What Is the Best Font for an ATS-Friendly CV?

The best CV font is one that remains clear in the final file. There is no magic typeface that guarantees an ATS pass or an interview.

Choose typography to support reading, then check the export. A familiar font used at a comfortable size is usually a more practical choice than an unusual display font selected to make the document distinctive.

Start with legibility

Arial, Calibri and Times New Roman are common options. The UK's National Careers Service recommends clear fonts and a size of at least 11 in its CV guidance. Treat that as a useful starting point rather than a universal employer specification.

Different fonts appear different sizes at the same point setting. Inspect the actual result, especially small numbers, punctuation and similar-looking characters. Your phone number and email should be easy to read without zooming excessively.

Establish a small type hierarchy

Use a larger size for your name, a clear heading style for sections and consistent body text. Bold role titles or employers selectively. Too many variations make the page harder to scan and harder to update.

Avoid using an ornate font for essential information. If you want a distinctive visual identity, restrained colour and spacing can provide it without making the words difficult to interpret.

Do not solve length by shrinking everything

If the CV spills onto another page, remove repetition and irrelevant detail first. Combine overlapping bullets, shorten an overlong summary and reduce detail in older roles where appropriate.

Tiny text may technically fit more information, but it transfers the editing problem to the reader. A concise document should be selective, not merely compressed.

Check font behaviour after export

Open the final file on another viewer or device if possible. Look for changed line breaks, missing characters and substituted fonts. Test links and check whether long headings still fit.

When applying through a portal, use the requested file type and review its preview. The document that reaches the employer matters more than the version that looked correct in your editor.

Keep the content in perspective

A font choice will not repair vague achievements or an unclear target role. Once the document is readable, spend most of your editing time on accurate, relevant evidence. Ask someone to identify what you offer before asking which font they prefer.

Explore free CV resources for a starting structure or request a CV review when you need feedback on both presentation and writing.