How to Format a Cover Letter for UK Jobs in 2025

The cover letter functions as your initial handshake with potential employers. You must first set up the proper cover letter format to make a good impression.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to format a UK cover letter, including fonts, margins, and spacing tips. You’ll also find a sample cover letter to help you craft your own. Let’s get started!

Use the LiveCareer cover letter builder and your cover letter will write itself. Choose a professional template, answer a few easy questions and the creator will generate a professional cover letter for you with just one click.

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Looking for more cover letter tips or need help with a different type of letter? Check out these guides:

• Acceptance Letter Writing Guide
• How to Write a Motivation Letter
• How to Write a Resignation Letter
• How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter
• Recommendation Letter in the UK

Cover letter format for UK jobs—example

Now, let’s break down the key elements of cover letter formatting in detail.

What's the proper cover letter format in the UK?

The proper cover letter format in the UK includes the following key elements:

• The header with your name, address, phone number, and email.
• Current date and the recipient's details such as name, job title, company name, and address.
• Greeting and introductory paragraph featuring a brief introduction.
• Body paragraphs highlighting your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements.
• Closing paragraphwith a CTA used to summarise your key points, express your enthusiasm for the position, and indicate your desire for an interview.
• Sign-off with a professional closing, your full name, and an optional electronic signature.

Here are the steps to structure your cover letter the right way:

1. Start your cover letter with a professional header

The cover letter header carries your personal information. At the top of your cover letter, include the following information:

• Full name: Make this the most prominent part of your header using a larger, bold font.
• Phone number: Ensure it’s up-to-date and easy to read.
• Email address: Use a professional email like firstname.lastname@email.com.
• Online profile (optional): Add a link to your LinkedIn or professional website. 

This is the only part of your cover letter that should be right-aligned.

Next, address the cover letter to the recipient. Include the date, followed by the employer’s details in this order:

• Hiring manager’s name (if known)
• Company name
• Company address

Cover letter format in the UK: sample header

2. Address the cover letter with the right salutation

Addressing the recruiter by name is an easy and effective way to personalise your cover letter. Marketing research shows that 80% of customers are more likely to purchase a brand that provides personalised experiences. This works for job applications too, as it shows that you’ve taken the time to tailor your letter of application instead of using a generic cover letter template.

Use a simple “Dear [Hiring Person's name or surname]” for best effect. Avoid vague phrases like “Dear Sir/Madam” and “To Whom It May Concern.”

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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3. Introduce yourself in the first paragraph of your cover letter

The first paragraph should span about 40–80 words. Start the cover letter by specifying the role you’re applying for, followed by a brief summary of your years of experience and area of expertise. Back that up with your most impressive achievement that is relevant to the employer's needs or requirements. Use a tone of voice that expresses genuine excitement for the position.

Format for a cover letter in the UK: opening example

4. Use the main body of the cover letter format to present your achievements

This will be the longest section of your cover letter. Mention 2–3 of your most relevant work achievements that align with what the employer is seeking in the job ad. Quantify them if possible to provide hiring managers with a clear picture of your professional impact and to give context to your CV.

Remember, creating strong accomplishment statements is vital. Emphasise the unique qualities that make you an ideal candidate for the specific position and company. You can present your achievements in bullet points or naturally weave them into the second paragraph of your letter. These statements not only strengthen your application but also provide excellent talking points during a job interview, helping you confidently showcase your value to potential employers.

The ideal length for the main body of a cover letter is around 100–200 words, and should focus on:

• Relevant skills
• Work experience
• Key achievements

Cover letter format example—main paragraph

5. Add a sign-off and a call to action to your cover letter

To end your cover letter on a high note, reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and express your willingness to discuss things further. Mention specifically:

• How your skills, experiences, and values align with the needs, mission, and vision of the company. This is known as a cultural fit.
• Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration.
• Finish with a call to action that invites the employer to contact you for an interview.

The final part of the cover letter format should reinforce your readiness to discuss how your unique qualifications make you a valuable asset to their organization. Finish with “Sincerely, [your name].”

Formatting a cover letter for UK jobs: closing paragraph example

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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Extra tips for a successful cover letter

When formatting a cover letter, following proper guidelines is key to making a great first impression. Here are 5 tips to help you present a polished, professional cover letter:

1. Choose a clean, professional font

Stick with standard, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana. Avoid fancy or decorative fonts, as they can distract from your content and come across as unprofessional.

The font size should be between 10.5 and 12 points—large enough for easy reading, but small enough to keep your letter concise and polished.

2. Pay attention to margins and spacing

For the best appearance, set your margins between 0.5 and 1 inch on all sides. Adjusting margins slightly is fine if you need extra room, but be careful not to make your letter look cramped or overly spaced out.

Use single-line spacing for the body of your letter, with blank lines between sections for better readability. This will create a well-structured letter that hiring managers can quickly skim.

3. Keep it brief and focused

Your cover letter should be concise—no longer than one page, ideally around 250–400 words. Focus on the key aspects of your experience and how they match the job requirements. Leave out unnecessary details to keep the letter direct and engaging.

If you need help maintaining the proper structure, using a professional cover letter template can be a game-changer.

4. Save and submit in the right format

When sending a digital copy of your cover letter, PDF and DOCX are your safest options.

• PDF preserves the formatting exactly as intended and ensures consistency across devices.
• DOCX is also acceptable, especially for simple CV layouts. Just make sure your formatting looks clean when viewed on different devices.

5. Give your file a clear, professional name

Before submitting your cover letter, name your file appropriately. Include your full name, job title, and “cover letter” to make it easy for hiring managers to identify. Avoid using spaces—opt for underscores or hyphens instead. Here’s a good example: Jane_Doe_Project_Manager_Cover_Letter.pdf.

How to format an e-mail cover letter

Many cover letters are sent via email, which requires a few key adjustments. First, decide whether to attach it as a PDF or paste it into the email body. Both approaches have their pros and cons:

• Attachment: Save your letter as a PDF to preserve formatting. Name it clearly (e.g., Smith_CoverLetter.pdf) and mention it in the email body with a note like: “Please find my CV and cover letter attached.” However, be aware that the attachment may be overlooked if the recruiter skims the email or faces technical issues.
• Email body: If you paste the cover letter into the email, start with “Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],” without including the header or date. This forces the reader to see your message immediately. However, make it short and scannable because people tend to skim emails.

Here are some more email cover letter format tips for both situations:

• Subject line: Use a clear, professional subject line, such as “[Position Title] Application – Your Name.” Include a job reference number if mentioned in the job posting.
• Be direct: Get straight to the point. Introduce yourself, highlight key achievements, and request an interview.
• Proofread thoroughly: Spelling mistakes or formatting errors can hurt your chances. Ensure your email looks polished.

How to format a cover letter with no experience

When you lack direct experience, focus on transferable skills, education, and enthusiasm for the role. Highlight relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, and personal projects to demonstrate your potential. Sprinkle key skills throughout your letter to align with the job description.

Standard cover letter rules still apply: keep it to one page, use a clean font, and follow a clear structure. Tailor your letter to the job, emphasising how your unique background can contribute to the company’s success.

A cover letter alone simply won’t be enough—you need an impactful CV, too. Create your CV in minutes. Just follow our wizard and fill in every CV section with ready-made content. Get started by choosing a professional CV template.

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And that’s the answer to how to format a cover letter. Do you have any more questions on the UK cover letter format? Any tips for making a successful cover letter format for a job application? Let us know in the comments below!

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

• Litmus, State of Email Report 2021
• University of Dundee, Preparing for a job interview