Cover Letter Formatting: A Complete Guide

Professional Formatting Makes a Difference

A well-formatted cover letter looks professional, reads easily, and demonstrates attention to detail—all qualities employers value. Poor formatting, on the other hand, can undermine even the most compelling content. Follow these guidelines to ensure your cover letter makes the right visual impression.

Standard Cover Letter Layout

Use 1-inch margins on all sides, single spacing with a blank line between paragraphs, and left-aligned text. Your cover letter should include: your contact information, the date, the employer's contact information, a salutation, 3-4 paragraphs of body text, a closing, and your signature.

Font and Size

Use the same professional font as your resume for consistency. Safe choices include Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, or Garamond. Keep the font size between 10 and 12 points—11 is the sweet spot for most fonts. Ensure readability is your top priority.

Length Guidelines

A cover letter should never exceed one page. Aim for 250-400 words or 3-4 paragraphs. Be concise and purposeful—every sentence should serve a specific function. If you can say something in fewer words, do so.

Digital vs Print Considerations

Most cover letters today are submitted digitally. Save as PDF to preserve formatting across devices. Name your file professionally: 'FirstName_LastName_CoverLetter.pdf.' If the application system has a text field for cover letters, paste clean, unformatted text.