How Long Should a Cover Letter Be in 2025?

If you’re looking for a perfect cover letter length, you must first understand that a cover letter is not a full biography of your career. Instead, it should act as a compelling snapshot of your most relevant skills, experience and enthusiasm for the role. By being selective and purposeful in what you include, you can craft a letter that supports your CV and encourages the employer to take a closer look.

In this guide, you’ll:

• Understand how long a cover letter should be.
• Realise why that’s the perfect cover letter length.
• Learn how to achieve the right cover letter length.

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Best cover letter length: example

A cover letter should be around 250–300 words. It should fit on one page and, in most cases, feature 3–4 paragraphs. Avoid repeating your resume. When you finish writing your cover letter, save it as a PDF.

Here’s a sample cover letter that’s 260 words, excluding the header: 

As you can clearly see, that cover letter length is perfectly fine to convince a recruiter that you’re the perfect fit.

But why does a shorter cover letter mean a better cover letter?

Recruiters value brevity. Given that an average job opening attracts over 250 candidates, they spend mere seconds looking at one. That’s why a concise, tailored cover letter demonstrates professionalism and makes it easier for them to quickly identify your strengths.

That’s why you should write a focused, compelling cover letter that’s no longer than a page. Remember, this document should only complement your CV and increase your chances of landing an interview, not show your entire work history, all of your key skills, and every detail of your career

You can adjust every cover letter created in the builder to meet the job requirements. Choose the name of your profession and the company to which you’re applying, and the LiveCareer cover letter builder will automatically adapt the content for you. Create a cover letter faster than you ever thought possible and apply for the job in record time.

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How to get the correct cover letter length?

Striking the right balance in your cover letter involves organising your message clearly. There is a straightforward way to do it correctly.

Here are my top 10 tips on how to achieve the perfect cover letter length:

1. Follow the job description carefully

Always check the job advertisement for specific cover letter requirements. Some employers may request answers to specific questions or limit the word count. Tailoring your content to fit these instructions shows attention to detail and professionalism.

2. Start with your contact information

Place your name, email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile at the top, neatly formatted. This section should be brief: one line per detail. Keeping your contact details short helps preserve space for the main content of your letter.

3. Address the recipient properly

To properly address your cover letter, use the hiring manager’s name if you can find it. Research the company’s website, review the job postings, or call the office to ask for a contact name. If this isn’t possible, a general greeting like “Dear Hiring Manager” will suffice. Including the correct name adds a personal touch and shows effort.

4. Structure your paragraphs for impact

Aim for three to four short, well-organised cover letter paragraphs. 

Each should have a clear purpose:

• Opening paragraph (2 to 3 sentences, around 40–60 words): State the position you’re applying for and where you found the listing. Briefly introduce why you’re a good fit.
• Middle paragraphs (120–170 words): Highlight one or two achievements or experiences that align with the job. Keep sentences short and focused.
• Closing paragraph (20–30 words): Summarise your strengths and express enthusiasm for the next steps.

5. Add one or two impactful examples

Share concise and relevant examples of your achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the role. Use a method like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep stories focused and effective. Save detailed accounts for the interview.

6. Use bullet points to save space

Bullet points highlight key accomplishments or skills without overloading your letter. For instance:

This cover letter layout is particularly effective for listing measurable results or technical proficiencies; however, I always recommend opting for bullet points instead of lengthy paragraphs.

7. Include a strong call to action

End with a short paragraph that reiterates your interest and invites the employer to contact you. Mention that your CV is attached and provide your contact information again. Be polite but confident in requesting an interview or discussion.

8. Always thank the reader

A simple thank you goes a long way. It shows respect for the reader’s time and leaves a positive final impression.

9. Add a postscript if you feel like your cover letter could be longer

If you feel like you’ve something awe-inspiring to say, save it for the end and add it to the postscript section. It’s an optional part, but it can leave an extremely positive impression, especially if you feel your cover letter could be slightly longer.

10. Check your cover letter word count

How many words are there in your cover letter? There are a few ways to check your word count, depending on what software or app you’re using. These solutions should cover all bases: 

• In Microsoft Word, press Ctrl + Shift + G on the keyboard—a dialog box will appear with your document’s word count and other details. 
• To see the same in Google Docs, press Ctrl + Shift + C. 
• You can copy (Ctrl + C) your text and paste it (Ctrl + V) into a free online word counter app, such as wordcounter.io, wordcounter.net, or wordcount.com. Note that you need a working internet connection. 

How to make your cover letter shorter?

If your cover letter is running too long, don’t worry: it’s a very common issue, especially when you’re eager to impress your readers. However, remember that hiring managers are unlikely to read a lengthy essay. The goal is to refine your message and keep only what truly matters to the reader.

To reduce the length without losing impact, try the following:

• Remove filler phrases and repetition. Keep sentences tight and purposeful.
• Focus on your top two or three most relevant accomplishments.
• Revisit your letter after a break and cut anything that isn’t essential.
• Ask a friend or colleague to highlight anything that feels unclear or unnecessary.
• Use bullet points to condense your examples and make them easier to scan.
  
  

Trimming your letter is not about saying less, but about saying the right things. A shorter, focused letter demonstrates clarity and professionalism, making it easier for recruiters to engage with your application.

How to make your cover letter longer?

If you’re struggling to reach the ideal length for your cover letter, you’re not alone. This also often happens, especially when you’ve just graduated, are early in your career, or are switching industries. The key is to expand meaningfully by highlighting transferable skills and motivation for the role.

To add relevant content, try these strategies:

• Mention projects, volunteering, internships or coursework that show your capabilities.
• Add detail to your closing paragraph about why the company or role appeals to you.
• Highlight soft skills like teamwork, communication, or problem-solving with brief examples.
• Research the company and identify specific ways you can contribute to its goals.
• Adjust the formatting slightly, if needed (e.g., wider spacing or a broader font, such as Verdana), for printed letters.
  
  

Adding length should always be purposeful. Aim to strengthen your message, rather than meeting a word count. Even a shorter letter can leave a strong impression if it clearly shows your enthusiasm and that you are fit for the role.

Extra tips for achieving the best cover letter length

Here are some additional cover letter tips to keep in mind when preparing your job application: 

• Set one-inch margins on all sides of the page. Narrower margins make the lines of text slightly too long to follow. 
• Use a professional font that’s easy to read and set it to 10–12 points. Try changing the font if your text won’t fit on the page. For example, Arial, Calibri, or Gill Sans are much narrower than Verdana or Georgia. 
• If you’re emailing your cover letter, you can stick to the same structure outlined above. Skip the heading, start from ‘Dear…’, and include your contact details below your signature. 
• Tailor your cover letter to each job opening. Different companies may have varying priorities even when hiring for similar roles. 

• Focus on relevance. Include only the information that directly aligns with the job you’re applying for. 
• Use clearly defined paragraphs and appropriate spacing to ensure your letter is easy to scan. Avoid cramming in too much text. Aim for balance and readability.
• Keep it simple by sticking to plain, straightforward language. Avoid jargon or overly technical terms unless they’re directly related to the role or industry.
• Follow specific instructions. If the employer provides guidance on cover letter content or length in the job description, be sure to follow it. Disregarding instructions can reflect poorly on your attention to detail.

By keeping your message focused and your format professional, you can maximise the impact of your application and make it easier for hiring managers to see why you’re the right fit. 

You don’t have to create any content yourself. The LiveCareer cover letter generator will automatically suggest the best content for your cover letter with ready-made examples and expert tips.

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Want to learn more about writing a cover letter? Visit our other guides:

• How to Write an Acceptance Letter 
• How to Write a Motivation Letter
• How to Write a Resignation Letter
• How to Write a Recommendation Letter
• Cover Letter Examples

Now that you know all there is to know about the correct cover letter length, there’s only one more thing I can say: good luck with your application!

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Sources

• INC: 11 Interesting Hiring Statistics You Should Know
• HR Drive: Eye tracking study shows recruiters look at resumes for 7 seconds
• National Career Services: The Star Method