resume font size change

What’s the Best Resume Font, Size, and Format [For 2024]

When you’re working on your resume the font might be the last thing on your mind.

But details matter.

And something that might seem insignificant at first, like your resume font, can have a huge impact on whether you get the job or not.

Why’s that?

Consider the resume readability.

You may have the best resume in the world, but if the font is assaulting the HR manager’s eyes, well , chances are, they’re not going to give you a call back any time soon.

Similarly, if you go with the most boring font that’s almost camouflaging with the background, they just might forget about your resume by the end of the day.

Most HR managers don’t spend a whole lot of time on actually analyzing your resume. The very first they look at is the resume layout and only then do they go through the contents.

If the layout is good (e.g. 1 page, looks good, easy-to-scan, etc.) and the font looks readable - only then will they decide if it’s worth a read or not.

And remember, this is only done in a matter of seconds.

So, imagine someone glances at your resume. What first impression is your font giving off?

Do you want your resume to stand out and go in the right box?

If so, read on to find out: 

• What's the Best Resume Font & Size

How to Format Your Resume

How to make your resume (the easy way), what’s the best resume font & size.

When it comes to font and font size, we generally recommend going with something that stands out, but not too much.

The font you go with has a direct impact on the readability, and so, it needs to look good on PDF as well as paper.

Before we dive into the best resume fonts though, let’s take a look at one font you shouldn’t ever use :

Comic Sans.

Yes, you’ll stand out. No, not in the good way.

Jokes (and bashing comic sans) aside, the most common font people tend to use is Times New Roman, 12pt.

Now, there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that, but you should know that it’s going to be the default font for most people.

Do you want your resume to stand out among all the Times New Roman resumes?

If so, consider using:

• Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a modern, humanist-style, typeface developed in 2010. It looks great everywhere, maximizes readability, and does not belong to any specific industry. You can use it for all job applications and your resume is guaranteed to stand out.
• Roboto - Looks familiar? You might recognize this font because Google developed it for its Android operating system in 2011. But don’t worry, it’s free for commercial use. It has a tech look to it, but feel free to use it in any industry - tech or otherwise.
• Overpass - Relatively newer font, developed in 2015, Overpass is a digital typeface font inspired by Highway Gothic. It looks very formal and classy, making it ideal for more conservative industries. But you can’t go wrong with using it in other industries as well because of its sleek design.

Once you’ve picked your font, you move on to:

Resume Font Size

In a resume builder , such as ours, the font sizes are pre-defined in order to create a font hierarchy across the document that will result in increased readability of your resume.

When faced with a situation where you are not relying on a resume builder and have to choose the font size yourself, as a rule of thumb, we recommend going with 10-12pt for normal text and 14-16pt for section titles and headers.

This approach should save you some space and also won’t make the HR manager have to squint to read the text.

It’s important to note that once you decide on a font and font size, they should be consistent throughout the whole resume.

Basic Layout Info

When it comes to the resume layout, here’s what you need to know:

• Line spacing - Go for 1.0 or 1.15 line spacing between text and double lines after subheadings. Feel free to adjust this accordingly based on the space of your resume
• Bullet points - You can use bullet points in your resume experience section to make it easier to skim through. Just make sure you don’t overuse them, limit them up to 6 points within each section.
• Resume length - Stick to one page, unless you have 5+ years of experience (2/3 pages at most, in that case).

So, once you’ve got the basic layout and the feel of your resume down, you can now move onto actually writing the main sections within your resume. Here’s how you do that:

You probably already have a general idea of what you should include in your resume.

Sounds simple, right? 

Simply list your qualifications and call it a day.

Well, not quite.

The sections you list on your resume have to be relevant to the HR manager and the job you’re applying for. 

No one wants to hear your whole life and backstory.

Instead, here’s what to include and how .

Contact Information

Let’s start with the basics.

Your name, professional title, email address, contact information . These are all things that go on any resume ever. 

After all, they need a way to contact you, right?

Make sure the spelling is correct, and everything is up to date.

Thinking of including your social media handles?

As long as they’re relevant - go for it.

Your LinkedIn profile is important for most HR managers.

But your Behance link might be relevant only if you work in design. Likewise, you might want to include Github only if you’re in IT.

Resume Summary or Objective?

Do you have more than 2 years of work experience?

Include a resume summary that sums up your previous jobs and qualifications in 50 words or less. Don’t just repeat what’s on the resume below. Instead, offer insight that might compel the HR manager to learn more about you.

Now, if that’s not the case, feel free to include a resume objective that mentions your motivations and why you’re the perfect candidate for your job. If you don’t have a lot of experience, feel free to lean on what inspires you instead.

Work Experience

This is the section most HR managers jump to in your resume.

If you want to convince them that you’re the right fit, make sure you list work experience that’s relevant to the position and offers actionable insight.

If possible, quantify the impact you made when working for each role and be very specific about your contributions.

• Improved revenue by 20% by optimizing Facebook ads.
• Created Facebook ads.

At the end of the day, the HR manager wants to hear about your accomplishments, not responsibilities.

Most job ads typically list the type of skills they’re looking for straight away. This is your chance to stand out and prove to the HR manager that you’ve actually read the job ad.

To perfect your skills section, get a good mix of hard and soft skills .

What’s the difference?

Well, your hard skills include specific knowledge and expertise that comes from training. For example, if you’re applying for a tech job, your hard skills should include specific knowledge needed for the job.

For example:

Your soft skills , meanwhile, are self-developed and come from experience. I.e. skills you’ve learned from life, such as communicating with people, working in a startup, and so on.

• Communication
• Self-Driven

When thinking about some of the skills to put on your resume , read the job ad carefully. You want to mention the skills that are relevant for the job - no one cares about your Expert knowledge of Underwater Basket Weaving.

This is fairly straightforward, yet, many people make the mistake of filling this section with unnecessary information.

When writing your education section, only include the important things, such as:

• University name
• Years attended
• (Optional) GPA - Is it more than 3.5? Then you might want to include it. 
• (Optional) Honors - Were you top of the class? Go for it.
• (Optional) Minor program - Relevant to the job? Feel free to include.

Keep it simple, no need to waste space with the background of your university or what motivated you to choose your major.

Optional Sections

Want to stand out from the crowd AND leave a good impression? Some of these optional sections might help…

• Hobbies and interests
• Volunteering Experience
• Certifications and Awards
• Publications

There’s a lot more to making a good resume than what we’ve covered so far. Want to learn more? We have a super-comprehensive guide for that. Give it a read, and you’ll be an expert in no time!

Now that you know what goes in a resume, you might be wondering - “what’s the best way to make one?”

Yes, you can do the whole thing manually and hand-craft your own resume with Microsoft Word

But think about it - do you really want to go through all the hassle?

If you’re going to be hand-crafting your resume from scratch, you need to get everything right. 

You need to format it right, get the layout right, make sure it’s ATS-friendly (CV screening software HR uses), and really dive into the details.

This is extremely time-consuming.

Instead of manually knitting up a resume, you could be making better use of your time.

Work smarter, not harder, right?

If you want to make your life easier, try Novorésumé’s resume builder . It’s free (with premium options) and really simplifies the process of creating a resume.

Our templates were developed with recruiters and employers in mind, so you can rest assured that you’re always sending in your best work.

Whether you’re a college student or a senior executive - Novoresume templates have your back when it comes to best resume formatting practices.

Key Takeaways

Ready to get back into the job search with the best resume font practices that will have the HR manager grabbing your resume from a full-stack?

Make sure your resume font reflects that and that it’ll have your resume radiating with the font choice the next time you send it in.

Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve learned so far:

• Best resume fonts are: Ubuntu , Robot , Overpass . The worst one? Comic Sans
• Best resume font sizes are: 11-12pt for normal text, 14-16pt for section titles and headers.
• The most-used resume formatting order is: Contact information , work experience , skills , and education .

With that said, if you don’t want to worry about the specific resume formatting and getting the details right - you can always use a resume builder to make your life much easier.

There is no reason as to why you should be pouring your sweat, blood, and tears into the painstaking hours of perfecting your resume, down to the margins and fonts manually, when you can just use a resume builder (which is free) to do it for you.

If you want to learn other ways to save time and stay up to date with the latest career advice, be sure to check out our career blog .

Suggested reading:

• How to Pick the Best Resume Format [+Examples]
• What to Put On a Resume (To Get The Job You’ll Love)
• 100+ Achievements to Write in Your Resume [Examples for 2024]

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Finally! The Answers to All Your Questions About Resume Fonts and Sizes

Writing a resume involves a lot of decision-making. There are the major choices like what information to include, how to include it , and what resume format is best for you. But sometimes the minor details can trip you up too. What font and font size to use on your resume are decisions that feel like way bigger a deal than they probably should—as anyone who’s ever spent 45 minutes agonizing between Arial and Helvetica can attest. The good news is, the choice is relatively straightforward.

The goal of your font and font size choices is to present your resume information in a way that is both readable and aesthetically pleasing. Here’s what to consider, plus the best fonts and font sizes for your resume according to The Muse’s expert career coaches.

Why Does Your Resume Font Matter?

There are two reasons your resume font matters, according to Muse career coach Heather Yurovsky , founder of Shatter & Shine . “The first is your human resume reader,” she says. “The aesthetics of a resume are important because it gets your reader to focus on the actual content and your experience rather than being hung up on poor font choice.” So you want a font that is very readable and isn’t distracting.

The second reason your font choice matters? The applicant tracking system (ATS). ATSs are programs that help recruiters and hiring managers organize and search resumes, but they “read” some fonts better than others. “The goal is to have your resume pass seamlessly through an ATS so, like the human resume reader, it can focus on the content of the document,” Yurovsky says.

What Are the Best Resume Fonts?

What kinds of fonts fit both these considerations? Put simply, the classics: the fonts that come standard across a range of programs and aren’t overly flashy or designed. These fonts became standard because they’re easy on human eyes, and since they’re standard, ATSs are programmed to read them.

Here are the best fonts according to our experts:

• Times New Roman

Arial is the font most commonly recommended by our experts. Times New Roman was the go-to font for so long that some of our experts now say it appears dated, but it’s still a safe choice in terms of readability.

How Do You Pick a Resume Font?

So how do you know which of these more traditional, easy-to-read fonts you should pick? That depends on your personal preference and what you think sends the right message for your resume. “The saying, ‘Dress for the job you want’ applies to font choice too!” Yurovsky says.

You might want to consider whether a serif or sans serif font is best for you. If you want to make your resume look more modern (if, for example, you work in tech) you might choose a sans serif font like Arial or Calibri, and avoid serif fonts like Times New Roman and Georgia, says Muse career coach Debra Boggs . But if you work in higher education or the medical field, a serif font like Georgia would be appropriate.

To figure out which type of font you’re looking at, check the capital Ts—if the top has short lines hanging down on either side, those lines are serifs. But if the top of the T is a single line straight across, you have a sans serif font.

Once you’ve decided between serif and sans serif, choosing a font comes down to which one looks best to you!

What Kinds of Fonts Should You Stay Away From?

Now that you have a sense of the classic fonts and basic considerations, you should also know there are a few things you should avoid:

• Heavily stylized fonts: “Although pretty and design-oriented, stay away from heavily stylized fonts like modern cursive fonts,” since ATSs can’t read them, Yurovsky says, and humans might have trouble, too.
• Narrow, condensed, or light fonts or versions of fonts: These fonts can be harder on human eyes, especially when you’re reading on a screen.
• Non-standard, downloaded, or custom fonts : Fonts that aren’t standard to most operating systems may be converted inaccurately by an ATS, says Muse career coach Tina Wascovich .
• Gimmick fonts: Your resume is a professional document, so your font choice should also be professional. Stay away from fonts like Comic Sans, Papyrus, and, of course, Wingdings.

How Do You Keep It Interesting?

These suggestions and guidelines might sound boring, but don’t worry, “You can still have an aesthetically pleasing resume by using the good old fonts we’ve seen over and over again,” Yurovsky says.

For example, you can use bold and italics for job titles or company names to add to the visual appeal, Muse career coach Jillian Lucas points out. You can also use color and underlines, in moderation—too many colors will look unprofessional and underlining should be reserved for headings since people (and ATSs) tend to read underlined text as hyperlinks.

You can also choose to use multiple fonts on your resume, but make sure to keep it simple. Pick one font for your name and section headings and another, complementary font for the rest of your content, Yurovsky says. More than two fonts will start to distract the reader.

How Do You Choose a Font Size?

When choosing font sizes, you want to find a balance: “Too large a size and your resume is likely to be more than one page without necessarily having the years of experience to back up that resume length,” Yurovsky says. But if you go too small, Lucas says, “the recruiter will be squinting to read your resume. This is the last thing you want and will likely land you in the no pile.”

Your font size doesn’t need to be uniform across your resume. You can change it up to help make your important information—like section headings—stand out. Just be sure to use the same font size for each type of information across your resume and make sure the relative sizes are logical. For example, if you’re using Calibri, Boggs recommends 10.5 point font for bullets and 12 or 14 for company names, dates, and past job titles.

“I always say to build your resume with the sizes you want and see where you land.” Yurovsky says. If you’re spilling onto the second page, consider decreasing one or more of the font sizes while still keeping it readable. But be careful, Muse career coach Leto Papadopoulos says: “I see a lot of people trying to cram in their info with a small font size.” You’re better off looking for other ways to get your resume down to one page .

On the other hand, if you have a lot of white space at the end , you might consider making your fonts a bit bigger. But don’t go overboard and set your bullets to size 16 just to take up more of the page. Recruiters will see right through that.

What Are the Best Resume Font Sizes?

Which exact font sizes are best for your resume will vary based on the font you’ve picked and your situation. So choose your font first and use your own judgement to determine which font sizes are most appropriate.

Here are some general guidelines from our experts to get you started:

• Your Name: 20-24 point
• Headings and Subheadings: 11-14 point
• Body Text and Your Contact Info: 10-12 point

Ultimately, the most important component of your resume is the content. Your font and font size choices should be about making sure your content is clear so you can convince the reader you're right for the job.

• Resume Tips

The Best Fonts and Size to Use on a Resume (Updated 2024)

12 min read

Finding a job is tough these days, with steep competition and hundreds of applications per open job listing. That’s why your application has to stand out from the crowd. 

You want every aspect of your resume and cover letter to convey that you’re the best fit for the job. After you’ve considered your experience, skills, education, and qualifications, you have another choice to make: what is the best font to use for your resume?

Your resume font is one of those things that can either support your message (I’m perfect for this position!) or send the wrong message (I’m too old/too young/too out of touch for this job). In this guide, we share the inside secrets. We’ll give you the 8 best fonts to use on your resume and how you can choose the right fit for your resume.

Times New Roman

The best fonts for resumes ( video )

Font selection is an important part of your resume creation because it sets a tone for your whole document. You can use different fonts for the body and the headings, but you don’t want to use more than two. 

The fonts listed above – and detailed below – are all good, clean font choices. Of course, any font with too many flourishes risks being illegible to the ATS ( applicant tracking system ). So you want to avoid them at all costs. In short, you want your ideal resume font to come across as professional, not detract from your message. Luckily, we have you covered. Let’s take a look at the best fonts for a resume below.

ZipJob's blog includes hundreds of articles on career resources, resume writing, and the job search written by career experts.

Calibri takes number one on our font list and has really gained popularity lately. It’s one of the best fonts for resumes as it’s clean and clear. This one is professional and more modern-looking than some other fonts, making it a great font to use on both a resume and cover letter.

Lucas de Groot, the creator of the Calibri font, described it as having “a warm and soft character.” Microsoft also has Times New Roman with Calibri as the standard font for Word and other applications.

Calibri is clear and easy-to-read. That means that it’s ideal for your next resume. The hiring manager will have no problem quickly scanning the content of your application.

Arial is another great font to use on your next resume. It’s part of the popular sans-serif font family. Many people have said that Arial is one of the easiest to read. As if that wasn’t enough, it also has a more modern look to it than other fonts.

Looking for some more information? Here is a good description of Arial from Wikipedia :

“Arial contains more humanist characteristics than many of its predecessors and as such is more in tune with the mood of the last decades of the twentieth century.”

Arial is one of the best fonts for resumes. The sans-serif typeface is simple yet effective. If you don’t want your font to detract from the content of your resume, use this font.

3. Helvetica

Next up, it’s one of the most popular fonts in the world. Helvetica is an excellent sans-serif font you can use for your resume. Helvetica is very similar to Arial and requires close inspection to really tell the difference. It, too, offers a clean and modern look that’s easy on the eye. It also comes in a variety of weights and styles.

Also a sans-serif font, Tahoma has a more modern look than the rest of the fonts listed. It was used by Microsoft for many years for a variety of different programs. While it is not as popular as the likes of Arial and Helvetica, it’s still one of the best fonts for a resume.

Tahoma is a great option that gives your resume a kick while still appearing professional. Try this one when you want your application to stand out.

5. Trebuchet

Trebuchet is another san-serif font, created by Vincent Connare. His goal with Trebuchet was simple: to create a font that appeared well on a screen and also provided a contrast in texture to Verdana, which is next on our list.

Trebuchet is a great option since it was designed to appear well on a screen which is how most employers will view your resume. It also provides a modern kick compared to other traditional fonts on our list. 

Verdana is another sans-serif which looks ace on a resume. It was designed in 1996 by Mathew Carter, who worked for Microsoft. Verdana was created to appear well on a small screen as well as screens with low resolution.

Verdana is a good font choice to use on applications. It is a simple typeface that is spaced perfectly, making it super easy for anybody to read.

7. Garamond

Garamond is a collection of old-style serif fonts created by 16th-century French engravers. Although it is a good choice, it may seem a bit stale and outdated to some. If you have a lot of experience, it may be a good choice.

Example:  Garamond is a classic font that is suitable for some types of resumes. If you are applying for a highly traditional role, you may find that this font style gives your application a classic look. 

8. Times New Roman

This is probably the most debated font when it comes to resume writing. Times New Roman is a classic serif typeface that may be a bit too overdone for a resume. Although no hiring manager will dismiss your resume because you used Times New Roman, it may not stand out as well as the other fonts on our list.

Times New Roman may be a bit too “classic” when it comes to making your resume stand out. It is still an acceptable font to use, especially for those who want to go with a traditional look.

Times New Roman is a classic for print that you see in many types of media, including newspapers and books. However, resumes are now often viewed on computers or mobile devices. Sans serif fonts (such as the one we use on this website!) are easier to read on a computer screen. it may help you make your font decision if you know whether or not your resume will be read on paper or on a screen.

8 best fonts to use on a resume (graphic)

Bold and italic font: When to use it 

Now that you know what the best fonts to use are, let’s talk about one crucial point. When should you use bold and italic fonts? You don’t want to go wild when it comes to adding extra character to your text. Here’s a breakdown of when you can use each of them: 

It’s not wise to bold any text within the main body of your resume. That includes your summary and any bullet points you include. However, you may want to use the bold feature when you are adding information, such as your contact details in the header.

Italic font 

Resist the urge to italicize words that you want to emphasize. That can look chaotic. Instead, you can use italic font when you’re including certain details, such as your years of employment or the year you graduated. When and where you use this font will depend almost entirely on the overall style of resume that you choose to use here.

How to choose the font for your resume

Trying to decide which font to use? Let’s go over some factors to keep in mind when choosing a resume font for your next application.

1. Resume readability

Readability is, far and away, the most important thing to consider when choosing a font. It sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how many people completely mess up on this one.

If readability is your only concern, any basic serif or sans serif font will do the trick. It’s also extremely important to avoid those comic-looking childish fonts at all costs.

Some fonts were designed to look better on a screen, while others look better when printed out. Think about who is viewing your resume and how they are likely to view your resume. You should be able to use your own judgment to determine readability.

2. Resume font size

We’ve been so intrigued by font styles that we almost forgot to talk about the size. But it matters more than you might imagine. Too big or too small, and you could ruin your chances of success. Generally, you should use a font size between size 10 and 14.

However, it is very important to realize that some font styles run bigger and some run smaller. For that reason, it’s important to make a judgment on the font size after you’ve already decided on a style. That way, you can make sure that it’s legible.

Your goal is to maximize the ease of reading your resume without making the text look overly bloated. Of course, you’ll have to use your best judgment when deciding if it looks bloated. But, if you stick to fonts smaller than 14 points, you will be fine in nearly every scenario. 

There’s one exception: your name. Your name is often the largest font size on your resume, with good reason – you want it to stand out and stick in your readers’ minds! This part can be about twice as big as the other section headings of your resume .

Another important thing to keep in mind is the font size effect on resume length. Obviously, the size of the font can dramatically change the length of your resume – you should always use this to your advantage.

For example, say your resume is just a line or two over a single page or just a few lines away from filling a full page. Adjusting the font just one-tenth of a point can make the text fill out the rest of a page or prevent it from spilling over into the next one. These slight adjustments can work wonders in making your resume more aesthetically pleasing.

3. Purpose of a resume

Font styles can change the entire feeling of a resume. Remember the message you want to convey with your resume. When you take a quick glance at it, does it convey the purpose you want it to? Does it suit the field to which you’re applying?

Does it look like the resume of an old, seasoned veteran? Or, does it look like it is representing a young professional? A recent college grad?

We don’t mean to suggest your resume font is going to manipulate people into thinking you are something you are not. Just like a piece of art can induce certain feelings, so can a good resume. A great font selection will pop out immediately. It should give hiring managers and recruiters an idea of who you are and what your purpose was for writing the resume they see before them.

Compare these versions of the same resume:

Fonts you should never use on a resume

We hope it goes without saying but absolutely do not use Comic Sans or any similar “fun” font on your resume. It will make you stand out, but not in a good way. It’s so childish that it will convey to the employer that you’re out of touch with the professional world.

Just in case you’re not sure what font-type we’re talking about, here are a few examples:

Wingdings (Wingdings)

Avoid using the above under any circumstances. Not for headings, not for symbols, and definitely not for your name. Keep it professional. Just for comparison’s sake, here is the resume we used above with a Comic Sans font.

As you can see here, the font looks immature and the content doesn’t fit on a single page anymore. The work experience is completely overridden by the unprofessional font choice. This will most likely get your resume tossed out of hand. Say it one last time: You should never use Comic Sans for your resume, cover letter, or any professional communication.

Can you combine fonts on your resume?

The short answer is yes! Most resume templates include a couple of font styles. However, you need to ensure that these fonts work with one another. As a general rule, it is safe to choose one font (perhaps a serif font) for headers and one (maybe a sans-serif font) for the finer details. There are many exceptions to this rule, though. When you are creating the design of your resume, you have to consider how the entire document looks, after all. 

The font you choose for your resume is important. You want to strike the perfect balance of uniqueness, class, and professionalism. Keeping these things in mind when choosing a font can be the difference between a call-back and radio silence.

Remember that the “perfect” resume font is subjective. While you should certainly select a font that doesn’t distract from your message, having a well-written resume is more important. While drafting your resume, keep these factors in mind. You’ll be on your way to the next interview in no time!

Ready to take the next step in your career? To make sure the content and format of your resume are ready for online applications in 2024, check out our free resume review tool . It’s always worth giving yourself the competitive edge. 

Recommended reading: 

3 fonts to never use on a resume

How to choose the right font

Resume font size

Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer, Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer

Charlotte Grainger is a freelance writer living and working in Sheffield, UK. She has a passion for career development and loves sharing tips and advice. Follow her on Twitter

Is your resume working?

Find out with a free review from ZipJob.

Get a free resume review today

Our experts will review your resume’s grammar, layout, and ability to pass ATS — all free and delivered straight to your inbox.

• Career Blog

Font Size on Your Resume: How Important is it in 2024?

As a job seeker, few things carry as much weight as your resume. It’s your first and sometimes only chance to make a great impression on a potential employer. With so much riding on this document, it’s crucial that you pay attention to every detail, including font size.

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of font size in a resume. We’ll examine how the perfect font size can make a difference in whether your resume gets noticed by hiring managers or ignored in a pile of applications. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of why font size is critical, what font size you should use, and how to make your resume stand out while staying legible.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the importance of font size in a resume.

What is Font Size?

In the world of typography, font size refers to the measurement of the height of the characters in a font, typically measured in points (pt). It determines the overall size of the text in a document, making it an important factor to consider when creating any form of text-based content.

However, it is important to note that font size is not the same as font style. Font style pertains to the design of the characters themselves, such as whether they are bold, italicized, or underlined. Font size, on the other hand, refers to the overall size of the font and how it is displayed on a page.

When it comes to designing a resume, font size plays a crucial role in determining how well your content will be received by potential employers. A font that is too small may be difficult to read, while a font that is too large can come across as unprofessional.

In general, a font size of 10-12 points is considered the standard for most documents, including resumes. However, if you are struggling to fit all of your information onto one page, you may be tempted to reduce the font size to make more room. This can be a mistake, as it can make your resume difficult to read and ultimately hurt your chances of being invited for an interview.

It is important to find the right balance between font size, font style, and whitespace to create a visually appealing and easy-to-read resume. By making sure that your font size is appropriate for the content and that it is consistent throughout the document, you can ensure that your message is clear and professional.

Font size is an important aspect of typography that determines the size of the text in a document. While it is important to consider when designing a resume or any other form of text-based content, it should be balanced with other design elements to create a cohesive and professional document.

What does Font Size represent in your Resume?

Your resume’s font size determines how appealing and readable it appears to potential employers. Your resume is a representation of your professional experience, skills, and achievements, making it imperative that it is easy on the eyes and readable.

The font size is directly related to the readability of your resume. Using a font size that is too small can make it difficult to read and may discourage hiring managers from taking the time to review your qualifications. On the other hand, using a font size that is too large can make your resume appear unprofessional and clumsy.

To find the right font size for your resume, consider the typeface, page layout, and content of your resume. Commonly used font sizes include 10-12 pt. fonts for the main body of the text, and 14-16 pt. fonts for headings and subheadings, ensuring that your resume is organized and easy to navigate.

Using a consistent font size throughout your resume is essential to avoid distractions and maintain a professional appearance. It would help if you also considered the industry in which you are applying, as some professions may prefer a specific font size or typeface.

Font size plays a crucial role in your resume’s appeal and readability. Finding the right balance between readability and aesthetics is essential. By using the right font size and maintaining consistency throughout your resume, you can draw in potential employers, stand out from other applicants, and leave a lasting impression.

Guidelines for Choosing the Right Font Size for Your Resume

When it comes to creating a resume, choosing the right font size is crucial. You want your resume to be visually appealing, easy to read, and able to effectively communicate your skills and qualifications to potential employers. In this section, we will discuss the technicalities of font size and the different sizes used for different sections of the resume.

Technicalities of Font Size

Font size is measured in points (pt). A point is equivalent to 1/72 of an inch. The standard font size for a resume is 10 to 12 points. However, depending on the font style, some sizes may appear smaller or larger than others.

When choosing the font size for your resume, it’s important to consider the following technical factors:

Legibility – The font size should be easy to read, even from a distance. Choose a size that is not too small or too large.

Consistency – Use the same font size throughout your resume to maintain consistency and visual appeal.

White Space – Proper use of white space in your resume can create a more visually appealing document. If the font size is too small, it can take away from the white space, making the document look cluttered.

Different Sizes Used for Different Sections of the Resume

The font size you choose for your resume should vary depending on the section you’re working on. Here is a breakdown of recommended font sizes for different sections of your resume:

Contact Information: For your name and contact information, use a font size of 14-16 points.

Summary or Objective Statement: 10-14 points is a good size for this section, as it is usually a brief introduction to your skills and qualifications.

Work Experience: Use a font size of 10-12 points to list your professional experience.

Education: 10-12 points is also recommended for listing your education.

Skills: A slightly smaller font size of 8-10 points is appropriate for listing your skills.

Choosing the right font size for your resume is crucial. A clean, easy to read, visually appealing resume can make all the difference in securing an interview. Remember to consider the technicalities of font size and the different sizes used for each section of your resume to create a polished, professional document that effectively showcases your abilities.

How to Check if Your Font Size is Appropriately Sized

Two ways to check if your font size is appropriately sized are:

Estimation of font size by resume length

Your resume length can be an indicator of the appropriate font size. For a standard one-page resume, the ideal font size should be between 10 and 12 points. If you have a longer resume, then you should consider increasing the font size to ensure readability.

Utilization of online resume builders for appropriate sizes

Another way to determine the appropriate font size is by using online resume builders. Most reputable online builders will suggest the appropriate font size based on the length of your resume.

Using these methods can help you ensure that your font size is appropriately sized and that your resume is easy to read and visually appealing.

Examples of Good and Bad Font Sizes in a Resume

When it comes to creating a winning resume, the font size plays a crucial role in determining its readability. The primary objective is to present your information in a clear and concise manner that can be easily understood by the reader. While it’s essential to choose a font size that is visually appealing, it’s equally critical to ensure that the size enhances your written content’s readability.

Here are some examples of good and bad font sizes in a resume:

Good Font Sizes

10 pt. – 12 pt.  – These font sizes are perfect for resumes that have a lot of information. They allow for easy scanning of the document while ensuring that the text remains legible.

11 pt. – 12 pt.  – This font size is ideal for resumes that require a professional, clean look. It can make your content appear polished and sophisticated, which can be especially beneficial if you’re targeting upper management positions.

Bad Font Sizes

Less than 10 pt.  – Anything less than 10 pt. can prove difficult to read, which can be a major turn-off for recruiters. It’s essential to keep in mind that hiring managers will receive dozens of resumes for each job post, and if your font size is too small, your application may end up in the discard pile.

Larger than 12 pt.  – Using larger font sizes can create a negative impression on recruiters. It can make your content appear juvenile and unprofessional, which can hurt your chances of getting hired.

The Impact of Font Size on the Resume’s Readability

The font size of your resume can have a significant effect on how easily the hiring manager can read and understand the written content. If the font size is too small, the reader may have to strain their eyes to read the document, which can be a major turn-off. On the other hand, if the font size is too large, it can make your content appear amateurish and unprofessional.

It’s essential to choose a font size that complements your resume and presents your information in the best possible light. A good rule of thumb is to use a font size between 10 pt. – 12 pt. as it strikes a balance between readability and professionalism.

The font size you choose for your resume can be essential to your job hunt. By using the right font size and style, you can make your content stand out and convey your personality and professionalism effectively. Remember that the goal is to draw the reader’s attention to your skills and achievements, not your formatting choices. As long as your chosen font size enhances your content’s readability, you’re on the right track to creating a winning resume.

The Impact of Industry and Experience on Font Size

As previously discussed, choosing the appropriate font size for your resume can be a crucial factor in determining your chances of landing a job interview. However, the optimal font size for your document may be influenced by both industry and job role, as well as the level of experience you have in your field.

Font Size by Industry and Job Role

Different industries may have different standards when it comes to font sizes on resumes. For example, in the creative and design industries, larger font sizes may be more acceptable as a means of showcasing your creativity and design skills. Meanwhile, for more traditional industries such as banking or law, smaller and more conservative font sizes may be preferred.

The same idea applies to job roles within different industries. For instance, a job in marketing or communications may require a resume with larger text to ensure that your branding and messaging skills are properly showcased, while a sales or finance position may favor a more conservative approach.

It’s important to note that while a larger font may help your resume stand out in certain industries and job roles, it should never sacrifice clarity and readability.

Influence of Experience on Font Size

Experience can also play a significant role in determining the optimal font size for your resume. Generally speaking, the more experience you have in your field, the smaller your font size should be. This is because a smaller font size allows you to fit more information onto your document, highlighting your substantial experience in the industry.

However, this isn’t always the case. In some cases, individuals with a wealth of experience may choose to use a larger font size to emphasize their qualifications and knowledge. This approach may work for industries such as academia, where publications and research papers are a crucial part of showcasing one’s expertise.

Ultimately, the decision on the appropriate font size for your resume depends on a number of factors, including industry, job role, and experience level. It’s important to strike a balance between readability and showcasing your skills and qualifications in the best possible light.

Warnings and Risks of Inappropriate Font Sizes

Using the wrong font size on your resume can have serious negative consequences. Here are some of the disadvantages of utilizing a font that is either too small or too large:

Disadvantages of a Font That is Too Small

• It can be difficult to read, especially for individuals who have poor eyesight.
• It can appear unprofessional and may give the impression that you are trying to cram too much information onto your resume.
• It may be overlooked by recruiters or hiring managers who are scanning quickly through hundreds of resumes.

Disadvantages of a Font That is Too Large

• It can make your resume appear disorganized and unprofessional.
• It can be distracting to the reader and take away from the content of your resume.
• It may give the impression that you are trying to fill up space or hide a lack of experience or accomplishments.

In addition to these disadvantages, there are also risks associated with using an inappropriate font size on your resume:

• Your resume may be automatically rejected by an applicant tracking system (ATS) if the font size is not within a certain range.
• It may give the impression that you are not detail-oriented or are unaware of basic resume formatting guidelines.
• It may cause the reader to overlook important information or lose interest in reading your resume altogether.

Choosing the right font size for your resume is crucial. It can make the difference between getting noticed by recruiters and hiring managers or being overlooked entirely. Make sure to choose a font size that is easy to read, professional, and appropriate for your level of experience and qualifications.

How Font Size Correlates to Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

When it comes to submitting a resume online, it’s important to consider how it will be scanned by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). These systems use algorithms to scan and filter resumes based on specific criteria and keywords. One important factor that can affect how your resume performs in an ATS is the font size.

How ATS tests your resume’s font size

ATS systems are designed to scan resumes quickly and efficiently. They are trained to recognize certain font types and sizes, such as Arial or Times New Roman at 10-12 point font size. Resumes with fonts that are too small or too large can be difficult for an ATS to read, causing it to overlook important information.

To test your resume’s font size, you can use an ATS-friendly font size tool to see how your text will appear when scanned by an ATS system. This tool can give you a better idea of whether you need to adjust the font size to increase your chances of passing an ATS scan.

Connections between font size and ATS scanning

The font size on your resume can affect how well an ATS scans and categorizes your resume. If your font is too small, the ATS may miss important keywords and phrases that are necessary for your resume to be categorized accurately. Conversely, if your font is too large, the ATS may not be able to read it properly and may categorize your resume incorrectly.

Another important factor to consider is the length of your resume. If your font size is too large, it may cause your resume to take up too much space, causing an ATS to overlook important information. Likewise, if your font size is too small, it may cause your resume to be too lengthy, which can also lead to an ATS filter.

Font size is an important factor that can affect how well your resume performs in an ATS scan. It’s important to choose a font size that is easy to read and compatible with an ATS system. Using an ATS-friendly font size tool can help you determine whether you need to adjust your font size to optimize your chances of passing an ATS scan. Remember, the goal is to get your resume noticed by a hiring manager, and an ATS is often the first step in that process.

Best Practices: Rules to Follow When Choosing a Font Size for Your Resume

As a job applicant, it is important to make a good first impression on potential employers. One way of achieving this is by presenting a well-formatted and easy-to-read resume. One of the essential elements in creating an effective resume is choosing the appropriate font size. Here are ten guidelines to consider when selecting the best font size for your resume:

Use a font size between 10 and 12 points for the body text. This is the most widely accepted standard size for resume text.

For headings or section titles, use font sizes between 14 and 16 points. This helps to create a clear visual hierarchy and makes it easier for employers to scan through your resume.

Avoid font sizes that are too small, such as anything below 10 points. These can be difficult to read, especially for older employers who may have weaker eyesight.

Do not use font sizes that are too large, such as anything above 16 points. These can make your document look unprofessional and decrease readability.

Consider the font type and its style. Some fonts may appear bigger or smaller than others even if they are the same size. Serif fonts, for example, are typically larger than sans-serif fonts.

Be consistent with your font sizes throughout the document. This helps to create a uniform look and makes your resume easier to navigate and read.

Use bold and italics sparingly for emphasis. Overusing these formatting techniques can make your resume look cluttered and unprofessional.

Pay attention to the white space on your document. Too little white space can make your resume look cramped, while too much can make it look untidy.

Keep in mind the audience and the industry you are applying to. Certain professions may require more conservative or creative formatting.

Test your resume on different devices and screens to ensure that the font size is easy to read. This can help to prevent any readability issues that may arise when your resume is viewed on different platforms.

Choosing the right font size can make a significant difference in the overall presentation and readability of your resume. By following these guidelines and best practices for different industries, you can create an effective resume that showcases your skills and qualifications in the best possible way.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some common questions about the importance of font size in a resume:

Q. Is font size really that important in a resume?

Yes, font size is important in a resume. It can affect the readability, overall layout, and professionalism of your resume. A font size that is too small may make your resume difficult to read, while a font size that is too large may make it look unprofessional and unpolished.

Q. What is the ideal font size for a resume?

The ideal font size for a resume is generally considered to be between 10 and 12 points. However, the specific font size you choose will depend on the font style you use and the overall design of your resume. It’s important to strike a balance between readability and professionalism.

Q. Can I use different font sizes in different sections of my resume?

Yes, you can use different font sizes in different sections of your resume. For example, you might use a larger font size for your name and contact information, and a slightly smaller font size for your work experience and education sections. However, it’s important to maintain consistency within each section and across your entire resume.

Q. Should I use bold or italic font in my resume?

You can use bold or italic font in your resume to draw attention to important information, such as section headings, job titles, or achievements. However, it’s important to use these formatting styles sparingly and consistently. Too much use of bold or italic font can be distracting and make your resume difficult to read.

Q. Can I use a non-traditional font in my resume?

You can use a non-traditional font in your resume, but it’s important to use discretion. Keep in mind that some fonts may be difficult to read or may not be compatible with certain software programs. Stick with professional and widely recognized fonts, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.

Hopefully, these answers have helped to address some of the common questions and concerns you may have had about font size in your resume. Remember, a carefully designed and professional-looking resume can make all the difference in your job search.

Related Articles

• Hiring Managers in the Workplace: Responsibilities in 2023
• Interior Decorator: Job Description, Salary, and Skills
• Certificate Programs That Lead to Well-Paying Jobs in 2023
• 10 Digital Marketing Resume Examples for 2023
• Top 10 Teacher Interview Questions and Answers for 2023

Rate this article

0 / 5. Reviews: 0

More from ResumeHead

Top 10 ATS-Friendly and Readable Resume Fonts in 2024

There are thousands fonts you can choose from, but how do you know which are the most suitable for your resume?

Fonts cheatsheet (free infographic)

These 10 fonts will always be a good safe choice for any resume:

• Times New Roman

Continue reading below to see why these fonts will help potential employers and Applicant Tracking Systems be able to find and correctly parse the text in your resume.

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

The importance of legible fonts on your resume

The font you select for your resume can impact your employers perception of you. Employers will look for something beyond your words, and having a well-selected font is one way you can express your professional presence. If it's unreadable, it could be the first thing someone may notice and the reason why your resume gets skipped. Choosing a font that is clean, crisp, and well-defined can show the reader that you have style, are professional, and have a personal touch. If your resume is using a hard-to-read font, it tells the reader that you don’t care about presentation or looking unprofessional.

A font that is too cluttered, too big, or too small makes it difficult for the hiring manager to read your resume—and sends a message to them that you are disorganized, sloppy, or do not sweat the details.

While there is no perfect resume font, there are fonts that are better than others. It is important that you select a font that works for you and presents the best possible image for the type of resume you are creating. ‍

What is an ATS-friendly font?

The ATS-friendliness of a resume is based on whether the ATS can correctly parse out the text on your resume. Of course your resume’s content counts for much more than your font choice, but choosing a font that’s easy to read on any screen is a great way to make your resume more accessible to recruiters, hiring managers and ATS systems. If you’re wondering what the difference is, it’s important to know that an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is the primary application that’s developed to track hiring processes for new candidates. When you apply for a job online, chances are that the employer is using an ATS of some kind to accept and process all job applications. To make an ATS-friendly resume, you need to make it easy for the computer to read .

This means making it easy for the computer to parse your text and pull out the information it needs from your resume without having to ask you for help. Computer programs like an ATS can handle simple formatting like tabs and spaces, but they can be confused by larger and more complex changes to your text, like decorative texts. See the example below:

In the incorrect example above —when the computer wants to parse your text, it can miss the letters in a decorative font, making your content difficult to parse and possibly missed. ‍

Choosing a font and size for your resume

It’s important to make sure that your font is clear and easy to read, both in print and on the screen. What happens if you choose a resume font that’s not very clear? Well, you’re going to run into problems when the hiring manager or recruiter can’t read your resume. If your resume looks like a jumbled mess, they won’t bother with it. At best, you’ll get passed over for a more readable resume. At worst, you’ll get a rejection letter because the hiring manager or ATS won’t be able to make sense of your resume.

One of the most important aspects when choosing a font is how it looks. Your potential employer won’t be impressed by a resume that looks like it was typed by a teenager.

TIP: We also recommend trying to mix and match Heading & Body fonts like in the example below to help your resume stand out even more.

You can use our template editor to quickly change fonts for any resume template that we offer. We have a mix of professional fonts, commonly used ATS-friendly fonts, and even a selection of decorative Google Fonts for more creative industries and professions. To change fonts, just open up any template in our resume builder and select fonts from the Heading Font and Body Font dropdown menu as seen in the example below:

When choosing a font size, make sure to keep it large enough to read. At minimum, it should be 12pt. A font size no smaller than 10pt should be used on the name of the company and your contact information at the top of your resume. This will help ensure it is easily readable and that the reader will be able to understand your content. ‍

Deciding on spacing and margins

As far as spacing goes, the easiest way to decide how much spacing you should have is by following the 1-inch rule.

You should have to at least 1-inch of whitespace and margins across all sides of your resume.

If your resume has a lot of content, then you can try to decrease your margins by a quarter-of-an-inch at a time. Ideally never less than 0.5 inch margins. We also suggest a good range of line spacing, this is the spacing in-between each of line of text in a paragraph. Somewhere between 7-8pt of line-spacing should be good. If your font size is bigger, you can increase the line-spacing between text relative to your font size. That being said, you should also be aware of what is known as a generous line spacing. When we say generous, we mean to create a more readable resume that utilizes whitespace. The exception to this is if you have experience, education, or awards that can’t be combined. In this case, the spacing needs to be generous so it doesn’t overlap and mess up the formatting. ‍

Here are the Top 10 ATS-Friendly fonts

Times New Roman (serif) ‍

Perhaps one of the most popular and classic fonts that gets used on resumes— and college essays . It's a default choice as a serif font in many applications and has been a solid go-to for many types of documents including resumes. We'd recommend using Times New Roman when choosing a more professional style resume like our Wakefield template.

Times New Roman should be available as a font on most Windows & Mac computers. ‍

Tahoma (sans-serif)

‍ Tahoma was created by the team at Microsoft and initially shipped with early releases of Windows 95. It has a similar feel to the font Verdana (below) and can often be a suitable substitute given it's more tighter character spacing. Tahoma should be available as a font on most Windows & Mac computers. ‍

Verdana (sans-serif) ‍

Verdana, has similarities to Tahoma, and is another clean and crisp font designed by Microsoft. The main difference is Verdana's more generous character spacing (whereas Tahoma is more tighter). It feels professional, works great on screens and is very legible at smaller sizes, making it ideal for resumes that may contain a lot of body copy. Verdana should be available as a font on most Windows & Mac computers. ‍

Arial (sans-serif) ‍

Arial is everywhere. It has similarities to both Helvetica (below) and Verdana (above). You'll likely have seen or used Arial at some point in your career or even just browsing the web. Arial was also the default font for Microsoft Office applications, before being replaced by the introduction of Calibri in 2007. Arial should be available as a font on most Windows & Mac computers. ‍

Helvetica (sans-serif) ‍

Helvetica is one of the most enviable fonts of the modern era. The grotesque and Swiss style typeface is widely used and beloved amongst many designers. Using Helvetica will instantly make your resume feel more modern, easier to read and feel sophisticated all at the same time. Helvetica is available as a font on most Mac computers. For Windows users, we'd recommend using Arial as a fallback or downloading Roboto from Google Fonts which can also be a suitable replacement. ‍

Calibri (sans-serif) ‍

As mentioned earlier, Calibri was introduced with Microsoft Office in 2007. It's commonly used amongst many as a replacement for more classic sans-serif typefaces such as Arial, Tahoma, and Verdana. It works for a variety of use-cases, and offers familiarity and flexibility to your resume. You can use Calibri as both heading and body copy. Calibri is available as a font on most Windows computers. For Mac users, we'd recommend using Helvetica or Verdana as an alternative. ‍

Georgia (serif) ‍

Georgia is a great classic serif font for resumes. Created by the same inventor as Verdana, Tahoma and Arial—Matthew Carter of Microsoft. It is a serif font, which means that the characters are more fluid and the letters have little tails that serif fonts often have. This works well for resume fonts because it is easier to read in small sizes, which you want in a resume. It is a good font for longer job descriptions because it can be easily read in the small space. It is still easy to read, but is not as distracting as other fonts. This font is perfect for resumes and will help your resume stand out without being too flashy. Georgia should be available as a font on most Windows & Mac computers. ‍

Cambria (serif) ‍

Cambria is a beautiful serif font that is a bit more blockier than what we normally see. This makes the font ideal for body text and is readable at smaller sizes. The font itself is very sturdy and can stand on it's own very well. We'd recommend using Cambria as an alternative to Times New Roman if you're looking to emphasize more parts of your work experience or resume in general. Cambria should be available as a font on most Windows computers. If you don't have access, we'd recommend using Source Serif Pro from Google Fonts as a free alternative. It possesses similar characteristics, most prominently its blocky serif style. ‍

Gill Sans (sans-serif) ‍

Gill Sans has a rich history, mainly being introduced as one of the first prominent sans-serif fonts that gained wide popularity across parts of Europe in the early 20th century. Gill Sans still remains one of the most popular and widely distributed typefaces as of today. It has a large x-height, a wide range of weights, and a classical appearance. It is often used to convey a sense of trustworthiness and prestige, and has been found in  corporate branding, logos and signage. Gills Sans should be available as a font on most Windows and Mac computers. ‍

Garamond (serif)

‍ Garamond is a beautiful and classic font that represents old-style fonts extremely well. Use Garamond if you're applying to a more professional industry, and you want to stand out as someone who cares about the details which is what Garamond is primarily known for. Garamond should be available as a font on most Windows and Mac computers.

Video Summary

Here's a video summary of all the best resume fonts we've recommended above, in under 30 seconds.

Browse more resume templates that fit your role

Ed is a co-founder of Easy Resume. His background in scaling teams at tech startups over the last decade has given him extensive experience and knowledge around how to hire top talent and build successful teams. He enjoys mentoring, coaching, and helping others reach their career goals. When he's not writing about career-related advice, he's playing with his dog, Lilo, or going on long hikes in upstate New York.

Get inspired with more resume examples

More advice that will accelerate your career path, 15+ key healthcare skills to list on your resume in 2024 (with examples).

Healthcare is a massive and important industry that contains all sorts of professionals. To land a job in healthcare, you must understand what relevant skills employers are searching for. In this guide, we will cover key healthcare skills to include on your resume and why doing so is so important.

15+ IT Skills to List on Your Resume in 2024 (With Examples)

IT is a massively growing industry with tons of potential for professional growth. It’s no wonder why so many applicants are flocking to these jobs! In this guide, we will cover what IT skills are and offer you examples of some of the top skills to include on your resume.

50+ Key Technical Skills to List on Your Resume in 2024 (With Examples)

Including technical skills on a resume is an absolute necessity. These types of skills show employers your quantifiable qualifications. In this guide, we will cover exactly what a technical skill is and some of the best examples to include on a resume.

20+ Key Computer Skills to List on Your Resume in 2024 (With Examples)

With the world becoming more digitally focused, having strong computer skills is more important than ever. In this guide, we will cover what computer skills are and which ones are best to include on your resume.

Read our how-to guides on making your resume perfect

How to write a resume header.

Your resume header is the very first thing an employer will see. Not only does it need to contain the correct information, but it needs to stand out as well! In this guide, we will teach you how to write the ideal header for your resume.

How to Write Your Resume in Reverse-Chronological Order

When setting out to write the perfect resume, choosing a format is an important decision. Reverse-chronological resumes are the standard format, so knowing how to craft one is key! This guide will teach you how to write the best reverse chronological resumes.

How to List Contact Information on Your Resume in 2024

Learn how to format contact information on your resume and what information to share with the hiring manager.

How to Write a Two-Page Resume (with Examples & Tips)

Don't know whether you should write a one-page or two-page resume? Find out when it is appropriate to write a two-page resume and learn how to write it correctly.

Professional resume templates to help land your next dream job.

Facebook • Twitter • Linkedin • Pinterest • Crunchbase

Best Font for Resume: Sizes, Styles, and Spacing

Choosing the right font for your resume can be agonizing - you want your resume to stand out from the crowd but still remain professional and easy to read. While of course the most important aspect of your resume is the actual content, the font(s) you choose can make the difference between a clean, professional document and a difficult-to-read resume that gets immediately rejected.

This article will cover the best fonts to use for resumes and how to properly style your resume with typographic emphasis, font pairings, font sizes, line spacing, and margins.

Best Resume Fonts

Here is a selection of some of the best resume fonts that are easy to read and professional:

• Times New Roman
• Trebuchet MS

While there are certainly other fonts that can work well on your resume, avoid using any fonts that include ‘thin’ or ‘light’ in their names, as these can be hard to read especially when viewed on a computer screen.

When in doubt, go for practicality and readability over style when it comes to your resume font.

Finally, consider the industry that you are applying for when you select your resume fonts. If you are applying to a position in a staid field like accounting or law, you will likely want to keep your font choices neutral and very professional.

However, if you are applying to a more creative field like graphic design or advertising, it’s acceptable to branch out more with your resume fonts and color scheme. In that case, your resume often functions as not only a summary of your experience and qualifications but also as a visual representation of your creative skills and abilities. Still, don’t go overboard - ensuring that your resume is easy to read is the top priority.

Serif vs. Sans-Serif Resume Fonts

Serifs are the small cross-pieces or ‘tails’ at the ends of each letter stroke in fonts like Garamond, Times New Roman, and Georgia. Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, and Calibri do not include these tiny lines.

Both serif and sans-serif fonts can be easy to read and professional, although they each have their pros and cons. It’s generally accepted that serif fonts can be read slightly more quickly, but they do have a more old-fashioned, dated look. Sans-serif fonts, on the other hand, are considered to be fresh and modern, providing a clean look for a resume - but they can take fractionally longer to read.

Either type of font is acceptable for resumes so long as it’s legible.

Pairing Resume Fonts

You may wish to use two contrasting yet harmonious fonts on your resume: one for your name and section headings and another for the main content. Pairing fonts can be tricky, but it can be highly effective to create visual interest and flow. You may wish to pair a sans-serif heading font with a serif body font, or even a more flowery script heading font with a sans-serif body font. As always, ensure that both fonts are easy to read and go together well without clashing or pulling the reader’s attention away from the content.

Additionally, if you submit a cover letter with your resume, ensure that the fonts and style are the same across both documents to create a memorable personal brand and a cohesive look.

Use Typographic Emphasis

You can also use typographic emphasis like bold, italics, and capitalization to create some visual interest and help subheadings stand out without having to make the font larger which uses up more valuable space. For example, you could use italics for supporting text, such as the city and state for each past position or where your university is located.

As a general rule, bold and all-capitals can be used together, but italics should be used without any other emphasis - otherwise it can look cluttered. Steer clear of using underlines in your resume to keep it looking clean and organized.

Best Resume Font Size

The standard font size for the body text of your resume is 11 or 12 points. Headings and subheadings can be larger, but generally no bigger than 14 points. If you need to squeeze one more line onto your resume to avoid spilling onto a second page, you can go as small as 10 points. If you still can’t fit everything on one page , consider editing your content for brevity or adjusting the margins slightly rather than dropping the font size any further.

Sans-serif fonts in general are easier to read in a smaller font size than serif fonts, so if you must use a small size, select a sans-serif font so the hiring manager will still be able to read your text. Even in the same font size, a serif font like Garamond will appear much smaller and denser than a sans-serif font like Verdana.

Resume Font Colors

Of course, the standard font color for a resume is just plain black. However, you can deviate from all-black text to create some visual interest by changing your headings, subheadings, or header (with your name and contact info) to a different color that is still legible and professional, such as dark gray, navy, or forest green.

You can also change the body text of your resume to a color like dark gray if you wish, but be sure that the color scheme doesn’t take anything away from the content of your resume (e.g. no garish colors and keep the color scheme consistent throughout).

You can also add interest by creating a color-block background for your header. For example, your name and contact information could be presented in white text on a dark-colored background, or black text on a light-colored background. If you do opt for a bold header color, you could also use that color for your headings and subheadings, leaving the rest of the text black or dark gray so as to avoid visual overwhelm.

Resume Line Spacing and Margins

When it comes to resume spacing, there are a few key considerations. The recommended line spacing for resumes usually falls within the range of single to 1.5-point spacing. If you have limited experience to showcase, utilizing 1.5-point spacing can help fill the page and prevent any unnecessary white space.

If you do have a lot of information to include, single spacing allows you to fit more on the page while still being legible. 1.15-point spacing is perhaps the easiest to read, providing some white space between lines while not egregiously using space.

Typically, resumes have one-inch margins all the way around. However, if you need to adjust the margins slightly to fit all of your content onto a single page, that is acceptable. Avoid making your margins too small though, or you run the risk that some of your text will be cut off when your resume is printed out.

Submit Your Resume as a PDF to Protect Fonts and Format

The most common file formats for resumes are Word Docs and PDFs . However, a PDF is your best option when it comes to preserving your careful font selection and document formatting. A PDF will look the exact same to everyone who opens it, while a Word Doc can get altered or even completely scrambled if the person opening the document doesn’t have Microsoft Word on their computer or they have a different version of the program than you.

Also, if you use a downloaded font and the employer doesn’t have the same font downloaded, your resume font might be switched to another random font or your text might not show up at all. As such, it’s always a good idea to save and submit your resume as a PDF to avoid any potential formatting and font mishaps.

Key Takeaways

Choose a simple, professional font for your resume that is easy to read. Consider pairing it with another contrasting but complementary font, or use typographical emphasis like bold, italics, or all-capitals to provide visual interest. Use standard line spacing and one-inch margins, and be sure to save your resume as a PDF so your fonts and formatting remain intact.

Need help choosing the perfect fonts for your resume? Check out Jobseeker’s resume builder tool. There are several templates to choose from with pre-set fonts, or you can enter your information and easily switch between fonts to see which ones you like best. Then download your polished resume instantly and get started applying for jobs right away!

Get ahead of the competition

Make your job applications stand-out from other candidates.

How to Show Promotion on Resumes for Best Results

The Benefits of Using a C.A.R. Method Resume

Best Transferable Skills for Resumes

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Career Planning
• Finding a Job

The Best Font Size and Style for Resumes

Resume Font Size Options

• Why Does Font Choice Matter?

The Best Resume Font Type to Use

Be consistent, how to select a font, confirming your font choice, more resume style tips.

Theresa Chiechi / The Balance

When you’re writing your resume , your font choice does matter. It's important to opt for a basic font—choose one that both hiring managers and applicant management systems can easily read. Your resume is no place to use difficult-to-read cursive, handwriting-style, or calligraphy fonts.

Make it easy for hiring managers and potential interviewers to read through your entire resume. Choose a font size that's between 10 and 12.   This will ensure that no one has to squint to read through all the information on this important document.

It's fine to use a larger font size for your name in the heading section of your resume at the top of the page.

Hiring managers and recruiters typically spend seconds glancing at each resume before moving it to the “yes” or “no” pile.   Make your resume difficult to read, and you might wind up losing out on an opportunity that would have been perfect for you.

Keep Your Resume Font Style Simple

There are a few reasons why it's important to keep the font on your resume simple. First of all, many of them are read by applicant tracking systems and not by people. Those systems work best reading plain and simple text rather than that with fancy formatting.

It's not just the machines that benefit from easily readable text—human eyes also find it easier.

Choose a Basic Font Style

Basic bookprint fonts like Arial, Verdana, Calibri, and Times New Roman work well. However, if you are applying to a position in graphic design or advertising (where resume layout and design might be part of your assessment), employers might be open to alternative fonts.

Don't use more than two different font styles (one for the headings and another for the content) or it could be distracting to the reader.

Headings and Margins

You can make section headers a little larger or bold. And don't forget about white space, too. Keep side margins a standard width.

Make your name—which should be placed at the top of your resume—stand out. It can be in a slightly larger font.

Don't overuse capitalization, bold, italics, underlines, or other emphasizing features. Again, basic works best. Do be consistent in your formatting.

For example, if you bold one section heading, bold them all. Make sure all your bullet points are indented the same amount, and that alignment and spacing throughout is consistent.

Select a font from the dropdown list at the top of your document before you start writing your resume.

• Type your resume.
• Highlight the resume.
• Either select the font from the pop-up window or select the font from the list at the top of the document.
• Select the font size you want to use the same way.

Hiring managers may read your resume on screen, but it's also quite likely that they'll print out a copy of your resume. So after you have selected a font and font size, it is always wise to print out a copy of your resume.

Take a look at your printed resume to see if it's easy to scan through. If you have to squint to read, or find the font appears cramped, choose a different one or select a larger size.

Bottom line: You want anyone who sees your resume to be able to easily read it.

If you can read the document yourself, and you're not using a novelty font (e.g., comic sans, a handwriting font, etc.), you've probably made a good choice.

• Be consistent. Your resume, cover letter, and other application materials should look like they’re part of the same package. Choose the same font throughout, and make consistent choices about font size, margin width, and formatting.
• Don’t get fancy. With a few exceptions (such as graphic design or advertising jobs, as mentioned above) it’s best to keep your resume simple. Creative resumes may put off the hiring manager … or get stuck in the applicant tracking system and never reach a HR person.

Remember: the goal is to impress the reader with your skills and experience, not your resume style choices.

• Aiming for one page? Don’t tweak your font size to meet your goal. Writing a resume isn’t like writing an essay in school. You can’t squeak in under the wire by making your font larger or smaller. Plus, resume length is less important than resume content. You can always develop a one-page version to hand out at networking events and job fairs, and keep the longer version for other job searching purposes. 

CareerOneStop. " Resume Format ." Accessed July 20, 2021.

Ladders. " You Have 7.4 Seconds to Make an Impression: How Recruiters See Your Resume ." Accessed July 20, 2021.

CareerOneStop. " Design for Easy Reading ." Accessed July 21, 2021.

19 brilliant resume fonts that make a real impact

These fonts will elevate your resume.

The font you choose for your resume sets the tone for your entire first impression on a potential employer. This is why you should never overlook the importance of design when it comes to your resume. A good impression isn’t just about content; it’s also about presentation, and like it or not; people unconsciously read into every single detail. Font is no exception.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 19 best fonts to use on your resume. There are lots of lists out there on the internet, but we’ve done some serious research and come up with the ultimate list; making this your complete, definitive guide to choosing a font for your CV. For extending your font choices outside of your CV, we also have a list of the best free fonts for designers, as well as a guide to the best free web fonts. And if you've already got the job, it might be time to take a look at the best presentation fonts .

1. Times New Roman

Designed for the British newspaper The Times , Times New Roman was the staple font of the Times font family created by Stanley Morison. At the time he was the art advisor at Monotype, a company founded by Steve Matteson, another notorious font designer. Times New Roman is the standard serif typeface used in professional contexts, especially in British publishing, making it perfect for a classic, traditional touch to your resume.

Similar to Times New Roman but created with thicker lines, Times is a friendlier font to look at while staying in line with the tone of the British newspaper. Times was not, however, always a part of the same font family as Times New Roman. It was first created by Monotype’s competitor, Linotype. However, since a merge between Monotype and Linotype, the font family now named ‘Times’ includes both Times and Times New Roman. For those interested in the traditional elements of Times New Roman and the professionalism of a classic serif font, Times offers your resume a friendlier serif still inkeeping with the traditional feel.

3. Helvetica

Created by Max Meidinger inspired by Greek, German and Swiss designs, Helvetica was bought by Linotype. Given the company’s merge with its competitor, this now makes Helvetica another Monotype font. Helvetica has also always been one of the most commonly used fonts for Lettraset, given its appealing condensed letter spacing and legibility. Almost immediately from its creation, Helvetica quickly became the sans serif font as ubiquitous as the Times family. It would create a modern-looking, sharp resume, as it was designed specifically for legibility and ease of printing, as well as for sharpness on screens.

Often used in body copy on websites, Georgia was popular upon its first release due to its ease of legibility and consistency across both Mac and Windows computers. It was initially published by Microsoft and became so widespread due to its ability to make text legible on low resolutions as well as high. This makes it a safe font choice for a resume, as it means whatever screen or device your resume is opened on and however well or poorly your resume is printed, Georgia ensures one of the highest levels of legibility achieved with a serif font.

5. Baskerville

Named after its creator, Baskerville was originally created in the 1700s and published by Linotype. Now, in the modern day, Monotype owns Baskerville and have created their own updated version. Baskerville is a successful serif font because it combines professionalism and strong legibility with a stylised design, meaning that professional situations – such as your resume – can have an added touch of personal style. With a particularly low x-height and pronounced serifs, Baskerville is often used in professional contexts that require a feminine touch, such as for Penguin, in Vogue and in The New Yorker Magazine . If your resume needs to get across a professional feel as well the style of classic, feminine publishing, Baskerville conveys the message.

Aptos is a divisive font that has sparked arguments between designers recently. A Microsoft typeface created by the founder of Monotype, Aptos was introduced as the new default font in Microsoft Word, replacing Calibri. This turned into a controversial decision, given Calibri’s long reign as the Word standard, but many designers have now given Aptos their blessing. Only created in 2023, it may well become a rival to Helvetica as well as Calibri, as it’s an attractive sans serif typeface with hints of Avenir but with thicker strokes and letters that are far more condensed. Using Aptos for your resume could be an incredibly modern touch and might even show your adaptability to change with the times. Still fresh to many people’s eyes, your potential employer might feel refreshed reading your resume with a clear, standard typeface they don’t recognise as well and haven’t come across on every other resume.

Another font that inherited its name from its designer, Hoefler is the also the name of the designer’s type foundry, Hoefler and Co. One of the first fonts specifically created for digital typography use rather than printing, it is now yet another font acquired by Monotype – a move that is surely by now a signpost of a font's relevance in the design and publishing industry. Hoefler is a dramatic serif typeface, so will give your CV a very stylised look but given its universal nature, will stay in line with the necessary amounts of professionalism.

Arial was created especially for Monotype for use specifically with a printer used at the time, and then quickly became a standard typeface in Windows computers. Arial is now a standard font included in all computers and is above all, a type founded on practicality. Originally created for the process of a specific printer of its time, its strokes are harsh, thick and sharp for efficient printing, and now works perfectly for universal legibility and clarity on screens. A convenience of Arial is its range of variations, including many versions of Arial ‘narrow’ as well as many different 'bold' styles. This makes it a versatile font for your resume as it will cover all bases – it's a fully equipped family ready to create variety in your headings, subheadings and body text, while allowing you to maintain consistency in font throughout your whole resume.

9. Helvetica Neue

Helvetica Neue is a subtly updated version of Helvetica published in the 1980s by the daughter company of Linotype. The more pronounced punctuation marks of Helvetica Neue as well as more consistent x and y heights are both noticeable changes that Helvetica Neue adopted. To the untrained eye, the difference is not too noticeable, but Helvetica Neue qualifies as an equally practical and professional font to use in a resume. It is technically an improved reworking of Helvetica and does boast higher consistency in letter design, so if anything, it might even qualify as a more professional choice than Helvetica.

The 1980s clearly functioned as a font industry boom! Yet another standard sans-serif typeface released in the 1980s by Linotype, Avenir is a clean, modern font that dramatically adjusts any text into a strong, contemporary design. Another popular sans-serif font designed with Swiss typography in mind, its lightweight, rounded letters create a refined look that depicts an unusual, future-focussed design. Avenir is a standard typeface that is safely professional but not too commonly used on resumes due to its contemporary feel. It's a choice you’ve got to be certain about, but if you are, it should perfectly depict your personality and will stand out from the rest of the stack.

11. Belgiano Serif

Belgiano Serif is probably the least commonly used font on this list, given its publication by a much smaller company and the fact that its most prominent source for downloading is via DaFonts, but I believe it’s a typeface that is very overlooked and needs a more significant platform. Possibly one of the most feminine serif font out there that still maintains professionalism, its serifs are extremely pronounced and make for a distinctive look. On your resume it might fare well to simply use it for headings, but it’s a less commonly seen touch that adds connotations of old-school New York publishing and old-fashioned feminine publications. It’s not a font that comes as a standard in either Microsoft or Apple , so it’s worth downloading to use for your own personal touch of elegance on your resume.

Didot is an old font created by a French printer and publisher and used in the company's own books, with its lettering becoming the most infamous part of the company's legacy that has stood the test of time. The lighter strokes of Didot are just distinguishable enough to cut an elegant typeface reminiscent of when books were designed by hand pre-digital-age. It is a timeless font now, and was a contemporary and forward-focussed typeface for its time of creation, the 1700s. Its serifs are not as dramatically pronounced as a font like Belgiano Serif, making it a practical serif choice for a resume, but it also combines thicker and lighter strokes that keep its classic, timeless origination in mind.

13. Microsoft Sans Serif

Similarities between Microsoft Sans Serif and Aptos can be easily drawn in its thinner, straight strokes and low contrast between the x and y-heights. Given its use for the same company, it’s highly likely that Microsoft Sans Serif is where some of Aptos’s inspiration was drawn. If you’re looking for an easy sans-serif font that is slightly different to Helvetica but still covers all the same bases, Microsoft Sans Serif has got you covered.

Popular in the use of editorial graphic design, Futura has also been used in many iconic brand logos. You may be surprised to realise how often you’ve stumbled across Futura without realising it, which proves just how versatile it is as a font that can be redesigned, updated and stylised into something so specific that it’s not recognisable next to a different design that might also be using Futura. It was even used on a sign planted on the moon during the first landing and is still there today. If you’re looking to get a bit more creative with your resume but want a professional font as a safe baseline to start from, Futura gives you enough space to create something completely new and as something so widely and significantly used, will always be welcome to the eyes. It’s far friendlier than the standard sans serif fonts too, with extremely rounded letters, a high contrast between the x and y-heights, and occasional stylised touches such as the art-deco-esque curve of the uppercase ‘B’. It was created with Bauhaus design of the time in mind and published by the Bauer Type Foundry, but is now owned by Monotype, who have since published their own updated version, ‘Futura Now’.

15. Garamond

Often used in book publishing as a serif font made up of strokes of consistent thicknesses with dignified, subtle serifs, Garamond was created by a French engraver of the same name in the 1700s. It was created at a moment in time when reading was very gradually becoming distributed to more people and publishers were moving away from Gothic typefaces and towards Roman letters instead, Garamond being one of them. Garamond’s best quality is its agreeable spacing, one of its legible qualities that make it so widely used in book publishing. If you’re handing someone your resume in person, Garamond serves as one of the best options, as it is known as one of the best serif fonts to use in print, and has been respected as one of the best printed typefaces for centuries. Garamond is understated but traditional, and would add a very dignified and book-ish touch to a resume, especially for one that's directed towards the printing, publishing or teaching industries.

Butler was inspired by the roman font reminiscent of Gothic type features, Bodoni, with one of many differences including Butler’s inclusiveness of both lowercase and uppercase letters. Created as recently as 2015 and freely available, it is not yet a standard serif font, but is used by many and is gaining popularity as an elegant serif font with dramatic contrast in stroke thicknesses throughout each letter. With such dramatic contrast in strokes, it would work well as a distinctive header or sub-header. It does however come in 14 weights, meaning that it’s flexible enough to be used across your entire resume. It’s a neat font with subtler serifs than Belgiano Serif, so would come across as incredibly professional, and as it’s not as commonly used as some of the others on this list, would stand out from the crowd and give you a signature style.

17. Charter

Charter is another font designed to read well on screens with lower resolutions, and its designer, Matthew Carter, holds the title of CBE for all of his significant font creations and contributions to the world. The serifs of Charter are blunted, and the x and y-heights are fairly close together, making it a squarer typeface that works especially well for use in body text both in printing and on screens. A standard font included in most softwares and computers, Charter is a sturdy-looking font that creates solid, consistent text. When used in resumes, it prides itself most on its legibility and the feeling of reliability its squareness and blunt serifs create.

Cochin is probably one of the thinnest serif fonts made up of consistent strokes rather than strokes of contrasting thicknesses. Its French origins are apparent in its tasteful serifs and very rounded letters that create an illusion of larger spacing than usual. All these features make Cochin a dignified font that will help your resume to appear refined, thought-out and beautifully presented. It’s a strong serif but sophisticated. It also does not take up too much space, so if you’re looking for a serif typeface that fits more on one page, Cochin is the right choice.

19. Calibri

Calibri is not always a popular choice, but up until recently it was the default font used in Word, so its universal origins cannot be ignored. The Microsoft sans serif font is nothing if not understated so is used as the default for many professional situations. According to Wired, in 2023 the US Department of State even threw out the classic serif font Times New Roman to assign Calibri in its place as their default font. Arguably, there is no font choice more secure to use for your resume than the typeface professional enough for the US Department of State.

Want to use more than one font? See our guide to font pairing .

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Get the Creative Bloq Newsletter

Daily design news, reviews, how-tos and more, as picked by the editors.

Mabel is a freelance writer, artist and filmmaker. When she's not writing about the arts industry, books or culture, she's working on writing and illustrating her stories or developing experimental filmmaking projects. Working in journalism, poetry, documentary-filmmaking, illustration and fiction, storytelling is at the heart of what she does. She started writing articles in online magazines when she was seventeen. After training at the BFI Academy and then studying at UAL, she is now continuing to write articles while she works on creating and launching her first books and films.

Related articles

• 2 Nvidia's RTX gaming tech is making digital art easier - but what is it and how can it improve your creativity?
• 3 ZBrush for iPad: everything you need to know
• 4 MSI Titan 18 HX review: the powerhouse laptop that will have gamers drooling
• 5 Making ZBrush for iPad has been "a very monumental, huge task"

How to Set Resume Margins for Easy Readability

Customers Interviewed by:

Resume margins seem like a minor detail, but they play an important role in the overall effectiveness of your resume. 

Why? Because margins frame your resume with necessary white space. This not only enhances readability but also gives your resume a professional look.

If margins are too narrow, your resume can look overcrowded. If they’re too wide, your resume might seem empty.

In this guide, we’ll dive deeper into how to optimize your resume margins for maximum impact and readability.

What is the standard margin size for a resume?

Typically, resume margins are set at one inch on all sides. This size is widely accepted and provides a clean, readable layout that is neither too cramped nor too spacious. 

Here’s an example of a standard resume with one-inch margins on all sides:

One-inch margins also make your resume easy to read for Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS. This is the computer software that most companies use today to collect, sort, and filter the resumes they receive. 

If an ATS has trouble reading your resume, it probably won’t be seen by a hiring manager and you won’t get the job . This is why it’s so important to make sure your resume is ATS-friendly .

Use a resume scanner to ensure ATS compatibility

To see how ATS-friendly your resume is, run it through Jobscan’s resume scanner . It will alert you to any issues, including margin errors, that will prevent an ATS from reading your resume.

You’ll also receive a score that tells you how closely your resume matches the description of the job you’re applying for. The higher your score the more likely you are to get an interview.

Here’s an example of a Jobscan report. This section deals with formatting, including margins:

You can run your resume through Jobscan’s resume scanner for free here .

Customizing resume margins for different industries

Resume margins can vary slightly depending on the industry. Here are some basic guidelines:

Margins for standard professional resumes

In traditional industries like law, finance, or healthcare, stick to the standard one-inch resume margins. This maintains a professional look and aligns with the expectations of these industries. It’s also ATS-friendly . 

Margins for creative resumes

For creative fields such as graphic design, advertising, and digital media, you can experiment with slightly narrower or wider resume margins. This can showcase your design skills, but you must make sure your resume is still highly readable. 

Margins for executive resumes

Executive resumes can benefit from slightly wider margins. This adds a touch of sophistication and provides a clean, uncluttered space to present your experience and achievements. 

Step-by-step guide to setting resume margins

The process of setting resume margins can vary depending on the word-processing software you’re using. 

Here’s a simple guide on how to set or customize margins in various popular word-processing programs.

How to set resume margins in Microsoft Word

• Open your document in Microsoft Word.
• Click on the “Layout” or “Page Layout” tab.
• Click on “Margins” and select one of the preset margin sizes or choose “Custom Margins” to enter specific measurements.
• Ensure that all margins are set uniformly for a balanced look.

How to set resume margins in Google Docs

• Open your document in Google Docs.
• Click on “File”, then “Page Setup”.
• In the Page Setup dialog box, enter your desired margin sizes in the top, bottom, left, and right fields.
• Click “OK” to apply the changes.

How to set resume margins in LibreOffice Writer

• Open your document in LibreOffice Writer.
• Click on the “Format” menu at the top of the screen.
• From the drop-down menu, choose “Page Style” to open the Page Style window.
• In this window, select the “Page” tab to access margin settings.
• Under the “Margins” section, input your preferred margin sizes.
• Click ‘OK’ to save the settings.

How to set resume margins in iWork Pages

• Open your document in iWork Pages.
• Click on the “Document” button in the top right corner.
• Under the “Document Margins” section, use the up and down arrows or input the values directly to set your desired margins.
• Ensure consistency across all sides for a professional look.

Beyond margins: Comprehensive resume formatting

Resume margins are important, but so are other formatting elements. Font style, text alignment, and spacing also contribute to the readability and visual appeal of your resume.  

Read more : Avoid These ATS Resume Formatting Mistakes

Choose the right font style and size

Select a resume font that is professional and easy to read. Classic choices like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri in a size between 10 and 12 points work well. 

The font size for your name and section headers can be slightly larger to draw attention to them.

Align your text properly

Align your text to the left. This is the most readable and standard alignment for resumes. It’s also the most ATS-friendly resume format.

Centered text can be used for your name and contact information at the top, but avoid using it for large sections of text.

Avoid justifying text on your resume as it can create irregular spacing between words, making it harder to read.

Optimize your paragraph and section spacing

Keep your paragraph spacing consistent. A good practice is to use single spacing for your content with an extra space between each section. This will differentiate your resume sections without causing clutter.

Avoid headers and footers, as some ATS systems have trouble reading them.

Determine how long your resume should be

If you have less than 10 years of experience, aim for a one-page resume. If you have extensive experience or technical qualifications, a two-page resume will probably be needed.

The most important thing when writing your resume is make sure that you include everything relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Use bullet points effectively

Use bullet points to list your achievements and responsibilities. Bullets are easier to skim and highlight your accomplishments more effectively than dense paragraphs. 

Keep your bullet points brief and start each one with strong action verbs .

Use an online resume scanner

You can make sure your resume is formatted correctly and ATS-compatible by running it through an online resume scanner. 

Jobscan’s resume scanner not only checks your margins and other formatting, but it also analyzes your resume against the job description to ensure it contains relevant keywords and phrases. 

This is crucial because ATS often rank resumes based on the presence of specific job-related keywords.  

Here’s an example of a report produced by Jobscan’s resume scanner:

According to this report, the job seeker should try to add the skills “Compliance Policies,” “Direct Management,” and “Health Information Technology” to their resume to have the best chance of getting an interview.

But don’t lie. Only add skills that you actually have.

Advanced tips for resume presentation

Your resume shouldn’t just list your work experience and skills ; it should also be visually appealing and easy to read. 

Here are some advanced tips for enhancing the presentation of your resume while still keeping it ATS-friendly:

• Use Color : Using color on your resume is fine for ATS, as long as it’s used sparingly. For example, only use color for your name and section headings. 
• Be consistent : Your headings, date formatting, bullet points, margins, and spacing should always be consistent. This conveys a sense of professionalism and attention to detail.
• Use standard section headings : To avoid confusing the ATS, stick to conventional headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.”
• Keep it simple : Steer clear of graphics and images since ATS systems might have trouble reading them. 
• Use an ATS-friendly resume template : Templates take a lot of the guesswork out of creating your resume. Simply add your information to template and you’re done. 

Use Jobscan’s free ATS-friendly resume templates and start building your resume that gets noticed by recruiters!

Resume margins for printing

Your resume margins should look just as good printed on paper as they do on your computer screen.

Here are some tips for making sure your printed resume is visually appealing and easy to read: 

• Use a standard paper size : In the United States and many other North American countries, the standard paper size is 8.5″ x 11” (also known as letter size). 
• Test print your resume : This will help you catch any issues with resume margins, fonts, or layouts that might not be apparent on a computer screen. 
• Check for consistent margins : After printing, make sure your resume margins are consistent on all sides. 
• Check every page : If your resume is more than one page, check that the margins and layout are consistent on every page. 
• Use high-quality paper : A slightly heavier paper than standard printer paper will give your resume a more professional feel.

Key takeaways

• Resume margins are crucial for readability and professionalism. They frame the content and affect the overall appearance.
• The typical resume margin size is one inch on all sides, striking a balance between readability and space. This size is also compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
• Stick to one-inch resume margins for traditional industries like law, finance, or healthcare. Margins on creative resumes can deviate slightly from this rule, but readability must be maintained.
• Choose professional, readable fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Font size should be 10-12 points. 
• Align text to the left for readability and ATS compatibility. Avoid justifying your text as it can create unwanted spaces between words. 
• Use color sparingly, avoid graphics and images, and consider using ATS-friendly resume templates .
• When printing your resume, use standard paper size (8.5″ x 11” in the U.S.) and always test print to check margins and layout.

The standard margin size for a resume is one inch on all sides.

In MS Word: Go to the ‘Layout’ tab, click ‘Margins’, and select your desired size. In Google Docs: Click ‘File’, then ‘Page Setup’, and set your margins under the ‘Margins’ section.

No, it’s best to left-align your text. Justified text can create uneven spacing between words, making it harder to read.

Yes, you can slightly increase the margins, but avoid making them too wide. It’s better to add more relevant content to fill the space.

Yes, resume margins do matter. ATS systems can misread resumes with very narrow or very wide margins. Stick to standard margins for better compatibility.

Resume margins should generally be around one inch on all sides, providing a clean and professional layout.

Keeping resume margins at no more than an inch ensures a balanced amount of white space and text. This makes the resume more readable and aesthetically pleasing, while also being compatible with ATS.

Additional resources

• How to Write an Effective Resume Summary
• Free Certifications to Add to Your Resume
• The Best Resume Builder That Is Actually Free

Make your resume stand out and get noticed

Upload your resume to see what’s missing and get a free match rate.

View full results and optimize your resume

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

Related Articles

September 10, 2024

September 9, 2024

August 28, 2024

August 27, 2024

August 22, 2024

August 16, 2024

Join 2 million job seekers who get bi-weekly job search tips

Get insider knowledge and ready-to-use job-seeking tips and hacks delivered to your inbox.

• Knowledge Base
• Free Resume Templates
• Resume Builder
• Resume Examples
• Free Resume Review

Which font should you use on a resume?

If you are struggling with this question, you have landed on the right platform.

Here we will guide you in choosing the best fonts for your resume to ensure that you craft your language with a durable visual form.

A resume without a legible font is almost not worthy to the recruiter. So should be of primary concern to improve the readability of the text.

A resume follows the same line as writing a research paper for your school. You put together a cohesive story with no spelling or grammatical errors and a readable resume font size .

Always remember that a hiring manager must go through many resumes in a day.

Hence, it becomes very crucial to present your resume with a professional yet appealing approach. You can do it by selecting the best resume fonts 2022 based on the answers to the following questions:

What's the Best Resume Font & Size?

• What are the best 14 fonts in a resume in 2022?
• What fonts to avoid adding to a resume in 2022?
• What are the differences between Serif vs. Sans Serif fonts?

Should You Use Pairing Fonts in Resume?

It's an open secret that hiring managers take 7.4 seconds to review a resume. And within this limited time, you have to pursue the hiring manager to read your resume.

The font you pick for the resume dramatically impacts how the recruiters will perceive your resume.

Font Size of Resume

Ideally, the font size of a resume must be within 10 - 12 points.

If you are writing the resume header, then the font size can be 14-16 points , but not more than that.

If you can fit your resume content on one page, then you can use sans-serif font at 10 points, but not less than that.

Characteristics of Best Font on Resume

Different fonts can effectively change the perception of a recruiter about a candidate. Here are some of the characteristics of an ideal font for a resume and cover letter.

• Bold : Boding is helpful if you want to draw the attention of the reader to some specific words or phrases.

For example, if you have a work experience section, you can use the bolding to highlight statistics specifically.

Brainstormed sales strategy while improving conversion rate by 20%

Italics are suitable for supporting text, such as dates and names of honors.

For example:

summa cum laude & magna cum laude

• Underline: It's advisable not to use any underline in your resume or cover letter.

However, you can underline hyperlinks such as your LinkedIn profile, GitHub link, or email Id.

• Font Color:

For consistency and professionalism, it's best to use a primary color as the font color, such as black.

However, if you have a duel-tone design in your resume, you can use other complimentary colors in the resume font.

• Line Spacing:

Make sure to keep the line spacing between 1.0 - 1.5 points. No less than that.

Top 14 Best Resume Fonts

Here are the top 10 best resume fonts in 2022

1. Helvetica

This is a Swiss sans-serif font licensed by Linotype. A lot of professionals rank Helvetica as the most beautiful sans-serif font. Thus, making it the best sans-serif font 2022 as it is sure to divert the recruiter's attention to your resume.

Why use it?

• This typeface has clean lines and exceptional clarity.
• It gives a contemporary look to your resume.
• It has a neo-grotesque typeface.
• Even prominent corporate logos like (BMW and Microsoft) use it.

Roboto is a less-similar resume font alternative to Helvetica created by Google and available for use openly!

This is a classic serif font choice. It does not compromise on modern digital formatting.

• It uses thicker strokes.
• Designed to create more clarity on a computer screen.
• Looks the same whether you are viewing a Word document or a PDF.
• The New York Times uses this font, and many big corporations, such as Yahoo, Amazon, and Twitter too!

Georgia's popularity may make it difficult for your resume to stand out.

It has been the default Microsoft Word font since 2007. Calibri even won the Type Directors Club's TDC2 2005 Type System award.

• Calibri is an excellent choice because of its familiarity.
• It is easy on the eyes.
• Reader can swiftly read through it.
• It has a warm and soft character.
• Renders correctly when opened.

Calibri's widespread use makes it a ' lazy ' option. But it maximizes relatability, skipping dated serif fonts. It is not as decorated as others.

Google created Carlito as a metrically compatible font match to Calibri. It is open source!

Lato is a sans-serif corporate font! This is a dual-natured font with some unique traits at larger sizes.

• It was created to look neutral in body copy.
• It comes in a wide range of weights and styles.
• It is called a serious but friendly font!

Lato is not a standard Microsoft Word font. It might not load in some systems.

Open Sans is a great alternative for Lato. It is one of the most popular fonts on the web. It is openly available and can be used commercially!

5. Gill Sans

A sans-serif typeface which is London's corporate font!

• Makes your resume look both classic and modern.
• It is used widely across the British Railways system, by the BBC, and elsewhere in the UK.

Cambria is one of the most popular resume fonts used in the industry. It's a serif counterpart to the Calibri font.

Why it's used?

• It looks clean and professional
• It's available on both Microsoft and Google Docs
• Source Serif Pro and ITC Charter font can be used as an alternative to Cambria font.

Noto is created to be used in every available language out there. And since it's clean and easily available, it's a great choice for adding to a resume, especially if you want to add a non-Latin alphabet.

8. Garamond

A Garamond font is a mix between traditional serif font and modern designs. On top of that, this font looks elegant and professional and is a great choice to add to a formal resume.

The Verdana font is elegant yet soft font. Microsoft created it to be a counterpart of the Georgia font.

Why is it better?

• It has a soft feel to it, making the reader feel very comfortable.
• The size of the font is also very small, which makes it good for resumes with a lot of content

10. Trebuchet MS

The trebuchet MS font is created for Microsoft. It's not an all-purpose font. You can get the most out of this font if you add it to the resume header since these are sharp fonts.

If you are looking for alternatives, you can use Fira Sans and Allerta instead of Trebuchet MS.

11. Book Antiqua

This is one of the traditional fonts you can find out there, which is still in use widely in professional documentation.

• Book Antiqua font is classy, professional, and easy to read
• Book Antiqua font is free to use.
• It's easily available on most platforms

Tahoma font was released from Windows 95, and since then, it has become a favorite for professionals in the last 25 years.

Why it is used?

• It has a technical vibe, making it best for technical and senior resumes.
• It's now available for most platforms.
• It can be used as an alternative to Ariel and Verdana.

Didot is a serif font with a classy and professional look. Because of its upscale look, it's best to use in fashion and photography-related resumes.

It's good for the resume body, but the delicate Didot font shines at the large size. So it's best to use the Didot font in the resume headings.

13. Constantia

Constantia resume font is designed to look good on a computer monitor while remaining applicable on paper.

So if you are applying online and sending your resume via email, you can use the Constantia font to impress the recruiters.

Avenir is a very clean and crisp font that gives a resume a modern look. It has multiple weights that you can use to differentiate between headings and body or highlight some parts of your experience.

Also Read: How to choose a Cover Letter font in 2022?

Serif or Sans-Serif for resume?

Many people confuse between a Serif font and a Sans-Serif font. To keep it simple, Serif and Sans-Serif are twins with the former one with little spikes coming out of his head.

Here we are going to give you a group of best fonts for resume which will help you in selecting the best font for resume to make your resume stand out.

What is a serif font?

Serifs are the little lines at the end of each stroke in a letter. They originated in Roman antiquity and are comparably out-dated from similar sans-serif counterparts.

What is a sans-serif font?

Sans-serif fonts do not have the lines at the end of each stroke. They appear fresh, modern, and good for resumes.

What are the best resume fonts 2022?

Which are the best resume fonts 2022 in serif? Which is the best font for resume in sans serif?

Serif fonts are easier to read. The little brush strokes on each letter help our brain in faster reading.

But, sans-serifs are used as best resume fonts for their contemporary look. They integrate seamlessly with modern resume designs.

Also Read: What are the most common resume mistakes in 2022?

Fonts to Avoid in Your Resume

Some resume fonts must be avoided at all costs. They leave a wrong impression on the employer. You should not risk your job for the sake of a wrong font choice!

Here we discuss top 5 worst fonts for resume 2022:

1. Comic Sans

This font is too comical to be put in a resume. It destroys the seriousness of the resume.

This is the most overused font. Choosing it is a lazy choice. This might mean that you did not put much thought or effort into your resume.

3. Times New Roman

This is the most surprising font on the list. It is simple because it is used so widely! It will not help your resume stand out. It will make it boring and safe .

This is a big and bold font. The font is simply too much for a professional document. It is not easy on the eyes!

This font simply replicates the look of a typewriter . Also, it has a monospaced typeface which looks absurd for the whole page of text.

Now the problem here is which font with the best resume font size 2022 to choose out of a serif or sans serif for resume. To make your resume appear visually stimulating , you can pair two fonts on a resume.

The best font pairs agree with each other. They work together in harmony and do not fight the recruiter for attention.

Pair fonts on your resume using this checklist:

• Differentiate headings and sections from the main resume content.
• Increase the text size, use bold, and pair the fonts together.
• Choose two contrasting typefaces like a standard script with a cursive script, or sans-serif with serif.
• Use one for the main content , and the other for larger elements, such as the name and section headings .

Use the best serif font 2022 along with the best sans serif font 2022 Example: Georgia and Calibri, Helvetica and Calibri.

Frequently Asked Questions

How small should font size be on resume.

Hiring managers and recruiters typically spend only a few seconds glance at each resume before shortlisting or rejecting it. So choose a font size between 10 and 12 to ensure that he/she does not have to squint to read the information on a resume.

How to Choose a Resume Font?

Choose one of the fonts mentioned above and print out a copy of your resume to ensure that the font style and size you have chosen is apt and making the document look tidy. If it doesn't suit try to change the font style.

Key Takeaways

Selecting a suitable font for your resume is not an easy task. Your selected resume font must be easy to read and look elegant to grab the recruiter's attention.

You can follow these guidelines while selecting your resume fonts and outlining your resume in 2022:

• Choose Helvetica, Georgia, Calibri, Lato, or Gil Sans fonts for your resume
• Adjust the resume font size based on the headings and details
• Avoid using Arial, Times New Roman, Courier, Impact, and Comic Sans fonts in your resume
• Always choose Bold over Italic to highlight information in your resume

These points will help you use the best resume fonts 2022 appropriately to grab the recruiter's attention.

You can use Hiration's 360-Degree Career Platform with 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related requirements.

You can also write to us at [email protected] and we will make sure to reach out to you as soon as possible.

Share this blog

Subscribe to Free Resume Writing Blog by Hiration

Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox

Stay up to date! Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox

Is Your Resume ATS Friendly To Get Shortlisted?

Upload your resume for a free expert review.