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How long should a cover letter be?
A cover letter should be 250 to 400 words: three or four paragraphs that fit on one page with your contact details. Recruiters often read it in under a minute.
Work it out
Line spacing
pages, single-spaced, Arial 12 pt, about 500 words a page
- Handwritten pages
- 1.6
- Reading time
- 1 min 41 sec
- Speaking time
- 2 min 40 sec–3 min 5 sec
- Typing time
- 10 min
- Paragraphs
- 2–4
- Sentences
- 20–27
- Characters with spaces
- about 2,400
Write it in the word counter with a limit of 400 words.
Open the word counterCover letter in pages and minutes
| Length | Single-spaced | Double-spaced | Reading time | Speaking time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 words | 0.5 | 1 | 1 min 3 sec | 1 min 40 sec–1 min 55 sec |
| 400 words | 0.8 | 1.6 | 1 min 41 sec | 2 min 40 sec–3 min 5 sec |
Estimates for US Letter or A4 with 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins and ordinary paragraphs; reading at 238 words a minute, speaking at 130 to 150.
Four paragraphs
- The role you are applying for and the one reason you are a strong fit (two or three sentences).
- Evidence: a specific achievement that matches the job’s main need, with a number if you have one.
- Why this company: something real about their work, not flattery.
- A short close and a request for an interview.
If the job posting gives a limit, for example in an online form with a character count, follow it: check the count in the character counter.
Common mistakes
- Repeating the résumé. Pick one or two things and tell the story behind them.
- Opening with “My name is”. It is already at the top.
- Going past one page. Long letters suggest you cannot prioritise.
Questions and answers
How many words should a cover letter be?
250 to 400 words.
How many paragraphs is a cover letter?
Three or four.
Is a half-page cover letter OK?
Yes, if it is specific. A strong 200-word letter beats a generic 400-word one.