Cover Letter Format | Template & Example
A cover letter is a one-page letter you send to a potential employer when applying for a job. The purpose of a cover letter is to complement your resume by introducing yourself and explaining why you are the ideal candidate for the role.
When writing a cover letter, it’s important to keep your content as concise and engaging as possible. It’s also important to use a good cover letter format so that your letter makes a great first impression.
Cover letter format includes two elements:
- The sections to include in the letter
- The look of the cover letter (font, spacing, etc.)
What to include in a cover letter
Before getting into what to include in a cover letter, understand that a cover letter is not a resume. While a resume lists your full experience, qualifications, and education, a cover letter does not.
A cover letter briefly explains why you are a great candidate for a job. Therefore, cover letter length should be one page maximum (unless the job posting specifically asks for more).
Since you’re working with limited space, focus on your most relevant experience or qualifications and why you want to work for the company.
| What to include | Example |
|---|---|
| The header includes your name and contact information to show hiring managers how to get in touch with you. Your street address is usually unnecessary, but your city and state are important for roles with residency requirements. | Olivia Carter Seattle, WA olivia.carter@email.com (555) 234-7890 |
| The date shows when your letter was sent. | January 1, 2025 |
| A salutation greets the reader. Address your cover letter using the recipient’s full name and avoiding courtesy titles like Mr. and Ms. If you have to address the cover letter without a name, use a title or team instead. Follow the salutation with a comma or colon. | Dear Daniel Mendoza, |
| An introductory paragraph starts a cover letter by stating who you are, what appeals to you about the role, and why you’re an ideal fit. | Great UX isn’t just about looks—it’s about making technology effortless. That’s what I do. With a passion for intuitive design and a strong background in user research, I am eager to create seamless digital experiences that align with EverTech’s innovative approach to technology. |
| One or two body paragraphs elaborate on what experience, skills, and qualifications make you a great fit for the role. | As a UX Designer at Horizon Apps, I led the redesign of a mobile banking platform, cutting user friction and boosting engagement by 30%. The result? A smoother experience and fewer support tickets.
Beyond design, I bring strong research, prototyping, and front-end collaboration skills. I’m fluent in Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD, and I work closely with developers to ensure designs translate seamlessly to code. My approach is data-driven, balancing creativity with user insights to create interfaces that don’t just work—they feel intuitive. |
| A conclusion paragraph ends the cover letter by restating your main claim, expressing your enthusiasm, and offering a call-to-action for the reader. | Evertech is shaping the future of user-centered tech, and I’d love to be part of it. Let’s connect—I’d be happy to share how my skills can support your team. |
| The complimentary close signs off in a polite way. Follow it with a comma. | Regards, |
| Your name acts as a signature, endorsing your letter (modern cover letter format does not require a signature). | Olivia Carter |
See below for a full example of a good cover letter format.
How to format a cover letter
After you draft what to include in your cover letter, you have to format it correctly to ensure it’s professional and readable.
Cover letter font
Use a clean, reader-friendly font for your cover letter. Some good options are:
- Arial
- Calibri
- Times New Roman
- Georgia
- Garamond
- Helvetica
- Cambria
- Trebuchet MS
Avoid fonts that are unprofessional or overly ornate (e.g., Comic Sans, Courier, and Papyrus).
Cover letter font size
Cover letter font size should be between 10–12 points, depending on font face and cover letter length. Your name can be slightly larger (12–14 points) to help it stand out.
Avoid choosing a small font size solely to make your cover letter fit on one page. This can make it difficult to read and leave a bad impression.
Cover letter spacing
Cover letters should be single spaced, 1.15-spaced, or at most, 1.5-spaced. Play with spacing and see which makes your cover letter format look the cleanest.
Add extra line breaks between different elements. For example, leave an extra blank space between your salutation and introductory paragraph.
Cover letter margins
Use standard 1-inch margins on all sides for cover letters.
If strictly necessary, you can use 0.75-inch margins, but avoid making them smaller than this, as it will make your letter look cluttered. Also avoid using different margins for the top/bottom and left/right.
Cover letter file name and type
Unless the job posting requests a different format, save your cover letter as a PDF. This will preserve your cover letter format across different devices and programs.
When saving your cover letter, name the file clearly and professionally. Imagine being a hiring manager—who may receive hundreds of cover letters for one role—and having to wade through documents with names like “coverletter.”
Instead, use file names like:
- Olivia-Carter-Cover-Letter.pdf
- Olivia_Carter_UX_Cover_Letter.pdf
- Olivia-Carter-Letter-UX.pdf
Email cover letter format
If you’re sending your cover letter via email, there are a few changes you can make to your cover letter format:
- Use a clear subject line similar to how you would name a cover letter file (e.g., “Cover letter for UX Designer Role – Olivia Carter”).
- Use the default margins, font face, and font size of your email client.
- Skip the header and date and start from the salutation. Include your contact information at the end, below your name.
Whether you send your cover letter as a PDF or as an email, you should always review it carefully to make sure it doesn’t have any grammar or spelling errors.
QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help you do just this.
Cover letter example
This cover letter is a fictitious example, but it can help you get an idea of how a finished cover letter with a good cover letter format should look, although margins may appear smaller than they would in a word processor.
Remember that a street address isn’t usually necessary, and city and state are only necessary when companies are looking for regional applicants.
Nathan Kim
Denver, CO 80203
nathan.kim@email.com
(555) 678-1234
February 1, 2025
Dear Sophia Martinez,
Clean energy needs compelling storytelling, and I thrive on turning complex sustainability solutions into messages that inspire action. With a background in content marketing, SEO, and performance analytics, I specialize in crafting campaigns that educate, engage, and inspire action. I’m excited by the opportunity to apply for the Marketing Specialist role at GreenFuture Energy and make its sustainable solutions more accessible to the public.
At BrightLeaf Solar, I developed data-driven campaigns that increased customer inquiries by 40% and helped launch a new residential product line.
Beyond strategy, I collaborate closely with designers and developers to ensure seamless user experiences and high-impact messaging. My approach is both analytical and creative—grounded in data but designed to resonate.
I’d love the opportunity to bring this expertise to GreenFuture Energy and help grow its impact. I look forward to speaking with you about how I can contribute to your team.
Best,
Nathan Kim
Frequently asked questions about cover letter format
- What is a salutation?
-
A salutation is a greeting (e.g., “Hello” and “Good morning”).
In writing, a salutation is the opening of a letter. Salutations are used in formal letters, informal letters, and emails, although they may look a bit different depending on the context.
For example, “Dear” is a good salutation to address a cover letter to a hiring manager or recruiter. Cover letter format recommends using the salutation, the person’s full name, and a comma or colon (e.g., “Dear Tessa James:”).
In an email to a friend, “Hi” may be a more appropriate salutation (e.g., “Hi Jim,”).
QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can make sure your salutations are free of spelling errors.
- What is a complimentary close?
-
A complimentary close comes directly before your signature and/or name in a letter (e.g., “Sincerely yours,”). They’re usually followed by a comma.
If writing a formal letter, check for any guidelines about how to sign off. For example, modern cover letter format says to follow your complimentary close with a comma and typed name, but other types of letters may require a signature.
Choose a complimentary close that’s appropriate for the tone of your letter. For example, “See you soon” is fine in an email to a friend, but isn’t appropriate for a cover letter, where “Best regards” is a better option.
A QuillBot grammar check can make sure your complimentary close is spelled correctly.
- Should cover letters be double spaced?
-
No, cover letters shouldn’t be double-spaced. A cover letter is a type of formal or semi-formal letter, and double spacing is not necessary.
Standard cover letter format calls for single spacing, except when you need an extra space between elements (e.g., between the salutation and first paragraph).
Remember to review your document layout and content before sending a cover letter.
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you make sure your cover letter is free of spelling and grammar errors.
- What is the best font for a cover letter?
-
A cover letter is your chance to make a good impression on a potential employer. Both content and cover letter format are important.
The best fonts for a cover letter are fonts that are professional, legible, and familiar to the majority of readers. A few of these are:
- Arial
- Times New Roman
- Georgia
- Garamond
- Calibri
- Helvetica
No matter how good the font, your cover letter won’t make a good impression if it has grammar and spelling errors, so use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to make sure your cover letter is error-free.
