Choosing the Best Font for Your Resume: Make a Great First Impression

Your resume is your initial introduction to a potential employer, so presenting a polished and well-structured document is crucial for securing an interview. While content is paramount, font style significantly impacts readability, perceived professionalism, and how well your resume is processed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

A good resume font is clean, modern, and legible, allowing key qualifications to stand out at a glance. This applies across various job types, from traditional to creative and industry-specific roles. The font choice can indeed influence a hiring manager's perception of your application. This guide explores top professional fonts for resumes, how to select the right one, and key considerations for your decision.

Why Choosing the Right Font for Your Resume Matters

Recruiters often spend mere seconds scanning resumes, making your font choice critical. A clean, professional font enhances readability, highlights important details, and demonstrates attention to detail. Furthermore, using professional fonts aids ATS in accurately processing your application.

Outdated or overly decorative fonts can make your resume appear unprofessional and difficult to read. Selecting a modern, legible, and industry-appropriate font ensures your resume stands out positively.

Best Professional Fonts for a Resume

Here are highly recommended fonts that balance professionalism and readability:

Font Name	Type	Why It's Good for Resumes
Arial	Sans-Serif	Clean, modern, and widely accepted.
Calibri	Sans-Serif	Default in MS Word, highly readable.
Times New Roman	Serif	Traditional and professional, though slightly outdated.
Garamond	Serif	Elegant and well-structured.
Helvetica	Sans-Serif	A sleek and professional choice.
Georgia	Serif	A readable alternative to Times New Roman.
Tahoma	Sans-Serif	Crisp and modern, great for digital resumes.

Fonts to Avoid on Your Resume

Inappropriate fonts can detract from your resume's impact and readability. Avoid these:

• Comic Sans: Too casual and unprofessional for a business context.
• Papyrus: Outdated and difficult to read, especially online.
• Courier New: Simulates typewriter text, appearing outdated and lacking elegance.
• Impact: Heavy and compressed lettering hinders quick scanning.
• Brush Script: Overly fancy and very difficult to read, unsuitable for professional use.

Serif vs. Sans-Serif: Which One is Better for a Resume?

The choice between serif and sans-serif fonts can influence how recruiters perceive your resume. Both have advantages depending on the industry and application format.

Font Type	Examples	Appearance	Best For	Pros	Cons
Serif Fonts	Times New Roman, Garamond, Georgia	Classic, formal, traditional	Law, finance, academia, and other conservative industries	Professional, traditional tone; well-suited for print	May look outdated or harder to read on digital screens
Sans-Serif Fonts	Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, Verdana	Clean, modern, minimal	Tech, design, marketing, and most digital applications	Easy to read on screens; modern and sleek look	Less formal; may be perceived as casual in some industries

Best Choice: While both are acceptable, sans-serif fonts are generally recommended for better readability and ATS compatibility, particularly for online submissions.

How Font Size and Formatting Affect Readability

Appropriate font size and formatting enhance your resume's readability and visual appeal. Proper formatting ensures key information stands out without overwhelming the reader.

• Font Size: Use 10–12 pt for body text and 14–16 pt for section headings to establish a clear hierarchy.
• Line Spacing: Set 1.15–1.5 spacing to avoid cramped or overly spread-out text.
• Emphasis: Use bold or italics sparingly to highlight crucial information.
• Avoid Underlining: It can clutter the layout and be mistaken for a hyperlink, reducing readability.

Well-formatted resumes improve professionalism and ATS compatibility, ensuring your information is easily scannable and understandable.

Tips for Choosing the Best Font for Your Industry

The ideal font often depends on the industry you're targeting, as different fields have varying expectations for professionalism and style.

• Corporate & Finance: Traditional and formal fonts like Times New Roman, Garamond, and Georgia convey reliability and professionalism.
• Creative Fields: Modern and stylish fonts like Helvetica, Avenir, and Lato enhance visual appeal while maintaining readability.
• Tech & Startups: Clean and contemporary sans-serif fonts like Calibri, Arial, and Tahoma reflect innovation and professionalism.
• Academic & Research: Scholarly and authoritative fonts like Times New Roman and Garamond align with traditional academic formatting.

Conclusion

The best resume font is professional, readable, and appropriate for your industry. Sans-serif options like Calibri, Arial, and Helvetica offer a modern and clean look. Serif fonts such as Garamond and Georgia are also viable. Avoid decorative, outdated, or overly stylized fonts that hinder readability and ATS compatibility.

For an optimized resume that effectively passes both human recruiters and ATS, consider using tools like Resumatch.io, which provides resume analysis and building features with professionally curated fonts and styles tailored to specific job descriptions.

FAQs

Q1: Which font is good for a resume in 2025? Answer: Calibri, Arial, and Helvetica are highly recommended for their readability and modern appearance.

Q2: Which font is best for a resume in corporate jobs? Answer: For corporate roles, Times New Roman, Garamond, or Georgia are professional and traditional choices.

Q3: Should I use a serif or sans-serif font for my resume? Answer: Sans-serif fonts like Calibri or Arial are generally better for digital resumes, while serif fonts like Times New Roman may be preferred in academic settings.

Q4: What is the best font size for a resume? Answer: Use 10-12 pt for body text and 14-16 pt for headings.

Q5: Can I use multiple fonts in my resume? Answer: It’s best to stick to one font for consistency. However, you can use bold or slightly larger fonts for headings.

Q6: Is it okay to use decorative fonts on a resume? Answer: No, decorative fonts like Comic Sans, Papyrus, or Brush Script can make your resume look unprofessional.