Skip to main content

Free Tool

Cover Letter Format & Length Checker

Get a fast verdict on your cover letter's word count, paragraph count, page count, font, and font size. Instant, no signup.

The wrong format on a cover letter gets the same treatment as the wrong format on a resume: skimmed and dismissed. The right length (250-400 words, 1 page, 3-4 paragraphs) and an ATS-safe font are the price of entry. This tool checks both in seconds, no upload required.

How it works

A few steps, no signup

  1. Step 1

    Enter your cover letter's word count, paragraph count, and pages

  2. Step 2

    Enter font name and body-text size

  3. Step 3

    Submit for an instant verdict with reasons

When to use

The right moment

  • Final review before sending a cover letter
  • After template-swapping (templates often use the wrong font or sizes)
  • Comparing two drafts and trying to pick the tighter one

Examples

What you'll get

Tight cover letter

Input: 320 words, 3 paragraphs, 1 page, Calibri, 11pt

Output: Verdict: Format and length are right on.

Common over-long

Input: 640 words, 6 paragraphs, 2 pages, Comic Sans, 10pt

Output: Verdict: Needs format/length fixes — too long, wrong font, too many paragraphs.

What this tool isn't

Honest limitations

  • We don't read your file — you enter the numbers. Use your editor's word-count stat.
  • Norms are 2026 US industry. Federal and academic conventions differ; check those separately.

FAQ

Common questions

How long should a cover letter be?

250-400 words, one page, 3-4 paragraphs. Anything over 500 words rarely gets read; under 200 words doesn't say enough.

Can a cover letter be two pages?

Almost never. Recruiters skim past page one. The only exception is some senior executive applications, and even then 'long' means tight 1.5 pages, not full 2.

What font should I use?

The same ATS-safe fonts you use on the resume: Calibri, Arial, Garamond, Helvetica, Verdana, Times New Roman. Match your resume's font for a clean visual set.

Land more interviews with the full platform

Every tool above, plus AI job matching, one-click resume tailoring, and application tracking. Free to start.