How long should a cover letter be? one page, three or four paragraphs.
A cover letter is read quickly, often alongside dozens of others. The right length gives your two strongest points room to land without asking the reader for more time than they have.
Keep a cover letter to one page: three or four short paragraphs, roughly 250 to 400 words. Use the same font as your resume at 10 to 12 points, single spacing with a blank line between paragraphs, and margins of 0.5 to 1 inch. If the posting asks for a specific length or format, follow it. Never send a two-page cover letter unless asked.
Illustrative examples to adapt
Illustrative: every name, employer, school, date and number in these samples is fictional or a bracketed placeholder. Replace each bracket with your own true details; never copy a result you did not achieve.
Four-paragraph layout
When to use: Almost any job application.
Dear [Hiring manager's name], [Paragraph 1, two or three sentences: the job you are applying for, where you saw it, and the one-line reason you fit.] [Paragraph 2, three or four sentences: your strongest relevant result, with scale.] [Paragraph 3, two or three sentences: a second result or skill connected to a priority in the posting.] [Paragraph 4, one or two sentences: thanks and a request for a conversation.] Sincerely, [Your name]
Format settings
When to use: Setting up the document.
Font: the same as your resume, [10 to 12 pt] Spacing: single, with one blank line between paragraphs Margins: [0.5 to 1 inch] Alignment: left Length: one page, [250 to 400] words
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Every sample on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Length by situation
| Situation | Length |
|---|---|
| Standard application | 250 to 400 words, one page |
| Email body as the cover letter | 100 to 200 words |
| Online form with a text box | Whatever fits the box; often 150 to 250 words |
| Posting gives a word limit | Follow it exactly |
| Academic or research roles | Often longer, as the posting asks |
The same line, rewritten
Illustrative example with placeholders.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | A two-page cover letter that retells your career from your first job. |
| Strong | A one-page letter with two results that match the posting's top two requirements. |
Why it matters: Length signals judgement. A focused letter shows you can pick what matters for this employer.
Mistakes to avoid
- Writing more than one page.
- Using a smaller font to squeeze more in.
- Double-spacing the whole letter.
- Writing a single paragraph with no breaks.
- Ignoring a word limit in the posting.
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Questions people ask
How many words should a cover letter be?
Can a cover letter be two pages?
What font size should a cover letter be?
Should a cover letter be double spaced?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. Advice is labelled as advice. Every sample uses a fictional person marked '(illustrative)' or a 'Your name' placeholder, and every employer, school, date and result is a bracketed placeholder for your own true details.
- What a specific employer screens for: always read the posting.
- Your results: we never invent numbers, and you should never copy a result you did not achieve.
- Outcomes: no resume, letter or program can promise an interview or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 2, 2026.