Cover Letter Length Guide: How Long Should It Be?
A cover letter should be long enough to make your case but short enough to respect the reader's time. Most hiring managers spend less than a minute reviewing each cover letter, so every word must count.
Recommended Length by Format
| Format | Recommended Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Cover Letter | 250–400 words | 3–4 paragraphs, one page |
| Email Cover Letter | 150–250 words | Shorter for email readability |
| LinkedIn Message | 100–200 words | Brief and direct |
| Academic Cover Letter | 400–600 words | More detail on research and teaching |
Structure and Word Allocation
- Opening (50–75 words): State the position and your strongest qualification
- Body (150–250 words): Connect your experience to the job requirements with specific examples
- Closing (50–75 words): Express enthusiasm and include a call to action
Common Mistakes
- Exceeding one page — hiring managers rarely read beyond the first page
- Repeating your resume verbatim instead of adding new context
- Generic openings like "I am writing to apply for..." — lead with impact instead
Conclusion
Keep your cover letter to 250–400 words (one page) for most applications. Front-load your strongest qualifications and tailor each letter to the specific role. Use Character Counter to stay within the ideal word count range.