Your resume might have the greatest achievements and a list of experiences to share, but it could still get rejected.
Want to know why? This can happen because of a bad font.
According to research, more than 40% of recruiters are instantly turned off by unnecessary design elements such as hard-to-read fonts.
These small details matter the most when it comes to capturing the attention of the hiring managers.
So if you are an experienced individual or a fresh graduate, choosing the best font for CV is necessary.
But with so many options available, which is the right one? Which would instantly impress the ATS and the recruiter? Keep reading to know more!
Best Fonts For Your Resume
Your resume is one of the most important documents of your career. It decides whether you will make progress in your career or not.
But candidates often forget one thing when they are crafting their resume.
The font! The truth is, the best font for CV will have two traits: simplicity and readability. A clear font prevents the recruiter from getting distracted.
Take a look below at the most used fonts by a professional CV writer,
Two Broad Categories Of Fonts
Before diving deeper into the types of fonts, it is better to understand their two categories. Sans-serif fonts and serif fonts. The table below will summarize the key differences between them.
| San-serif fonts | Serif fonts |
| These are modern fonts offering smooth and clean lines on their edges. | These are traditional fonts that have details such as decorative strokes on their edges. |
Fonts belonging to both categories work for generating a professional look whether it is an engineering cover letter and a cleaning CV.
However, the right choice depends on the type of industry you have applied for and the final appearance of your document.
Popular Types Of Fonts To Boost The Readability Of Your Resume
Did you know that approximately 78% of hiring managers expect a cover letter to accompany a resume?
This means that your primary focus shouldn’t only be on the font of your resume, but on cover letter writing as well.
Moreover, a readable font means that your cover letter and resume will be easily interpreted by the applicant tracking systems.
So let’s take a look at some of the most famous font choices for your resume and cover letter in 2025,
Arial
In 2023, Arial was voted to be the best font for resume 2025 according to the hiring managers. It is a sans-serif font and gives a professional and polished look on any device.
Times New Roman
Times New Roman is said to be one of the most traditional font styles. This serif font has been used since 1931. It gives a classic look and looks better on paper instead of screens.
Helevetica
Helvetica is another best font for a CV that gives a professional and sophisticated look to important documents. This font is mostly used by brands to set their brand identity.
Helvetica is not available for Microsoft users, and only Mac users can avail this font. However, Microsoft has Arial, which appears similar to this font.
Calibri
Calibri is a clean font with rounded edges. This sans-serif type is the default font of Microsoft and the best font for resume in Word. It is known for its sleek and versatile look on every medium.
Lato
Lato features semi-rounded letterforms, which lend it a perfect blend of a professional yet friendly look. The subtle curves provide a modern look that complements a wide range of professional documents.
Georgia
Georgia is especially designed for computer screens. This font works great for web content and professional documents as well. The thick letter forms and their rounded edges combine to give a traditional yet elegant look.
Cambria
Cambria works great on-screen as well as in print. It offers ample space between letters, leading to enhanced readability even in smaller sizes. It offers a classic yet modern look that works for various professional documents and makes it the best font for cover letter.
Trebuchet MS
Trebuchet MS has open letter forms with unique shapes that add a spark of creativity while conveying your message. Moreover, it has a slightly narrow appearance, which makes it great for resumes that have a lot of information to share.
Garamond
While planning the cv layout for students, many CV writers find a lot of information. In this case, Garamond is another font that uses less space on your resume due to its thin appearance. It offers a well-polished and distinct look, which is appropriate for many professional fields.
Book Antiqua
Book Antiqua gives a classic and refined in your documents. It gives a professional and elegant look, which offers a smooth reading experience to the recruiter.
Resume Fonts According To The Industry
Depending on your industry, you can choose the following fonts,
| Industry | Best resume fonts |
| Corporate, finance, law | Times new roman, cambria |
| Tech, marketing | Arial, Tahoma |
| Design, media | Garamond, Georgia |
| IT and Data analysis | Sans-serif fonts like Helvetica, Verdana |
| Writing | Times New Roman, Garamond |
| Fashion | Lato, Saira |
How To Choose The Font Size For A Resume
Font size matters when it comes to resumes. You need to ensure that a consistent font size is used throughout your document.
Moreover, you need to ensure that the font size adjusts your words perfectly in the resume. This will ensure readability while eliminating the chance of a cluttered look.
Take a look at the standard font sizes for different sections of a resume and cover letter font size and spacing.
| Header | 28 to 35 point size |
| Sub-headings for sections | 14 to 16 point size |
| Body text | 10 to 12 point size |
FAQS
1.Should I use Calibri or Arial for a resume?
Arial and Calibri are both contemporary fonts that give a professional and legible look to your resume. Arial is known for its straightforward and clean appearance, which works best for various media, whereas Calibri is known for its sleek design and warm appearance, particularly on screens and prints.
2. What is the best font to use in a CV?
There is no single best font when it comes to choosing one for a CV. Calibiri, Arial, Cambria, Helvetica, and Georgia are some of the most used fonts in resumes. All of them are clean, readable, and ATS-friendly fonts that ensure that your resume is easy on the eyes of the hiring managers.
3. Sans Serif Vs. Serif Font for my Resume – Which Should I Choose
If you are submitting a digital resume for modern, tech, and creative industries, use sans-serif fonts for better readability. However, if you are applying for a traditional industry that requires a print resume, a serif font will be a better choice for enhancing readability.
Wrapping Up
Fonts are one of the most important considerations when writing a resume and a cover letter! Remember, you need to submit something that can be easily read by both the recruiter and the ATS systems.
Ensure that you avoid using overly decorative fonts and select one from the guide that perfectly matches your industry. The above-mentioned fonts are a great choice to hook the recruiter on your resume and cover letter, so don’t forget to select the best font for CV.