How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

A cover letter should usually be a single page with three or four short paragraphs. It should include an introduction, one or two body paragraphs, and a brief conclusion. Most recruiting experts also say that 300–400 words is the ideal cover letter length.

The purpose of a cover letter is to help recruiters quickly learn why you’re uniquely qualified, so the right cover letter length is crucial. A cover letter that’s too long can overwhelm busy recruiters, who typically receive hundreds of applications for each opening. If a cover letter is too short, you might be missing details that will help you stand out.

To learn more about how to write an effective one-page cover letter, follow the tips and examples below. QuillBot’s free Paraphraser Mobile App for Android can also help you describe your qualifications in a concise and effective manner.

How long is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a single page and about 400 words unless the job posting says otherwise. Always check the job posting for details about whether a cover letter is necessary or special requirements for the cover letter format and length (e.g., a suggested word count). Usually, a cover letter needs the following components on one page.

Heading 

Write your name in bold and/or in a larger font, centered on the first line. In the center of the second line, in the same font as your letter’s prose, put your city, state, email address, phone number, and a permalink to your LinkedIn profile. Your full street address is not advisable for privacy purposes.

Date

Write the month, day, and year so that the recruiter knows when you submitted the application (e.g., “January 29, 2025”).

Greeting

Begin with “Dear” and then add the recipient’s full name (if you know it) or a general title (e.g., “Dear Recruiting Team” or “Dear Hiring Manager”). Don’t write “Dear Sir or Madam,” which is outdated. Salutations (e.g., “Ms” and “Mr”) are unnecessary if you’re using someone’s full name. Place a colon or comma at the end of the greeting.

Introduction

In about three sentences or 75 words, start a cover letter with the job title you’re applying for, a main reason why the company appeals to you, and a one-sentence claim about why you’re an ideal fit.

Body paragraphs

In one or two body paragraphs or about 200 words, elaborate on the main reasons you’re an ideal fit. This can take different forms, but two common approaches are as follows:

• One body paragraph for each qualification or area of expertise
• One body paragraph about qualifications and another about your interest in the particular company

Whichever approach you take, include keywords from the job posting (just as you would for the hard skills on a resume) and highlight achievements (e.g., a time when you improved sales, exceeded expectations, etc.) that aren’t already on your resume.

Conclusion

The last paragraph of the cover letter is about three sentences or 50–75 words. First, restate your main claim (e.g., “With over a decade of classroom and leadership experience, I’m confident that I will excel as your arts curriculum coordinator”). Then, include a “thank you” and an invitation to contact you for an interview.

Signature

End a cover letter with a complimentary close (e.g., “Best regards”) and your full name.

Tips for the ideal cover letter length

The following tips can help you ensure that your cover letter includes the right information in a single page.

Check the length requirements

Many job postings include details about how long a cover letter should be. If the posting specifies 500 words, for example, your letter can exceed a page as long as it stays within that word count. If the posting doesn’t specify a required length, stay within a single page or 300–400 words.

Most word processors have word count tools to help you stay within the required range. Microsoft Word shows the word count in the bottom left corner. To check your word count in Google Docs, open the “Tools” menu in the top toolbar, and select “Word Count.”

Use a readable font size

Always use a font that’s reader friendly, such as 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Arial. If the first draft of your cover letter exceeds a page, trim extra words or unnecessary content rather than choosing a font size that’s too small. The wrong font size can decrease the chances that the recruiter will read the whole letter.

Write concise body paragraphs

To keep your cover letter within a page, write body paragraphs that are concise and focused.

As a general rule, each body paragraph should include the following:

• A topic sentence that introduces the qualification or area of expertise that will help you succeed at the job
• One or two ways that the qualification improved working conditions, profits, employee morale, productivity, etc. at your last place of employment
• Brief explanation about why those achievements are relevant to the requirements on the job posting

If your body paragraphs run long, look for content that repeats the same information from your resume. For example, if you see a full sentence that summarizes a position and job title, revise it to a phrase that introduces another sentence. In some cases, you can actually give more information with fewer words.

Trim excess words

Another way to achieve a one-page maximum is by trimming wordy phrases, such as the following:

• “I believe that” or “I think”
• “As you can see on my resume”

These words take up valuable space that you can use for details and examples instead. You can also edit sentences with passive voice (e.g., “The system I designed was used to … ”) to active voice (e.g., “Our team used this system to … ”).

Frequently asked questions about cover letter length

How long should an electronic cover letter be?

An electronic cover letter should be about 300 words long. When you’re attaching a cover letter to an email or uploading it to an applicant tracking system, the cover letter length should be a maximum of one page.

Within a single page or 300–400 words, the cover letter should have a heading, greeting, introduction, one or two body paragraphs, a conclusion, and a signature.

When you’re editing a cover letter, QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you achieve the ideal length.

How long should a cover letter be for an internship?

A cover letter for an internship should be the same length as a cover letter for any other type of job. The ideal cover letter length is a single page with 300–400 words or three to four paragraphs.

In the one-page cover letter for the internship, include a heading, greeting, introduction, one or two body paragraphs, a conclusion, and a signature.

In the body paragraphs, explain why your coursework or previous work experience qualifies you for the internship.

When you’re revising and editing a cover letter for an internship, QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you use concise and effective word choices.

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.

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.