Best Font for Resume: ATS-Friendly Fonts & Sizes

Most job seekers choose a resume font based on what looks "cool" or "creative." That's a mistake. The best font for your resume is the one that makes it both readable for robots (ATS) and pleasant for humans (recruiters). A poor font choice can literally make your resume unreadable to the software that decides your fate.

Our AI Resume Builder eliminates the guesswork. It automatically formats your resume with proven, ATS friendly fonts at optimal sizes, ensuring your document passes technical screening while presenting a clean, professional image. This simple optimization is why our users report significantly higher interview callback rates.

Why Font Choice Matters for ATS & Recruiters

Your font isn't just about style; it's a functional element that impacts both machine parsing and human psychology.

Impact on ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)

• Readability: ATS software must accurately convert your resume text into digital data. Uncommon or decorative fonts can corrupt during this parsing, scrambling your information.
• Compatibility: An ATS uses a limited library of standard system fonts. If you use a rare font, the system may substitute it with one that breaks your layout.
• Keyword Recognition: If letters are misread (e.g., a fancy "a" seen as an "o"), your keyword match score drops.

Impact on Human Recruiters

• Readability & Scanability: Recruiters spend 7 seconds on an initial scan. Clean, clear fonts help them find key information fast.
• Professional Tone: Fonts subliminally signal formality (Times New Roman), modernity (Calibri), or approachability (Arial).
• Attention to Detail: Consistent, appropriate font usage signals professionalism and care. Inconsistent or chaotic fonts suggest the opposite.

Top 5 Best Fonts for Resumes (ATS-Friendly)

These fonts are universally available on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, ensuring maximum ATS compatibility and professional appeal.

1. Calibri (The Modern Standard)

Best for: Almost all industries, especially corporate, tech, and marketing.
Why it works: As the default Microsoft Word font since 2007, it's clean, modern, highly readable on screens, and extremely ATS-safe. It’s slightly softer than Arial, making it feel approachable yet professional.

2. Arial (The Universal Workhorse)

Best for: Any industry, maximum ATS safety, and online readability.
Why it works: A sans-serif staple installed on every computer. It's neutral, highly legible at small sizes, and guarantees zero parsing errors. It’s the most "invisible" font—it gets out of the way and lets your content shine.

3. Times New Roman (The Classic Authority)

Best for: Law, finance, academia, and traditional conservative fields.
Why it works: The default serif font conveys formality, tradition, and credibility. It’s densely packed, allowing more text per page. However, it can look dated to some in creative or tech industries. ATS reads it flawlessly.

4. Georgia (The Screen-Friendly Serif)

Best for: Editorial, publishing, education, or when you want a classic feel with better on-screen readability than Times New Roman.
Why it works: Designed specifically for screens, Georgia has thicker strokes and more spacing, making it clearer in digital formats. It offers classic credibility with modern legibility.

5. Helvetica (The Designer's Choice)

Best for: Design, architecture, marketing, and creative fields that value aesthetics.
Why it works: The gold standard of sans-serif fonts in design for its clean, neutral, and timeless look. It’s widely available and ATS safe. (Note: If Helvetica isn't available, Arial is the nearly identical fallback).

Worst Fonts for Resumes (Avoid These)

These fonts will hurt your ATS compatibility, readability, or professional image.

Decorative & Script Fonts (e.g., Comic Sans, Papyrus, Brush Script)

The Problem: They look unprofessional, are difficult to read, and are often poorly parsed by ATS. Comic Sans is famously ridiculed in professional settings.

Monospaced Fonts (e.g., Courier New, Consolas)

The Problem: Designed for code, not documents. They look bulky, waste space, and give a "typewriter" feel that seems outdated unless you're specifically in a technical field where it's a niche expectation.

Ultra-Thin or Condensed Fonts (e.g., some weights of Futura, Roboto Condensed)

The Problem: Legibility suffers, especially when printed or viewed on lower-resolution screens. ATS may struggle with character recognition.

Overused "Trendy" Fonts (e.g., Lato, Open Sans - for resume specificity)

Note: These are excellent fonts for websites. The issue for resumes is they may not be installed on all recruiters' systems. If the system substitutes them, your careful formatting can break. Stick to the universal system fonts listed above for absolute safety.

Optimal Font Sizes for Different Sections

Size hierarchy creates visual structure, guiding the recruiter's eye.

Your Name: 14-16pt

Make it the largest text on the page. It's your personal brand header.

Section Headings (Experience, Education): 12-14pt

Slightly larger than body text, and always use Bold to make them stand out clearly.

Body Text (Job Descriptions, Bullet Points): 10-12pt

11pt is the sweet spot for most fonts—readable without crowding. 10pt is acceptable for dense, experienced resumes. Never go below 10pt.

Company Names & Job Titles: 11pt (Bold)

Differentiate them from your bullet points. Bold the job title, and you can make the company name bold or regular.

Contact Info & Minor Details: 10-11pt

Keep it clean and legible. Don't shrink it to fit more content.

Font Pairing for Resume & Cover Letter

Using two complementary fonts can add sophistication without risking ATS issues. Follow one simple rule: Use only one font family for the resume body, and pair it with a complementary font for your name/headers if desired. For ATS safety, your main content font should always be from the "Top 5" list.

Safe & Effective Pairing Example:

• Resume Body & Cover Letter: Calibri (11pt)
• Your Name & Section Headers: Cambria (14pt Bold for name, 12pt Bold for headers)

Why it works: Both are default Microsoft Office fonts (universally available). Cambria (a serif) for headers provides classic authority, while Calibri (a sans-serif) for body text ensures easy reading. This creates subtle contrast without chaos.

Golden Rule for Cover Letters:

Use the exact same font and size as your resume. This creates a cohesive, branded application package. If your resume is in 11pt Arial, your cover letter should be too.

How to Set Fonts in Word/Google Docs

In Microsoft Word:

1. Select all text (Ctrl+A).
2. Go to the Home tab.
3. In the Font box, choose your font (e.g., Calibri).
4. In the Size box, set to 11.
5. With text still selected, go to Line and Paragraph Spacing and set to 1.15 for better readability.

In Google Docs:

1. Select all text (Ctrl+A).
2. Click the font dropdown in the toolbar and select your font (e.g., Arial).
3. Click the size dropdown and set to 11.
4. Click the line spacing button and select 1.15.

ATS Font Compatibility Guide

This is your technical checklist to ensure font-based ATS success.

DOs:

• Use standard, system-installed fonts (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia, Helvetica).
• Use a minimum 10pt size for all body text.
• Use TrueType (.ttf) or OpenType (.otf) fonts these are standard.
• Use Bold for section headings and job titles for clear hierarchy.
• Ensure your resume passes the "Select All" test if you Ctrl+A, all text should highlight cleanly (no hidden text boxes).

DON'Ts:

• Don't use custom web fonts you downloaded (e.g., from Google Fonts) unless you are 100% certain they will be embedded and preserved in PDF creation (safer to avoid).
• Don't use multiple fonts (more than two). It looks messy and increases parsing risk.
• Don't use Light or ExtraLight font weights, they can disappear when printed.
• Don't rely on font color or styling (like italics) to convey critical information, ATS may ignore it.
• Don't save your resume as an image or scanned PDF the font data is lost, making it unreadable to ATS.

Font Mistakes That Get Resumes Rejected

1. The "Invisible Text" Mistake

Scenario: Using white text on a white background to hide keywords. Or using a tiny font size (e.g., 6pt) to cram in text.
Result: Modern ATS can detect this "font stuffing." It's seen as spammy manipulation and will get your application automatically rejected or blacklisted.

2. The "Formatting Blob" Mistake

Scenario: Using a rare font, then sending the resume as a .docx. On the recruiter's computer without that font, the system substitutes it, breaking alignment and creating a messy, overlapping text blob.
Result: The resume becomes physically unreadable and is immediately discarded.

3. The "Identity Crisis" Mistake

Scenario: Using a playful, casual font (like Comic Sans) for a serious corporate finance role, or a stiff, formal font (like Blackletter) for a graphic design role.
Result: You demonstrate poor judgment and a lack of professional fit before the recruiter even reads a word.

4. The "Consistency" Mistake

Scenario: Using Arial for your experience, Calibri for your skills, and Times New Roman for your education.
Result: The resume looks chaotic and sloppy, signaling poor attention to detail—a major red flag for any job.

FAQ: Resume Font Questions

What is the single best font for a resume in 2025?

Answer: For an all-around, safe, modern, and ATS-guaranteed choice, Calibri 11pt is the best single font for a resume. It's the default for a reason: it's highly readable on screens and in print, works for all industries, and is universally available.

Is Calibri or Arial better for a resume?

Answer: Both are excellent. Calibri has slightly softer, rounder edges and feels more modern. Arial is more neutral and geometric. You can't go wrong with either. Choose Calibri for a slightly friendlier tone, Arial for absolute maximum neutrality and compatibility.

What font size is best for a resume on Reddit?

Answer: The consensus on professional subreddits like r/resumes is clear: 10.5pt to 11.5pt for body text. This range provides optimal density and readability. 10pt is acceptable for very experienced candidates needing to fit content, while 12pt is great for entry-level or to improve scanability.

Should my resume and cover letter have the same font?

Answer: Yes, absolutely. Your resume and cover letter should use the exact same font, size, and header style. This creates a cohesive, branded application package that shows meticulous attention to detail.

What is the best font for a resume in Word?

Answer: The best fonts are already in Word. Use Calibri (Body), which is the default, or choose from Arial, Times New Roman, or Georgia from the standard font dropdown. Avoid downloading new fonts for your resume.

Final Checklist: Is Your Resume Font Perfect?

1. Font Family: Using Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia, or Helvetica?
2. Body Text Size: Set to 10pt, 11pt, or 12pt? (11pt is ideal).
3. Name Size: Is your name 14pt-16pt and bold?
4. Heading Size: Are section headings 12pt-14pt and bold?
5. Consistency: Is the same font used throughout the entire document?
6. Cover Letter Match: Does your cover letter use the exact same font and size?
7. Readability: When printed, is all text clear and dark enough?
8. No Decorative Fonts: Have you avoided script, handwriting, or novelty fonts?
9. File Format: Is your resume saved as a .docx or text-based PDF to preserve fonts?
10. ATS Test: Can you copy-paste all text into Notepad without gibberish?

Published on: [Current Date] | Covers: best font for resume, ATS-friendly fonts, resume font size, font pairing, resume formatting | Reading time: 10 minutes