No, use the same professional fonts at all career levels. However, senior positions in traditional fields should lean toward Times New Roman or Georgia, while senior positions in modern companies can use Calibri or Helvetica.
What if I am applying to a company with a specific brand font?
Do not use their brand font in your cover letter. This can appear presumptuous. Stick with professional standard fonts. Your goal is to demonstrate qualifications, not brand mimicry.
Conclusion: Let Your Content Shine
Font choice is not about finding the perfect typeface that impresses hiring managers. It is about choosing a font so professional, readable, and appropriate that hiring managers focus entirely on your accomplishments, not your formatting.
Research consistently shows that 84% prefer classic fonts, standard fonts have 94-98% ATS parse rates, consistent formatting increases perceived professionalism by 34%, 11-12pt maximizes readability, and poor font choices cause 18% of rejections.
Key principles:
Prioritize readability over uniqueness: Content should stand out, not font.
Match your resume: Visual consistency demonstrates attention to detail.
Respect industry norms: Traditional prefer serifs; modern prefer sans-serifs.
Ensure ATS compatibility: Standard fonts prevent parsing errors.
Use proper sizing: 11-12pt is optimal.
Your font should be invisible, a clean vessel for compelling content. When hiring managers finish reading, they should remember your achievements, not think about interesting font choices.
Decision tree: Applying to law, finance, government, or academia? Use Times New Roman 12pt. Tech, startups, or modern corporations? Use Calibri 11pt. Uncertain? Use Arial 11pt, it works for every industry.
Ready to create a professionally formatted cover letter without worrying about font details? Our AI cover letter generator automatically applies optimal fonts based on your industry and ensures perfect consistency with your resume. Simply upload your resume and job description. We handle typography while you focus on content. Explore our cover letter examples across industries to see how professional fonts enhance readability and impact.
