The best font for a resume is a clean, widely installed typeface that stays readable at 10 to 12 points. Calibri, Arial, Garamond, Georgia, Cambria, Helvetica and Times New Roman all qualify. If you are wondering what font should a resume be, the short answer is to pick one of those, use it consistently, and let your content do the talking.
What font should a resume be? What recruiters and software need
A resume is read two ways: by a person who may spend only a short time scanning it, and often first by applicant tracking software (ATS) that converts the file to text. Both favor simple, standard fonts.
- Readable: clear letterforms, open spacing, no decoration.
- Common: installed on most computers, so nothing swaps unexpectedly when someone opens the file.
- ATS-friendly: ordinary text with standard characters. Fancy script faces and symbol fonts can turn into garbled text when parsed.
Note that ATS behavior varies by vendor, and the font itself is rarely the issue; layout is. Tables, text boxes, columns and graphics cause more parsing trouble than any typeface. Embedding the font in a PDF generally keeps it looking right, but when a job posting asks for a Word file, send a Word file.
Best fonts for a resume
| Font | Type | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Calibri | Sans serif | Soft, compact and familiar; long the default in Microsoft Word |
| Arial | Sans serif | Neutral and available everywhere |
| Helvetica | Sans serif | Crisp and modern; standard on Apple devices, with Arial as the usual Windows stand-in |
| Garamond | Serif | Elegant and a little small on the line, so you can often go up a point |
| Georgia | Serif | Designed for screens, with generous letter shapes |
| Cambria | Serif | Sturdy and made to hold up in print and on screen |
| Times New Roman | Serif | Safe and traditional, though it can feel dated |
Sans serif or serif?
Either is fine. A sans serif reads as modern and straightforward, which suits tech, marketing and startups. A serif reads as traditional and polished, which suits law, academia, publishing and finance. If you are not sure, Calibri or Georgia will not raise eyebrows. Learn more in our guide to what a serif font is.
Fonts to avoid on a resume
- Comic Sans and similar casual faces: they undercut a serious tone. See why in our comic fonts collection, which is fun for other uses.
- Script and calligraphy fonts: hard to read and sometimes poorly parsed.
- Decorative and display fonts: save them for posters; browse decorative fonts for those projects.
- Anything you have to download for the reader: if the recipient lacks it, the file will substitute another font and your layout can shift.
How to choose and set your font
- Decide the tone. Modern and direct, pick a sans; classic and formal, pick a serif.
- Use one font family. Create hierarchy with bold, size and spacing instead of mixing many typefaces. If you pair two, make it a serif and a sans.
- Set the body text. Stay in the usual range; see what font size a resume should be for exact numbers.
- Keep formatting simple. Use bold for job titles and company names, regular for descriptions, and avoid underlining everything.
- Print or preview. Export to PDF, zoom out, and check whether the page looks organized at a glance.
- Check the file name and format. Follow the application instructions; if none are given, a PDF is usually safe.
A note on defaults and fonts you may see
Microsoft changed the Office default font from Calibri to Aptos in 2023, according to Microsoft’s announcements. That means newer Word templates may open in Aptos. It is a clean sans serif, but it may not be installed on older systems or in other applications, so if you want maximum compatibility, choose Calibri, Arial or Georgia manually. You can read how Word handles fonts on Microsoft Support.
If you are a designer or applying to a creative role, you have more freedom. A portfolio-style resume can use a distinctive headline font, as long as the body text remains plain. Look through modern fonts for ideas, and check the license of any font before you use it in something you distribute widely.
Quick recommendations by situation
If you are still undecided, use this list as a tiebreaker. Whatever you choose, open the final file on a second computer or phone before you send it, so you know the fonts and spacing hold up.
- Corporate or finance: Times New Roman, Cambria or Georgia.
- Tech or startup: Calibri, Arial or Helvetica.
- Academic CV: Garamond or Times New Roman.
- Creative field: a plain body font with one styled name or heading.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best font for a resume?
There is no single winner, but Calibri, Arial, Georgia and Garamond are consistently safe, readable choices.
Is Times New Roman acceptable for a resume?
Yes. It is readable and universally installed, though some people find it dated. Georgia or Cambria give a similar serif feel with a fresher look.
Are serif or sans serif fonts better for ATS?
Neither is inherently better. ATS software reads text, not style. Standard fonts and a simple single-column layout matter more.
Can I use more than one font on my resume?
You can, but keep it to two at most, such as one for headings and one for body text. One family with bold and size changes is usually enough.
Should I send my resume as a PDF or Word file?
Follow the employer’s instructions. When none are given, a PDF keeps your fonts and layout intact, while a Word file is sometimes requested for ATS uploads.
