Updated September 26, 2026.
In short: a cover letter should be no longer than one page — in practice about 250 to 400 words, split into three or four short paragraphs. University career centers give the same one-page ceiling: Penn's career services says to stay on one page for non-academic applications (Penn Career Services), and UW–Madison's School of Education career center says a letter "typically does not exceed one page" (UW–Madison). The word range is our working guideline, not a rule an employer enforces. Academic applications are the main exception.
How long should a cover letter be?
One page at most, and usually less. Aim for the length a hiring manager can read in one sitting without scrolling past the first screen more than once.
| Measure | Target | Hard ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| Pages | Under 1 page | 1 page (non-academic) |
| Words | 250–400 | ~450 |
| Paragraphs | 3–4 | 5 |
| Sentences per paragraph | 2–5 | 6 |
The range exists because a cover letter has only three jobs: say which role you want and why this employer, prove you can do the work with one or two specific examples, and ask for the next step. Each job takes a paragraph. Anything beyond that tends to repeat the resume.
How many words should a cover letter be?
About 250 to 400 words. Under about 200 words, the letter usually cannot fit a real example, so it reads as a form letter. Over about 450, it starts to restate your resume line by line, which Penn's guidance specifically warns against — the employer already has your resume.
If you are writing for a busy recruiter or a high-volume role, the lower end is fine. Our short cover letter examples show complete letters at around 150 to 200 words for situations where brevity is the point.
How many paragraphs should a cover letter have?
Three or four. A structure that fits almost every job:
1.Opening (2–3 sentences): the role, how you found it, and one reason you want this employer specifically.
2.Proof (1–2 paragraphs, 3–5 sentences each): one or two stories that show the skills the posting asks for, with a result.
3.Close (2–3 sentences): why you are a fit, availability if relevant, and a thank-you.
UW–Madison allows up to four or five paragraphs; past five, paragraphs get so short the letter reads like a list.
Does cover letter length change by situation?
Yes. The one-page ceiling holds for most jobs, but the target moves:
- Entry level or internship: 250–350 words. One proof paragraph built on coursework, a project or a part-time job is enough.
- Experienced hire: 300–400 words. Two proof paragraphs, each tied to a requirement in the posting.
- Career change: 350–400 words. You need one extra sentence or two explaining the move — see how to explain a career change for wording.
- Academic and some research roles: longer letters are normal. Penn's one-page rule is explicitly for non-academic applications, and faculty applications often run to two pages. Follow the posting.
- Email body or online text box: 100–200 words. If a form has a character limit, that limit wins.
What should you cut if your cover letter is too long?
Cut in this order:
1.Sentences that restate your resume. "I have five years of experience in accounting" adds nothing if your resume says so.
2.Generic claims. "I am a hard-working team player" — replace it with one example or delete it.
3.A second example that proves the same skill. Keep the stronger one.
4.Throat-clearing openers like "My name is…" or "I am writing to apply for…". Penn lists "My name is…" as a don't. Start with the role and your reason instead — our guide to how to start a cover letter has openers that work.
5.Long closings. Two sentences are enough.
Do not solve length by shrinking the font or margins. Penn recommends an 11 to 12 point font; squeezing a 600-word letter into 9 point type is still a 600-word letter.
What does a cover letter of the right length look like?
This example is an illustration, not a real applicant — about 260 words:
Dear Ms. Alvarez,
I'm applying for the Operations Coordinator role on your logistics team. I've followed Northbay's expansion into same-day delivery, and the posting's focus on carrier scheduling is exactly the work I do now.
At Rivera Distribution I coordinate inbound freight for a 60,000-square-foot warehouse. When our carrier on-time rate slipped last spring, I rebuilt the dock schedule around two-hour appointment windows and started a weekly scorecard with our three largest carriers. Within a quarter, missed appointments dropped by about half, and receiving overtime fell with them.
I also own our warehouse management system reports. I built the daily exceptions report that the site manager now uses in the morning stand-up, which is the kind of reporting your posting describes for this role.
I'd welcome the chance to talk about how I could support Northbay's same-day network. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely, Jordan Lee
Notice what is missing: no list of every duty, no adjectives about personality, no repeat of the resume's dates. For a finished letter drafted from your own resume and the job posting, try the AI cover letter generator, then trim it to this length.
Frequently asked questions
Is a half-page cover letter too short?
No. A half page — roughly 200 to 250 words — is fine if it names the role, gives one concrete example and closes cleanly. Short is only a problem when it becomes generic.
Can a cover letter be two pages?
For most jobs, no; one page is the expected maximum. Two pages are normal mainly for academic and some research positions, where letters discuss research and teaching in detail.
How long should an email cover letter be?
Shorter than a formal letter: about 100 to 200 words in the email body, with your resume attached. If you attach a full cover letter as well, keep the email to two or three sentences.
Does cover letter length matter to applicant tracking systems?
We have not seen evidence that ATS software scores letters by length. Length matters because a person reads the letter; keep it short enough that they finish it.
Should my cover letter be as long as my resume?
No. A resume can run one to two pages; the cover letter stays at one page or less regardless of resume length. For the resume side, see our guide to resume length.