How long should a cover letter be?
The sweet spot is 250 to 400 words on a single page — three or four short paragraphs that make one focused case. This guide breaks down the word count paragraph by paragraph and shows how to tighten a draft that runs long.
Check your draft against the 250–400 word range. Paste your cover letter into the free word counter for an instant word and character count. It runs in your browser, so your letter stays private.
The ideal length: 250 to 400 words
A cover letter should fit comfortably on a single page and run between 250 and 400 words. That is roughly half a page of body text once you account for the date, addresses, and sign-off. The reason for the tight range is simple: a hiring manager reading dozens of applications gives each cover letter a glance before deciding whether to read it properly. A short, specific letter respects that reality. A full page of generic enthusiasm does the opposite — it asks for more attention while delivering less. The best cover letters are often closer to 250 than 400 words, because brevity forces you to choose your single strongest argument instead of listing every reason you might be a fit.
Word count, paragraph by paragraph
| Section | Words | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | 40–60 | Name the role and lead with the single strongest reason you fit. |
| Body paragraph 1 | 80–120 | One specific, quantified achievement that maps to the job's top requirement. |
| Body paragraph 2 | 70–110 | A second proof point, or why this company specifically — not a generic flattery line. |
| Closing | 30–50 | A confident, low-pressure call to action and a thank you. |
Add those ranges up and you land in the 220 to 340 word zone, with room to flex toward 400 if a role genuinely needs a third proof point. The structure matters as much as the total: each paragraph has one job, and a paragraph that does not have a job should be cut, not padded to look complete. If you find yourself writing a fifth paragraph, it is almost always restating something you already said.
Can a cover letter be too short?
Yes, and the failure mode is just as real as rambling. A two-sentence note that says “Please find my resume attached, I would love this job” wastes the one chance you have to add context a resume cannot. Under about 150 words, a cover letter rarely makes a genuine case; it reads as a box checked rather than an argument made. The practical floor for a real letter is around 200 words. If your draft is below that, the fix is never filler — it is one more concrete, quantified achievement that connects you to the specific role. A short letter that proves a point is strong; a short letter that asserts enthusiasm is not.
When you can go slightly longer
A few situations justify nudging toward the top of the range or just past 400 words. Career changers sometimes need an extra sentence or two to bridge an obvious gap and explain why a non-obvious background is an asset. Senior and executive roles can support a slightly fuller letter when scope and outcomes genuinely warrant it. Some academic, research, and public-sector applications ask for a longer statement, in which case follow the posting’s explicit word or page limit over any general rule. Outside those cases, treat one page and 400 words as a firm ceiling. A two-page cover letter signals that you could not edit, which is a poor first impression in almost any role.
How to cut a cover letter that runs long
- Delete what the resume already says. The cover letter adds context and connection; it should not narrate your job history line by line.
- Cut the company history lesson. The reader knows where they work. Two sentences on why this company appeals to you is enough; a paragraph is flattery.
- Keep one example, not three. One vivid, quantified achievement is more persuasive than three half-described ones competing for the same space.
- Remove hedges and intensifiers.“I believe I would likely be a very strong fit” becomes “I am a strong fit.” The reduce word count guide covers the sentence-level moves; the grammar checker catches the leftover clutter.
- End on the action, not a summary. A closing that restates the whole letter wastes 40 words. A confident call to action does the same job in one sentence.
Formatting that keeps you on one page
Length is partly a layout problem. Use a standard 11 or 12 point font, single or 1.15 line spacing, and one-inch margins. Skip the full physical address block at the top if you are applying online — your name, email, and the date are enough, and a long formal header eats the space your argument needs. If the application is a form rather than an attachment, the same 250 to 400 word target applies to the pasted text, and any character limit on the box takes priority; check it with the character counter before you submit so the ending does not get cut off.
Measure last, write first
As with a resume, do not start by aiming for a word count. Write the most persuasive, specific letter you can for this one job, then run it through the word counter and check it against the range. Over 400 words, cut using the list above. Under 200, add a real proof point. Pair this with the resume length guide so your whole application reads as deliberate, focused, and easy to say yes to.