How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

A cover letter should be about half a page to one full page long, which is roughly 250 to 400 words split into three or four short paragraphs. That is enough space to say who you are, prove you can do the job, and ask for the next step, without making the reader scroll or squint.

So how long should a cover letter be in practice? Short enough to read in under a minute, and specific enough that the reader remembers you. Below is the full breakdown, paragraph by paragraph, plus a quick note on formatting so your letter looks the right length too.

What is the ideal cover letter length?

The target is one page, never more. Most strong letters land between 250 and 400 words. On a screen or printed page, that fills roughly half a page to a full page with normal margins and font size.

Why one page? Because hiring managers read a lot of applications, often quickly. A one-page letter respects their time and shows you can make a point without padding. A two-page letter signals the opposite, and much of it will go unread.

Think of the length as a container. You are not trying to fill the whole page. You are trying to fit the right things in and cut everything else.

Paragraph-by-paragraph breakdown

Here is how those 250 to 400 words spread across the letter:

• Opening (2 to 3 sentences). Name the exact role and give one specific reason you fit it or admire the company. This is your strongest line, so do not waste it on "I am writing to apply."
• Body paragraph 1 (3 to 5 sentences). Give proof. Pick one achievement or skill from the job post and show a real result. Numbers help, like "cut support tickets by 30 percent."
• Body paragraph 2 (optional, 2 to 4 sentences). Add a second proof point or explain something your CV cannot, such as a career change. Skip this paragraph if you have already made your case.
• Closing (2 to 3 sentences). Thank the reader, say you would welcome a conversation, and end with a clear call to action. Keep it warm and brief.

That is three or four paragraphs total. If you find yourself writing a fifth, something can probably be cut.

How many words should a cover letter be?

Aim for 250 to 400 words. Here is a simple way to think about the range:

• Under 150 words: usually too thin. You have not given enough proof, and the letter reads like a note.
• 250 to 400 words: the sweet spot. Room for one strong opening, one or two proof points, and a clean close.
• Over 400 words: getting long. It may still fit one page, but the reader starts to skim. Trim the weakest sentences.

Word count is a guide, not a rule. A tight 240-word letter beats a padded 390-word one every time. When in doubt, cut. Read every sentence and ask, "Does this help the reader see I can do the job?" If the answer is no, delete it.

Does the type of job change the length?

A little, but less than people think. The one-page limit holds almost everywhere.

For an entry-level role or a quick online application, aim for the shorter end, around 200 to 300 words. You have less history to cover, so a short, focused letter looks confident rather than empty.

For a senior role or a formal industry like law or academia, you can use the fuller end of the range, closer to 350 to 400 words, because there is more experience to connect to the job. Even then, stay on one page.

If you are stuck on the words themselves, our free cover letter generator drafts a first version at the right length, and you edit from there.

Formatting and spacing affect the length too

Length is not only about word count. How the letter looks on the page matters just as much.

Use a clean, readable font at 10.5 to 12 point size. Keep margins between 1 inch and 0.75 inch on all sides. Add a blank line between paragraphs instead of indenting, so the letter breathes and stays easy to skim.

Left-align your text. Do not stretch a short letter with huge spacing to look "full," and do not shrink the font to cram in extra lines. If the letter runs a few lines onto a second page, cut words first, then tighten margins, in that order. For the full structure, see our guide on how to write a cover letter.

Key takeaways

• Target half a page to one full page, about 250 to 400 words. Never go past one page.
• Use three or four short paragraphs: an opening, one or two proof paragraphs, and a short close.
• Under 150 words is usually too short, and over 400 starts to crowd the page and lose the reader.
• Go shorter for entry-level or quick applications, and use the fuller range for senior or formal roles.
• Formatting counts: readable font, clear margins, and a blank line between paragraphs make the right length look right.

Once your cover letter is the right length, make sure your CV matches it in quality. You can build your CV free and pair it with a focused letter using our free cover letter generator in minutes.