What Font to Use for a Cover Letter: Complete Professional Guide [2025]

TL;DR: What Font to Use for a Cover Letter

The best fonts for cover letters are professional, readable, and ATS-compatible. Top choices include Calibri, Arial, Garamond, Cambria, and Helvetica. Use 10.5-12 point size for body text, with consistent formatting throughout. According to a 2024 study by ResumeGo, 73% of hiring managers prefer traditional fonts over decorative ones, and documents with standard fonts receive 40% more callbacks than those with creative typefaces. This guide covers everything from font psychology to ATS compatibility, helping you choose the perfect typography for your job application.

Why Your Cover Letter Font Choice Matters More Than You Think

When crafting a compelling cover letter, most job seekers focus on content—but typography plays a crucial role in how your application is perceived. Understanding how to format a cover letter includes making strategic font decisions that impact both human readers and automated screening systems.

Your font choice communicates professionalism before a hiring manager reads a single word. Research from Princeton University found that readers form judgments about document credibility within 50 milliseconds of viewing—and font plays a significant role in that instant assessment.

'Typography is the voice of your written communication. In cover letters, the font you choose tells hiring managers whether you understand professional norms before they even begin reading your qualifications.'
— Sarah Doody, UX Designer and Career Strategist

Beyond aesthetics, font selection affects practical considerations like ATS compatibility, readability on different devices, and how much content fits on one page. Let's explore how to make the right choice.

The 10 Best Fonts for Cover Letters in 2025

After analyzing hiring manager preferences, ATS compatibility data, and readability research, these fonts consistently emerge as the top choices for professional cover letters. Each has distinct characteristics that make it suitable for different industries and preferences.

1. Calibri – The Modern Standard

Calibri has been the default font in Microsoft Office since 2007 and has become the de facto standard for business documents. Its clean, contemporary appearance signals professionalism without being stuffy.

• Best for: Most industries, especially corporate, tech, and finance

• Readability: Excellent on screens and in print

• ATS compatibility: Universal—recognized by all systems

• Recommended size: 11-12pt

• Character: Modern, approachable, professional

2. Arial – The Universal Choice

Arial is one of the most widely recognized sans-serif fonts, known for its clean lines and excellent legibility. It's a safe choice that works across virtually all contexts.

• Best for: Any industry; particularly safe for conservative fields

• Readability: Outstanding at all sizes

• ATS compatibility: Perfect—available on every system

• Recommended size: 10.5-12pt

• Character: Clean, neutral, professional

3. Garamond – The Elegant Classic

Garamond is a serif font with centuries of history, offering elegance and sophistication. It's slightly more condensed than other fonts, allowing more content per page while maintaining readability.

• Best for: Publishing, academia, law, luxury brands, executive roles

• Readability: Excellent in print; good on screens

• ATS compatibility: Very good—widely supported

• Recommended size: 11-12pt

• Character: Traditional, elegant, sophisticated

4. Cambria – The Print Optimized

Designed specifically for on-screen reading and print clarity, Cambria offers excellent legibility with a professional serif appearance. It was created by Microsoft as a print-optimized alternative to Times New Roman.

• Best for: Traditional industries, government, healthcare, education

• Readability: Exceptional—designed for clarity

• ATS compatibility: Excellent—standard Windows font

• Recommended size: 11-12pt

• Character: Professional, trustworthy, classic

5. Helvetica – The Designer's Favorite

Helvetica is considered one of the most important typefaces in graphic design history. Its clean geometry and neutral appearance make it ideal for modern, design-conscious applications.

• Best for: Design, marketing, creative agencies, tech startups

• Readability: Excellent at all sizes

• ATS compatibility: Good (use Arial as fallback on Windows)

• Recommended size: 10.5-12pt

• Character: Modern, clean, design-forward

6. Georgia – The Screen-Optimized Serif

Georgia was designed specifically for screen readability while maintaining the elegance of serif typefaces. It's an excellent choice when your cover letter will primarily be viewed digitally.

• Best for: Digital applications, online submissions, traditional industries

• Readability: Outstanding on screens

• ATS compatibility: Excellent—web-safe font

• Recommended size: 11-12pt

• Character: Warm, readable, professional

7. Times New Roman – The Traditional Standard

While some consider Times New Roman outdated, it remains widely accepted and is still preferred in certain conservative industries. Its familiarity can be an asset in traditional contexts.

• Best for: Legal, government, academia, traditional corporations

• Readability: Good, though designed for narrow newspaper columns

• ATS compatibility: Perfect—universally supported

• Recommended size: 11-12pt

• Character: Traditional, formal, authoritative

8. Trebuchet MS – The Friendly Sans-Serif

Trebuchet MS offers a slightly more humanist take on sans-serif design, with subtle curves that make it feel approachable while maintaining professionalism.

• Best for: Customer-facing roles, nonprofit, education, healthcare

• Readability: Very good on screens

• ATS compatibility: Good—available on most systems

• Recommended size: 10.5-11pt

• Character: Friendly, approachable, professional

9. Verdana – The Accessibility Champion

Verdana was designed with wide letter spacing and clear distinctions between similar characters, making it exceptionally readable—especially for those with visual impairments.

• Best for: Accessibility-focused organizations, government, healthcare

• Readability: Outstanding—designed for screen clarity

• ATS compatibility: Excellent—standard system font

• Recommended size: 10-11pt (runs larger than others)

• Character: Clear, accessible, professional

10. Book Antiqua – The Refined Classic

Book Antiqua offers a distinguished, literary quality that works well for positions requiring intellectual gravitas while remaining highly readable.

• Best for: Publishing, academia, writing-focused roles, executive positions

• Readability: Very good in print and on screen

• ATS compatibility: Good—widely available

• Recommended size: 11-12pt

• Character: Sophisticated, intellectual, refined

Cover Letter Font Comparison Chart

This comprehensive comparison helps you quickly evaluate the best font options based on your specific needs and industry:

The Perfect Font Size for Cover Letters

Choosing the right font size is just as important as selecting the font itself. The wrong size can make your cover letter appear unprofessional or difficult to read.

Recommended Font Sizes by Element

Pro tip: Different fonts have different x-heights (the height of lowercase letters), which affects perceived size. Verdana at 10pt looks similar to Arial at 11pt. Always print a test page to verify readability.

Why Size Matters for ATS

Applicant Tracking Systems typically process fonts between 10-12pt most reliably. Extremely small fonts (under 10pt) may be misread, while very large fonts can cause parsing issues. Staying within the 10.5-12pt range ensures your cover letter is processed correctly by automated systems.

Serif vs. Sans-Serif: Which Is Better for Cover Letters?

The serif vs. sans-serif debate has existed since the early days of typography. Here's what research and hiring manager preferences tell us about each category:

Serif Fonts (Times New Roman, Garamond, Georgia)

Characteristics: Small decorative strokes (serifs) at the ends of letters

• Advantages: Traditional appearance, excellent print readability, conveys authority and trust

• Disadvantages: Can appear dated if overused, serifs may blur at small sizes on screen

• Best for: Law, finance, government, academia, traditional corporate environments

• Hiring manager perception: Formal, trustworthy, experienced

Sans-Serif Fonts (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica)

Characteristics: Clean lines without decorative strokes

• Advantages: Modern appearance, excellent screen readability, clean and professional

• Disadvantages: May seem too casual for very traditional industries

• Best for: Tech, startups, creative industries, marketing, most modern companies

• Hiring manager perception: Contemporary, efficient, forward-thinking

Industry Font Preferences

ATS-Compatible Fonts: Ensuring Your Cover Letter Gets Read

Creating an ATS-friendly cover letter requires careful font selection. Applicant Tracking Systems parse your document's text, and certain fonts can cause recognition errors that hurt your candidacy.

How ATS Systems Process Fonts

ATS software typically:

1. Converts your document to plain text

2. Extracts text strings from the document

3. Parses content against job requirement keywords

4. Assigns a compatibility score

Fonts that aren't widely supported may cause characters to be misread or ignored entirely. For example, decorative fonts might turn 'experienced' into 'exper1enced' or omit text altogether.

ATS-Safe Font Choices

Highest compatibility (use these):

• Calibri

• Arial

• Times New Roman

• Georgia

• Verdana

• Cambria

• Tahoma

Use with caution:

• Helvetica (may default to Arial on Windows)

• Garamond (some versions may substitute)

• Book Antiqua

Avoid completely:

• Decorative or script fonts

• Custom or downloaded fonts

• Fonts with special characters in the name

• Any font not installed by default on most systems

'We see hundreds of cover letters fail ATS screening due to font issues. The fix is simple: stick with standard system fonts. Your creativity should shine through your words, not your typography choices.'
— Jennifer Smith, ATS Implementation Specialist at Enterprise HR Software

Complete Font Formatting Guidelines for Cover Letters

Beyond font selection, proper formatting ensures your cover letter looks professional and is easy to read. Here are the key typography rules to follow:

Consistency Rules

• Use one font throughout: Don't mix multiple fonts in your cover letter

• Match your resume: Use the same font for both documents for a cohesive application

• Consistent sizing: Body text should be uniform; only vary size for headers/name

• Uniform spacing: Keep line spacing and paragraph spacing consistent

Line Spacing Recommendations

Proper spacing affects readability and helps your content fit on one page:

• Single spacing (1.0): Too cramped for most applications

• 1.15 spacing: Good for fitting content while maintaining readability

• 1.5 spacing: Very readable but uses more space

• Double spacing (2.0): Too much—avoid for cover letters (see should cover letters be double spaced)

Recommendation: Use 1.0 to 1.15 line spacing for body text, with a blank line between paragraphs.

Margin Settings

Margins affect how much content fits on a page and create visual balance:

• Standard: 1 inch on all sides

• Tight: 0.75 inch (acceptable when you need more space)

• Minimum: 0.5 inch (avoid going smaller—looks cramped)

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Your Cover Letter Font

Follow these steps to configure the perfect typography for your cover letter. This process works alongside our guides on how to set up a cover letter and how to type a cover letter.

Step 1: Choose Your Font

Based on your target industry and the guidance above, select one professional font. If unsure, Calibri or Arial are safe choices for virtually any application.

Step 2: Set Your Font Size

• Set body text to 11pt (adjust between 10.5-12pt based on content length)

• Set your name/header to 14-16pt

• Keep contact information at 10-11pt

Step 3: Configure Spacing

• Set line spacing to 1.0 or 1.15

• Add 6pt spacing after paragraphs (or one blank line)

• Set margins to 1 inch (adjust to 0.75" if needed)

Step 4: Apply Consistent Formatting

• Select all text and apply your chosen font

• Ensure alignment is left-justified (standard for cover letters)

• Check that headings match your resume's style

Step 5: Test Your Document

• Print a test copy to verify readability

• View as PDF to check formatting preservation

• Test in different email clients if sending digitally

• Run through an ATS simulator if available

Fonts to Avoid in Cover Letters

Some fonts can instantly damage your professional image. Understanding what to avoid is just as important as knowing what works when learning how to write a professional cover letter.

Never Use These Font Types

1. Comic Sans

The most infamous unprofessional font. It signals a lack of business awareness and should never appear in any job application document.

2. Papyrus

Associated with amateur designs and unprofessional contexts. Using Papyrus suggests you're unfamiliar with basic design standards.

3. Script and Cursive Fonts

Fonts like Brush Script, Lucida Handwriting, or any cursive style are difficult to read and ATS-incompatible. They appear unprofessional in business contexts.

4. Decorative and Display Fonts

Fonts designed for headlines or artistic purposes (Impact, Cooper Black, etc.) are inappropriate for professional documents.

5. Overly Thin or Light Fonts

Very thin weights can be hard to read on screen and may not print well. Stick with regular or medium weights.

6. Novelty Fonts

Any font that mimics handwriting, typewriters, or has unusual characteristics should be avoided.

The Psychology of Font Choice: What Hiring Managers Perceive

Research in cognitive psychology reveals that fonts carry subconscious associations. Understanding these can help you make strategic typography decisions that support your candidacy.

Font Personality Associations

Research on Font Perception

A 2024 study by the Journal of Applied Psychology found that:

• 67% of hiring managers associate serif fonts with trustworthiness

• 72% associate sans-serif fonts with innovation and modernity

• 89% immediately notice when fonts are unprofessional or unusual

• 54% have rejected candidates partly due to poor document formatting

'Your font choice is the visual equivalent of how you'd dress for an interview. A well-chosen, professional font shows you understand business norms. An inappropriate font raises immediate red flags about judgment.'
— Dr. David Marcus, Organizational Psychology Researcher at Columbia University

Font Considerations for Digital vs. Print Applications

How your cover letter will be viewed affects optimal font choice. Understanding what a cover letter should look like requires considering the viewing context.

For Digital/Screen Viewing

When your cover letter will primarily be viewed on screens (email, ATS systems, digital portals):

• Prefer: Georgia, Verdana, Calibri, Arial

• Consider: These fonts were designed or optimized for screen display

• Size: 11-12pt renders well on most screens

• Format: Save as PDF to preserve formatting across devices

For Print Applications

When your cover letter will be printed (in-person interviews, mailed applications):

• Prefer: Garamond, Cambria, Times New Roman, Book Antiqua

• Consider: Serif fonts generally print more elegantly

• Size: 11pt is typically optimal for print

• Test: Always print a test copy before sending

Universal Choices

If you're unsure how your cover letter will be viewed, these fonts work excellently in both contexts:

• Calibri: Excellent screen and print performance

• Georgia: Designed for screens but prints beautifully

• Cambria: Optimized for both digital and print clarity

Matching Your Cover Letter Font to Your Resume

Creating a cohesive application package means aligning your cover letter typography with your resume. This demonstrates attention to detail and professional consistency.

Why Matching Matters

• Professional cohesion: Creates a unified personal brand

• Attention to detail: Shows you're thorough and organized

• Visual harmony: Documents feel like they belong together

• Easier reading: Hiring managers don't need to adjust to different fonts

What to Match

• Font family: Use the same primary font in both documents

• Font sizes: Body text should be the same size

• Header styling: Your name should appear consistently

• Spacing: Use similar line spacing and margins

Acceptable Variations

Some variations between documents are acceptable:

• Resume may use a slightly smaller font (10pt) due to more content

• Resume may have more complex formatting while cover letter stays simple

• Color accents in resume don't need to appear in cover letter

How AI Cover Letter Tools Handle Fonts

Modern AI cover letter generators typically output content in standard formats, but you should still verify font settings. Here's what to know:

What AI Tools Generate

• Most AI tools output plain text or standard-formatted documents

• Font styling may need to be applied after generation

• Some tools allow font preferences in settings

• AI-generated content in PDFs may use the tool's default font

Best Practices for AI-Generated Cover Letters

1. Generate your content using an AI cover letter tool

2. Copy the text into your preferred word processor

3. Apply your chosen professional font

4. Adjust formatting to match your resume

5. Save as PDF to lock in your font choices

10 Common Font Mistakes in Cover Letters

Avoid these typography errors that can undermine even the best-written cover letter:

1. Using Multiple Fonts

Stick to one font family throughout your cover letter. Using different fonts for different sections looks chaotic and unprofessional.

2. Choosing Fonts Based on Personal Preference

Your favorite font may not be professional or ATS-compatible. Make objective choices based on readability and industry norms.

3. Going Too Small

Using fonts below 10pt to fit more content makes documents difficult to read, especially for older reviewers or on mobile devices.

4. Going Too Large

Fonts above 12pt for body text appear unprofessional and suggest you don't have enough content.

5. Ignoring ATS Compatibility

Choosing fonts that ATS systems can't read means your cover letter may never reach human reviewers.

6. Not Testing Print Output

Fonts can look different on screen versus print. Always verify your cover letter prints correctly.

7. Mismatched Resume and Cover Letter

Using different fonts in your resume and cover letter creates a disjointed application package.

8. Using Bold or Italic Excessively

Overusing emphasis makes nothing stand out. Use bold and italic sparingly for maximum impact.

9. Inconsistent Spacing

Uneven spacing between paragraphs or sections looks sloppy. Use your word processor's spacing settings consistently.

10. Not Saving as PDF

Sending Word documents allows fonts to change based on the recipient's system. Always save final versions as PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cover Letter Fonts

What is the best font for a cover letter in 2025?

The best fonts for cover letters in 2025 are Calibri, Arial, and Garamond. Calibri is the most universally accepted modern choice, Arial offers maximum compatibility, and Garamond provides elegant sophistication for traditional industries. All three are ATS-compatible and highly readable.

Should I use the same font for my cover letter and resume?

Yes, you should use the same font for both documents. This creates a cohesive application package that demonstrates attention to detail and professional consistency. Hiring managers often review both documents together, and matching fonts create visual harmony.

Is Times New Roman too outdated for cover letters?

Times New Roman isn't necessarily outdated, but it's no longer the default choice it once was. It's still appropriate for traditional industries like law, academia, and government. For modern companies, tech firms, or creative industries, Calibri or Arial are better choices that signal contemporary awareness.

What font size should I use for a cover letter?

Use 10.5-12pt for body text, with 11pt being optimal for most fonts. Your name can be larger (14-16pt), and contact information can be slightly smaller (10-11pt). Avoid going below 10pt or above 12pt for body text. See our complete font size guide for more details.

Can I use Helvetica on a cover letter?

Helvetica is an excellent choice for design-forward, creative, or tech applications. However, note that Helvetica isn't installed by default on Windows systems, where it may substitute to Arial. If you're unsure of the recipient's system, Arial provides a similar appearance with universal compatibility.

How do I know if a font is ATS-compatible?

ATS-compatible fonts are standard system fonts installed by default on Windows and Mac. Safe choices include Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia, Verdana, and Cambria. Avoid decorative, script, or custom fonts. When in doubt, use Calibri or Arial for guaranteed compatibility.

Should I use a serif or sans-serif font?

Both serif and sans-serif fonts are acceptable. Sans-serif fonts (Calibri, Arial) are more common in modern industries and digital contexts. Serif fonts (Garamond, Times New Roman) work well for traditional industries and print applications. Choose based on your target industry and whether your letter will primarily be viewed on screen or in print.

Can my font choice affect whether I get an interview?

Yes, font choice can impact interview callbacks. Research shows that resumes and cover letters with professional fonts receive 40% more callbacks than those with unusual or unprofessional fonts. Poor font choices signal lack of business awareness and may cause hiring managers to question your judgment.

What's the difference between font and typeface?

Technically, a typeface is the design family (e.g., Arial), while a font is a specific style within that family (e.g., Arial Bold 12pt). In modern usage, the terms are often used interchangeably. For cover letters, you're essentially choosing a typeface and then specifying the font (size and weight) you'll use.

Should I use colored fonts in my cover letter?

No, stick to black text for cover letters. Colored fonts can appear unprofessional, may not print well, and can cause ATS parsing issues. The only acceptable variation is dark gray (#333333), which some designers use for a slightly softer appearance.

How do I ensure my font looks the same on different computers?

Save your cover letter as a PDF to preserve font formatting across all devices and systems. PDFs embed font information, ensuring your document looks exactly as you designed it regardless of what fonts the recipient has installed.

What font should I use for a creative industry cover letter?

For creative industries, consider Helvetica, Calibri, or Arial for a clean, modern look. While these industries are more accepting of creativity, your cover letter should still be highly readable and professional. Express creativity through your content and portfolio, not through unusual typography.

Final Thoughts: Let Your Content Shine Through Professional Typography

Your cover letter font should support your message, not distract from it. The best typography choices are invisible—they allow hiring managers to focus entirely on your qualifications, achievements, and fit for the role.

By choosing a professional, readable font like Calibri, Arial, or Garamond, you demonstrate basic business awareness while ensuring your cover letter is processed correctly by ATS systems and read comfortably by human reviewers.

Ready to create your cover letter? Start with our guide on how to write a cover letter, explore cover letter examples for inspiration, or use our AI cover letter generator to create a professionally formatted draft in minutes. With the right font and compelling content, you'll make a strong first impression that leads to interviews.