Cover letters should be 250-400 words, fitting on half to one page with 3-6 paragraphs (4 optimal). Research from ResumeGo analyzing over 1,200 applications found that 250-400 word cover letters received 53% more callbacks than shorter or longer versions. Additionally, 82% of HR professionals recommend keeping cover letters under one page. The goal is demonstrating fit, not recounting your entire career.

This guide covers optimal cover letter length for every situation in 2026.

Cover Letter Length Guidelines

The 250-400 Word Sweet Spot

Why This Range Works

Respects reader time: Recruiters review hundreds of applications. A 300-word cover letter takes about one minute to read.

Allows meaningful content: You can cover your value proposition, one or two key accomplishments, and express genuine interest.

Demonstrates judgment: Brevity shows you understand professional communication and can prioritize information.

Word Count by Paragraph

Standard 3-paragraph structure:

Opening paragraph (~50-75 words)
Body paragraph (~100-200 words)
Closing paragraph (~50-75 words)
Total: ~200-350 words

4-paragraph structure:

Opening paragraph (~50-75 words)
Body paragraph 1 (~75-100 words)
Body paragraph 2 (~75-100 words)
Closing paragraph (~50-75 words)
Total: ~250-350 words

Entry-Level Cover Letters

Word Count: 150-250 Words

Challenge: Limited experience to discuss Solution: Focus on potential, enthusiasm, and relevant skills

What to Include

Opening (50 words):

• Position you’re applying for
• How you learned about it
• One sentence on why you’re excited

Body (100-150 words):

• Relevant coursework or projects
• Internship accomplishments
• Transferable skills from other experience
• One specific achievement with a result

Closing (50 words):

• Reiterate interest
• Availability
• Thank you

Entry-Level Example Length

A strong entry-level cover letter might look like:

• Greeting: 3 words
• Opening paragraph: 45 words
• Body paragraph: 120 words
• Closing paragraph: 40 words
• Sign-off: 5 words

Total: ~213 words — perfectly acceptable

Mid-Career Cover Letters

Word Count: 250-350 Words

Advantage: Concrete accomplishments to highlight Challenge: Selecting which achievements to include

Structure for Mid-Career

Opening (50-75 words):

• Current role and company type
• Why this opportunity interests you
• Brief value statement

Body paragraphs (150-200 words):

• 2-3 specific, quantified achievements
• Direct connection to job requirements
• Evidence of skills mentioned in posting

Closing (50-75 words):

• Summary of fit
• Call to action
• Professional sign-off

Selecting Content

Include achievements that:

• Relate directly to the job posting
• Include measurable results
• Demonstrate required skills
• Are recent (last 5-7 years)

Skip:

• Achievements already in resume (unless elaborating)
• Unrelated accomplishments
• Generic responsibilities

Senior and Executive Cover Letters

Word Count: 300-400 Words

Why longer is appropriate: Senior roles require demonstrating leadership impact, strategic thinking, and cultural fit—topics that need more space.

Senior Cover Letter Structure

Opening (75 words):

• Executive-level positioning
• Strategic interest in the role
• High-level value proposition

Body (200-250 words):

• Leadership accomplishments with metrics
• Strategic initiatives and outcomes
• Team or organizational impact
• Industry expertise relevant to role

Closing (75 words):

• Vision alignment
• Availability for discussion
• Professional close

What Senior Letters Should Emphasize

Focus on:

• Revenue/growth impact
• Team building and leadership
• Strategic decisions and outcomes
• Board or stakeholder relationships
• Industry transformation experience

Tech Industry Cover Letters

The Shorter-is-Better Culture

Tech startup preference: Under 200 words Why: Fast-paced culture, portfolio/GitHub speaks louder

Tech Cover Letter Strategy

Ultra-short format (100-150 words):

Brief introduction
Why this company specifically
One technical highlight
Link to portfolio/work
Close

When longer works in tech:

• Senior engineering roles
• Engineering management positions
• Non-technical roles at tech companies
• Enterprise/established tech companies

Sample Tech Cover Letter Structure

Hi [Name],

I'm a [role] with [X years] experience in [relevant technology].

[Company name]'s work on [specific project/product] caught my attention because [genuine reason].

At [Previous Company], I [one specific accomplishment with metric].

My work is at [portfolio link]. Happy to discuss how I can contribute to [specific team/project].

Best,
[Name]

Word count: ~75-100 words

Career Change Cover Letters

Word Count: 300-400 Words

Why longer: You need space to explain the transition and connect transferable skills.

Career Change Structure

Opening (75 words):

• New direction and why
• Genuine interest in the field
• Brief background context

Body (200-250 words):

• Transferable skills with evidence
• Relevant preparation (courses, projects, volunteer work)
• How previous experience adds value
• Address the transition directly

Closing (75 words):

• Commitment to the new field
• Enthusiasm for learning
• Request for conversation

Addressing the Elephant

Don’t avoid the career change—address it:

• “After 8 years in marketing, I’m transitioning to UX design because…”
• “My background in finance gives me a unique perspective for product management…”

Cover Letter Formatting Impact

How Formatting Affects Length Perception

Factors that affect page coverage:

• Font size (10.5-12pt recommended)
• Margins (0.75-1 inch standard)
• Line spacing (1.0-1.15)
• Paragraph spacing

Standard Formatting

Professional standard:

• 11pt font (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman)
• 1-inch margins
• Single spacing within paragraphs
• One blank line between paragraphs

At this formatting: ~300 words = approximately 3/4 page

When to Adjust Formatting

If letter looks too short:

• Don’t pad with fluff—add substantive content instead
• Consider if you’re missing relevant accomplishments
• Slightly larger font (11.5pt) is acceptable

If letter looks too long:

• Cut less relevant content first
• Reduce margin width slightly (0.75")
• Use 10.5pt font if needed

What Each Paragraph Should Accomplish

Opening Paragraph

Word count: 40-75 words Purpose: Hook the reader, state intent, show fit

Elements:

• Specific position title
• How you found the opportunity (if notable)
• One compelling reason you’re a fit

Avoid:

• Generic openings (“I am writing to apply…”)
• Lengthy company praise
• Your entire background

Body Paragraph(s)

Word count: 100-200 words total Purpose: Prove your value with evidence

Elements:

• 2-3 specific achievements
• Quantified results when possible
• Direct connection to job requirements

Avoid:

• Repeating your resume verbatim
• Vague claims without evidence
• Unrelated accomplishments

Closing Paragraph

Word count: 40-75 words Purpose: Call to action, professional close

Elements:

• Summary of enthusiasm
• Clear next step request
• Thank you

Avoid:

• Desperation (“I need this job”)
• Arrogance (“You’d be lucky to have me”)
• Passive voice (“I hope to hear from you”)

Industry-Specific Guidelines

Finance and Consulting

Expected length: 250-350 words Tone: Professional, metrics-focused Emphasis: Quantified achievements, relevant credentials

Healthcare

Expected length: 300-400 words Tone: Professional, mission-driven Emphasis: Certifications, patient outcomes, compliance

Creative Industries

Expected length: 200-300 words Tone: Conversational but professional Emphasis: Portfolio link, creative approach, cultural fit

Nonprofit

Expected length: 300-400 words Tone: Mission-aligned, passionate Emphasis: Values alignment, impact, volunteer experience

Academia

Expected length: 400-600 words Tone: Formal, detailed Emphasis: Research, teaching philosophy, publications

Common Length Mistakes

Too Short (Under 150 Words)

Problems:

• Appears low-effort
• Misses opportunity to differentiate
• May suggest lack of interest

When acceptable:

• Tech startups (if quality is high)
• Internal applications
• Referral applications where relationship is established

Too Long (Over 500 Words)

Problems:

• Won’t be fully read
• Suggests poor editing skills
• Buries key information

Signs you’re too long:

• More than one page
• Repeating points
• Including irrelevant experience
• Over-explaining obvious qualifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a half-page cover letter too short?

No. A focused 200-250 word cover letter on half a page is perfectly professional for most roles, especially entry-level positions.

Should cover letters always be one page?

Cover letters should never exceed one page. Most should be 1/2 to 3/4 page. A full page is only appropriate for senior roles or academia.

Do hiring managers actually read cover letters?

Studies show 26-50% of hiring managers consider cover letters important. For roles where they matter, quality beats quantity.

Should I match my cover letter length to my resume?

No. Resume length depends on experience; cover letter length depends on what you need to communicate. They’re independent.

Is it okay to write a very short cover letter for tech jobs?

Yes. Many tech companies, especially startups, prefer brief cover letters (under 200 words) that get to the point quickly.

How do I know if my cover letter is too long?

If it exceeds one page, if you’re repeating points, or if you’re including accomplishments unrelated to the job—it’s too long.

Key Takeaways

• Optimal cover letter length: 250-400 words
• 250-400 word cover letters get 53% more callbacks (ResumeGo study)
• 82% of HR professionals recommend under one page
• Structure: 3-6 paragraphs (4 optimal)
• Entry-level: 150-250 words is acceptable
• Tech/startups often prefer under 200 words
• Every word should serve a purpose
• Quality of content matters more than hitting a word count

Conclusion

Cover letter length should match your experience level and industry expectations—but always prioritize quality over quantity. Most hiring managers prefer a compelling 250-word letter over a padded 500-word one. Focus on demonstrating fit through specific, relevant accomplishments rather than comprehensive career histories. When in doubt, edit down. Try our free letter counter → to verify your cover letter hits the optimal 250-400 word range before submitting.