10 best fonts for your CV with tips
In this article, we discuss the 10 best fonts for your CV with pros and cons, industry-specific advice, ATS guidance, and how Jobseeker's CV builder can help.
Your CV font can make much difference to your chances of success. Some fonts perform better than others with ATS software, and recruiters spend an average of 30 seconds reviewing your CV. As such, the wrong font could mean that your CV is quickly discarded, even if you do have the relevant skills and experience. So which fonts should you use on your CV and which ones should you avoid?
In this article, you'll learn:
- What are the 10 best fonts to use for a CV.
- How to select the most suitable and impactful font for your CV.
- CV fonts to avoid.
- Which fonts work best for CVs for different industry sectors.
What is the best font for your CV?
When choosing your CV font, you'll want to select one that is:
- Clear and readable
- Suits the role and industry you're applying for
There are various popular fonts to choose from, but keeping these two key factors in mind will help you make the right decision. Here's a review of the best fonts to choose for your CV, whatever role you're applying for, with CV examples of each font for comparison:
Font type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
Arial | Easy to read, clean, professional appearance, displays correctly across all platforms and programmes, and has strong ATS compatibility | Overused, and sometimes considered generic, may be perceived as dull or uninspired, neutral style makes less impact when you require a strong brand identity, and can appear outdated compared to some other modern sans serif fonts |
Calibri | Designed specifically for on-screen readability at small sizes, warm, down-to-earth appearance with a less corporate feel, and works well when a modern, understated look and feel is required | Long association with Microsoft Word reduces the overall impact of the font, lacks formality and authority that may be required for professional roles, and rounded letter forms may be too relaxed in appearance for senior level positions |
Garamond | Refined and sophisticated, making it ideal for traditional and academic roles, ideal for longer-form CVs with larger chunks of text, compact letterforms mean you can fit a lot on the page, and well-respected as one of the finest fonts ever designed | Can render poorly on low-resolution screens, making it less ideal for digital-first CVs, may seem old-fashioned for modern or tech industries, less compatible with ATS than some sans serif fonts, and multiple versions of the font can cause compatibility issues and inconsistencies across platforms |
Georgia | A great alternative to Times New Roman, designed specifically for low-resolution screens, making it a strong choice for a digital CV, pre-installed on all major operating systems, avoiding compatibility and consistency issues, and works well at small font sizes, where other fonts such as Garamond can struggle | Can appear clunky in print compared to finer fonts, wide letterforms mean it takes up more space than some other serif fonts, and heavily associated with web and screen use, so can look out of place when printed |
Verdana | Strong on-screen legibility, even at small sizes, open letterforms make it accessible for people with conditions like dyslexia or visual impairments, wide character spacing makes it highly compatible with ATS, and pre-installed on all major platforms, reducing compatibility issues | Take up a lot of space compared to some other fonts, making it less ideal for condensed, concise document length, may appear overly casual or unsophisticated for traditional, formal applications, slightly outdated look and feel, superseded by newer sans serif fonts, and wide spacing doesn't work well for titles and larger font sizes |
Helvetica | Conveys clarity and authority with minimally intrusive design elements, considered one of the clearest, most neutral fonts, highly readable at virtually any size, on screen and in print, and iconic status among typeface experts, designers and creatives | Not pre-installed on Windows, which can cause compatibility issues, can be considered overly neutral and cold, making it less ideal for CVs attempting to convey personality, and some letters and numerals are difficult to distinguish |
Cambria | Provides a bridge between traditional and modern styles, making it ideal for contemporary professional roles, part of the Microsoft font family, making it highly compatible, suitable for formal, senior level and academic applications, and provides a strong alternative to Georgia, Garamond and Times New Roman | Can feel generic owing to its close association to Microsoft applications, less widely used outside Microsoft operating systems, risking substitution, and may appear heavy at smaller font sizes |
Montserrat | Striking visual qualities make it ideal for document headings, large, varied family of fonts with 18 different styles available, available on an open-source licence via Google Fonts, making it highly accessible for on-screen use, and popular in creative CVs looking for a high-impact, modern feel | Uniform, geometric letterforms make it less readable in longer chunks of text, strong visual style makes it less suitable for more traditional professions, not pre-installed on most operating systems, posing compatibility issues, and can be overpowering if used as the sole, or dominant font in a document |
Trebuchet MS | Strikes a good balance between readability and personality, pre-installed on all major operating systems, avoiding compatibility issues, works well for both headings and body text, and readable in extended blocks of text | Some employers may consider it too informal for certain types of application, slightly less refined than some other accessible sans serif fonts, and lacks the design neutrality that could be required for some roles |
Lato | Free, open-source typeface available via Google Fonts, highly readable across screen and print use, at all font sizes, well-balanced design with many variants, making it ideal for headings and body text, and strikes a balance between neutrality and warmth | Very popular, modern font, its ubiquity can lessen its impact, not pre-installed on most operating systems, creating the potential for compatibility issues, subtlety and light weight of its letterforms may lack visual impact, and similar in appearance to various other Google sans serif fonts |
Example of different fonts on a CV
Now that you have an idea of the different fonts you can use, here's an example of how some of them look on the same CV:
CV example with an Arial font
CV example with a Helvetica font
CV example with a Trebuchet font
CV example with a Georgia font
What fonts to avoid on your CV
Now you know which fonts are likely to make the strongest impact on your CV. But which CV fonts are best avoided? Take a look below for guidance:
Comic Sans
Originally designed for comic book lettering, Comic Sans font was never intended for professional use. As such, you should never use Comic Sans for your CV.
Courier
Initially designed for typewriters, Courier can make your CV look old-fashioned. Unless you're going for a retro look with your CV, it’s best avoided. Each letter in the font is spaced evenly, which is not great for readability.
Brush script
It may be tempting to give your CV a personal touch by using a font that gives the impression that it was handwritten. However, Brush Script is difficult to read from a distance and looks a bit dated, which is unsurprising considering it was created in 1942.
To remove any uncertainty about your CV font selection, use a CV builder like Jobseeker. By doing so, you can use professionally designed CV templates and customise the fonts to ensure your CV has an appropriate look and feel for the role you're applying for, while optimising its readability and ATS compatibility. This can help take the pressure off some of your key CV design decisions, so you can focus on nailing the content.
Match your CV and cover letter
Choosing a consistent design between your CV and cover letter can strengthen your application. Review Jobseeker's professional cover letter examples for tips on how to make an impact with yours.
How to select the best font for your CV
For help settling on the most suitable and impactful font for your application, including your CV and cover letter, follow this guide:
1. Select a readable font
Any font that you choose needs to be easily read on a computer or in print. According to research from Jobseeker, recruiters and hiring managers typically only spend around 30 seconds reviewing your CV. This means it's essential to select a font that’s easy to read at a glance, and universal to most computer programmes and printers.
2. Choose between serif and sans serif fonts
There are two main font classifications: serif and sans-serif. Simply put, serif fonts add decorative strokes to the end of letters, while sans-serif fonts do not. Some notable serif fonts include Cambria, Garamond, Georgia and Times New Roman, while popular sans serif fonts include Arial, Calibri, Verdana and Trebuchet MS.
In general, serif fonts are more formal and traditional than sans-serif fonts. This makes serif fonts suitable for applications for professional industries or senior level-jobs. However, research has shown that sans-serif fonts tend to be easier to read on a screen. They also look good on mobile devices and across various platforms and browsers.
If you can't find a serif or sans serif font that you like for your CV, you could pick a font from one of these groups:
- Script: These are handwritten-style fonts that can add an elegant look and feel to your CV, but are also generally difficult to read.
- Monospaced: These fonts typically bring to mind typewriters or computer code. For certain stylised CVs, they may be a suitable option.
- Display fonts: These are fonts designed for signage and posters. While they may have a strong visual impact, they don't always work well in long-form documents.
3. Decide on font size
The standard font size for CVs is between 10 and 12 for the body text and between 14 and 16 points for headings and titles. Font sizes in these ranges typically result in an accessible, readable CV. Some fonts, such as Arial, Trebuchet and Verdana, take up more space on the page, and in those cases, it can be best to go for a smaller font size (i.e. 10).
4. Pick a font colour
In general, a black font colour on a white background is best unless you’re applying for a creative position. That said, darker shades of blue, green or red can also work well and convey professionalism, friendliness or motivation. Grey is also a great choice as it exudes calm and elegance. The most important thing to ensure high colour contrast between your text and the background. On a white or light background, opt for a very dark text colour. On a very dark background, use white text.
5. Make sure it's ATS-friendly
To make your CV as ATS-friendly as possible, follow these tips:
- Opt for universal, pre-installed fonts to avoid compatibility issues.
- Use consistent font sizing for headers and body text.
- Avoid special characters, icons and symbols as ATS might skip these.
- Don't mix light, bold and normal font weightings, or italics, within the same sentence.
- Set line spacing to 1.15 or 1.25 to ensure enough space to make the font readable.
Which font to select based on industry
The industry sector of the role you're applying for can be a factor in your font choice. You'll want to select a font that matches the sensibility, style and tradition of the sector. These tips can help you make the right choice:
Industry | Best fonts | Reasons |
Finance/law/professional services | Garamond, Cambria, Georgia | Formal, traditional fonts that convey trust and authority |
Creative/design | Montserrat, Lato | Visually bold, sophisticated fonts that show visual literacy |
Tech/IT | Lato, Calibri | Clear, readable fonts that perform well with ATS for highly competitive roles |
Education/academia | Garamond, Georgia, Cambria | Fonts that evoke scholarly credibility and readability for longer CVs |
Marketing/advertising | Montserrat, Lato, Trebuchet MS | Readable fonts with warm personality, for roles where visual language is important |
Healthcare | Arial, Calibri, Georgia | Clear, professional and highly readable fonts |
Engineering/trades | Arial, Verdana, Calibri | Straightforward, clear, utilitarian fonts that are highly readable |
Key takeaways for selecting the perfect CV font
When selecting the font for your next CV, remember to prioritise a clear, readable font that will perform well with ATS software. Choose a font that's appropriate for your industry and the role you're applying for (serif fonts for traditional professions, sans serif fonts for modern, creative industries). Avoid fonts that are old-fashioned or unsuitable for professional use (Times New Roman, Comic Sans). Finally, apply consistency with font sizes, colours and line spacing to maximise readability.
To learn more about CV design, check out Jobseeker's CV tools and resources. You can also use Jobseeker to build a professional-looking application, with a choice of CV and cover letter templates that use clear, readable fonts and eye-catching layouts that are also ATS-friendly. Sign up today and create your next winning CV in just a few minutes.
CV font FAQs
Why does font matter for your CV?
The font you choose for your CV matters because it can make a big difference to how easy it is to read, and how accurately ATS software can scan it. CV font also helps to set the tone and design language of the CV, and picking a font that matches the culture and tradition of the industry will help you to appear a better fit for the role.
What size font is too small for a CV?
The best font size for a CV is typically between 10 and 12, so any font below size 10 will be too small for a CV. However, check the font you're considering for your CV before settling on the best font size, as some fonts appear larger than others, even when using the same font size.
Can I use more than one font in my CV?
Consistency is your friend when it comes to designing a CV, meaning a single font throughout the document is usually best. Using different fonts throughout your CV is likely to make it less readable, and less scannable by ATS software. However, you may wish to select a font for body text and a different font for your CV section headings. Just make sure they compliment each other, and that you stay consistent with that design choice throughout your CV.
Should I match my font on my cover letter to my CV?
To create a consistent style and design language throughout your application, choose the same font for both your CV and cover letter. Unless you've chosen a CV font that doesn't work very well in longer chunks of text, this is usually the best approach. Use a cover letter template that matches the design of your CV to make your application look as professional as possible.
Can I use custom fonts for my CV?
Using custom fonts for your CV might make your application stand out from the crowd, but it's likely to cause compatibility issues. If the recruiter doesn't have the same font installed on their computer, the font may be replaced automatically, which can lead to design issues and formatting failures. Custom fonts may be an option for a highly stylised, creative CV, but in most cases it's best to stick to fonts that are universal and pre-installed on most operating systems.
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