The golden rule: one page, maximum
In almost every case, a cover letter should not exceed one page — roughly 250 to 400 words, or three to four short paragraphs. This isn't an arbitrary standard; it's the result of decades of hiring practice. Recruiters read dozens to hundreds of applications per role and expect a compressed, to-the-point message. A cover letter that sprawls across two pages signals a lack of prioritization more than thoroughness. As a rule of thumb: if you find you're not filling the page, that's not a problem — a concise half-page letter with strong arguments always beats a full page padded with filler sentences.
Structure and paragraph layout
A well-structured cover letter breaks into four to five clearly defined paragraphs: an opening that references the specific role, one or two body paragraphs covering your most relevant qualifications and achievements, an optional short paragraph on cultural or professional fit with the company, and a closing with a clear call to action. Avoid paragraphs longer than five or six lines — long blocks of text look daunting on screen or paper and often get skimmed rather than read. Short, focused paragraphs, each carrying one clear point, increase the odds that the entire letter actually gets read.
Font, font size, and margins
Formatting standards mirror those of a resume: a clean, professional font such as Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica at 11 to 12 point size for body text. Line spacing should sit between 1.0 and 1.15 — enough white space for readability without artificially stretching the letter. Margins of roughly 1 inch (2 to 2.5 cm) on all sides keep the layout balanced and uncluttered. Stick to a single font throughout the document and skip decorative elements like borders or background colors — a cover letter should win on content, not design. Always export the finished document as a PDF so formatting stays identical across devices.
When one page isn't enough — the exceptions
In a few cases, running slightly longer is acceptable. For executive or leadership roles, or positions with highly specific technical requirements, a cover letter that goes marginally past one page can be justified if every additional sentence adds real value. Academic applications (such as a statement of purpose for a research position) sometimes call for longer formats too — but these usually come with their own stated requirements in the posting, which should be followed strictly. For a speculative application, where you need to convince a company of a need it hasn't advertised yet, slightly more context can also make sense. Still, the exception remains the exception: for the clear majority of applications — from entry-level to specialist roles — one page remains the standard target.
In short
Keep your cover letter to one page maximum (250–400 words), structure it into four to five short paragraphs, use 11–12 point font with a clean layout, and export it as a PDF. Only executive roles, academic applications, or speculative applications justify running slightly longer.