Your resume is often the first impression a hiring manager has of you. It tells your story, highlights your skills, and communicates your professionalism. While content is the foundation, design choices—such as font style and font size—play an equally critical role in how your resume is perceived.
One of the most common questions job seekers face is: What font size should a resume be? The answer involves a careful balance between readability, space management, and style. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the ideal font sizes, recommended fonts, and formatting strategies to ensure your resume makes the right impact.
Why Font Size Matters in a Resume
Font size isn’t just about aesthetics; it directly influences whether your resume is easy to read. Recruiters typically spend only 6 to 8 seconds scanning a resume. If your text is too small, they may skip key details. If it’s too large, it may look unprofessional or inflate your experience artificially.
The right font size ensures:
Readability – Clear, legible text that’s easy to scan.
Professionalism – A polished and consistent look.
Balance – Enough white space to avoid clutter.
ATS Compatibility – Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can easily process your resume.
Standard Resume Font Sizes
The generally accepted font size for resumes falls within the 10–12 point range. Here’s a breakdown:
10 pt – Minimum acceptable size; best for resumes with extensive experience.
11 pt – Balanced size that combines readability with space efficiency.
12 pt – Standard professional size; excellent for one-page resumes with limited text.
Headings and Sections
For headings, slightly larger sizes (13–14 pt) can be used to distinguish sections like Education, Experience, or Skills. Bold or all caps can enhance visibility without making the text oversized.
Best Fonts for Resumes
Font size works hand in hand with font choice. Some fonts look smaller or larger even at the same point size. Here are popular and ATS-friendly options:
Serif Fonts – Times New Roman, Georgia, Cambria.
Sans-Serif Fonts – Arial, Helvetica, Calibri, Open Sans, Verdana.
Mode Professional Fonts – Garamond, Lato, Tahoma, Trebuchet MS.
Avoid overly decorative fonts like Comic Sans, Papyrus, or script fonts. These can make your resume appear unprofessional.
How to Choose the Right Font Size for Your Resume
Choosing the right font size depends on several factors:
Length of Your Resume
If you have a one-page resume with less content, a 12-point font ensures it doesn’t look empty.
If you have extensive experience, use 10 or 11 points to fit content without reducing readability.
Type of Font
Some fonts, like Calibri, appear larger at the same size compared to Times New Roman. Test readability on both screen and print.
Target Industry
Creative industries allow more design freedom, so you may choose slightly larger fonts with unique styling.
Corporate jobs often expect conservative formatting (11–12 pt, simple fonts).
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Always choose ATS-friendly fonts and avoid symbols or unusual characters. Font size should remain within the standard range.
Practical Resume Formatting Tips
Consistent Spacing – Use at least 0.5–1 inch margins.
Line Spacing – 1.0 to 1.15 spacing ensures clarity.
Section Titles – Keep bold and slightly larger, but avoid going beyond 14 pt.
White Space – Leave enough blank areas to improve scannability.
Bullets – Use simple circles or dashes; avoid decorative symbols.
Examples of Font Size in Practice
Imagine you’re designing a resume:
Name/Header: 14–16 pt (Bold).
Section Headings: 12–14 pt (Bold or Caps).
Body Text: 10–12 pt.
Contact Info: 10–11 pt.
This hierarchy ensures your name and sections stand out, while body text remains professional and easy to read.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using a font smaller than 10 pt – Hard to read and may frustrate recruiters.
Oversized fonts – Anything above 12 pt for body text can look childish or like you’re “stretching” content.
Inconsistent sizing – Switching between multiple font sizes makes your resume look sloppy.
Too many font types – Stick to one or two fonts at most.
Digital vs. Printed Resumes
Keep in mind that resumes are often read digitally before being printed. Always test how your chosen font and size look on both screens and paper. What looks fine on your laptop may appear too small on a recruiter’s mobile device.
Final Thoughts
So, what font size should a resume be? The ideal range is 10–12 pt for body text, with headings slightly larger at 12–14 pt. This balance ensures clarity, professionalism, and compatibility with both human readers and ATS systems.
A resume is not just a summary of your work history—it’s a marketing document. Choosing the right font and size is part of presenting yourself in the best light. Keep it simple, readable, and consistent, and your resume will stand out for the right reasons.
Remember: recruiters spend seconds scanning resumes, so every design choice matters. By sticking with standard fonts, proper sizing, and clean formatting, you maximize your chances of leaving a strong first impression.