How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? 250-400 Words, Half a Page (2026)

How long should a cover letter be? A cover letter should be 250 to 400 words, which fills half a page to two-thirds of a page in a standard font and comes out to three or four short paragraphs. That is enough room to name the role, give one real reason you want it and prove one or two accomplishments, and if yours runs longer, you are probably overthinking it.

Nobody enjoys writing cover letters, and the first thing almost everyone searches before writing one is how long it should be. This guide answers that question in detail: the ideal word count and page length, how many paragraphs to write, when a shorter or longer letter makes sense, and what to cut when a draft runs long. If you need help with what to say rather than how much, start with our guide on how to write a cover letter and come back here to trim it.

The Ideal Cover Letter Length: 250-400 Words

Hiring managers say the same thing over and over: keep it short. A 2024 ResumeLab survey found that 70% of them prefer cover letters under one page, and most of those prefer half a page. In practice, that means three to four tight paragraphs and nothing more.

Recruiters are scanning, not reading literary fiction. They want to know why you are interested, what you bring and whether you can write a clear sentence, and a 300-word letter lets them learn all three in about a minute. If you can make your case in 300 words, do not pad it to 500. More words do not signal more effort; they signal that you could not edit.

Cover Letter Length at a Glance

The table below turns the usual advice into numbers you can check your draft against. The character counts are estimates for online forms that limit what you can paste, based on an average of about six characters per word including spaces.

How Many Paragraphs Should a Cover Letter Be?

A cover letter should be three or four paragraphs, and each one has a single job. Here is what each section should do and roughly how long it should be.

Opening (2 to 3 sentences): Name the role and give one real reason you want it. Drop the "I am writing to express my interest" opener, because the recruiter already knows why you are writing. Lead with something specific instead, such as a product you actually use or a problem the team is working on.

Body (4 to 6 sentences): This paragraph is the whole point of the letter. Pick one or two accomplishments that match the job requirements and use numbers, because "Reduced onboarding time by 35% by redesigning the training workflow" beats "improved the training process" every time. Do not simply reword your resume bullets; add context your resume cannot carry, like why you chose a particular approach or what went wrong along the way. If you have two strong accomplishments, they can each take a short paragraph, which is how a letter grows to four paragraphs.

Closing (2 to 3 sentences): Say you are interested, mention your availability and thank the reader. A line such as "I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can contribute" is fine. You do not need a dramatic sign-off or a paragraph that restates what you already said.

How to Keep a Cover Letter on Half a Page

Page length depends on formatting as much as on word count, so it helps to use the same conventions recruiters expect. A single-spaced letter in an 11 or 12 point font with margins of about one inch puts 250 to 400 words on half a page to two-thirds of a page, once you add your contact details, a greeting and a sign-off.

If your letter only fits on one page because you shrank the font or the margins, it is too long. Cut words instead, because a cramped page is harder to scan than a short one, and the reader will notice the squeeze before they notice your accomplishments.

When a Shorter Cover Letter Is Better

Some situations call for a letter closer to 200 words.

Startups and small companies move fast, so a punchy three-paragraph letter that gets to the point will land better than a formal half-page essay.

For internal applications, the hiring manager already knows you, so focus on why you want the new role and what you have done in your current one.

When a posting asks for a "brief cover letter," the employer means it, and 150 to 250 words is the right length.

When You Can Go Longer

Going past 400 words is rarely worth it, but there are exceptions.

Career changers have a resume that does not tell the obvious story, so they need extra sentences to connect the dots, explain their transferable skills and give the reason behind the switch.

Academic and research positions, such as faculty and postdoc applications, sometimes expect a longer letter that covers research interests, teaching philosophy and fit with the department. These letters can run one to two pages, although tighter is still better.

Senior leadership roles sometimes warrant a longer letter that lays out a strategic vision. Even then, the letter should be one page at most.

Common Mistakes That Add Unnecessary Length

Most cover letters that run too long share the same four problems, and fixing them is usually enough to bring a draft under 400 words.

Restating the resume. If your cover letter reads like a prose version of your resume, you are wasting everyone's time, because the recruiter already has the resume. The letter should add something new. If you are not sure your resume itself is the right length, see our guide on how long a resume should be.

Over-explaining. A sentence such as "I believe I would be a strong candidate for this position because my extensive background in project management, combined with my passion for technology and my demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams..." loses the reader halfway through. State the point and support it with one fact.

Generic company praise. "I have long admired [Company] for its innovative culture and commitment to excellence" says nothing. If you want to mention the company, pick something real, such as a product launch, a blog post or a decision that caught your attention.

Addressing every requirement. You do not need to respond to every bullet in the job description. Pick the two or three that matter most and address those well, because covering everything turns the letter into a checklist.

A Quick Checklist Before You Send

Run through these questions before you press submit.

1. Is the letter under 400 words, and if it is not, what can you cut?
2. Does the opening name the role and a real reason you want it?
3. Does the body include at least one concrete accomplishment with a number?
4. Have you avoided copying and pasting from your resume?
5. Is the closing brief and action-oriented?
6. Does every sentence earn its spot?

Frequently Asked Questions

How many words should a cover letter be?

Aim for 250 to 400 words, which fills about half to two-thirds of a single page. This gives you enough room to explain your interest and highlight one or two key accomplishments without rambling.

How many paragraphs should a cover letter be?

Most cover letters work best with three or four paragraphs: an opening that names the role and a real reason you want it, one or two body paragraphs built around a specific accomplishment, and a short closing. Each paragraph should run two to six sentences.

Is a one-page cover letter too long?

A full page is on the long side for most applications. Half a page to two-thirds of a page is the sweet spot. Only academic, research, or senior leadership roles typically warrant a full page.

Is 200 words enough for a cover letter?

Yes, 200 words is enough when the letter is specific, and it is often the right length for startups, internal applications and postings that ask for a brief cover letter. A short letter that names the role, gives one real reason you want it and offers one accomplishment with a number does more than a long letter full of general praise.

Is a 500-word cover letter too long?

A 500-word cover letter is too long for most applications, because it usually fills most of a page and tends to repeat the resume. Career changers, academic applicants and senior leaders can justify more words, but most other applicants should cut to 400 words or fewer by removing resume restatement and generic company praise.

How long should a cover letter be in an email or an online form?

A cover letter in the body of an email or pasted into an application text box should be a little shorter than a formal letter, usually 150 to 300 words, because the reader sees it on a screen without page formatting. If the form has a character limit, 250 words is roughly 1,500 characters including spaces.

Can I skip the cover letter if it is optional?

You can, but submitting one gives you an edge over candidates who skip it. Even a brief 200-word letter that shows genuine interest in the company can differentiate you from a stack of resume-only applications.

The Bottom Line on Cover Letter Length

A cover letter is a pitch, not an essay. The best ones are direct, specific and short enough that the reader actually finishes them, and when you pair one with a resume that actually stands out, you have a strong application. Once yours is ready, timing matters too: Scoutify's instant job alerts tell you when companies post new jobs on their own career pages, so you can apply while the posting is still fresh. If you are sending many applications that only ask for a resume and standard questions, Sniper applies to new jobs that fit you directly on company career sites minutes after they post, which leaves your cover letter effort for the roles that ask for one.

Aim for 250 to 400 words, say what you need to say, and then stop.