When sending in your resume for your dream position, remember that you’re competing with hundreds (if not thousands) of others who want the same thing.
And while your resume states the facts about you, your cover letter does something a resume can’t, and that’s tell your story.
It showcases the experiences, interests, passion, and determination you have for the role. In a way, a cover letter is your chance to make yourself memorable to the recruiter.
When both documents are paired together, you make a compelling case for why you’re worth an interview.
Recruiters won’t have the time to take in every detail you put in your job application, so you need to make sure yours makes an impact from the get-go.
This is why your cover letter length matters.
Here’s what you need to know about the ideal length of a cover letter and striking that perfect balance between detail and focus.
Key Takeaways
- There’s no one-size-fits-all cover letter length, but most effective cover letters fall in the 250- to 400-word range.
- Both short and long cover letters can work for different situations. Short letters suit fast-moving environments for quick scans, while full-length letters shine for competitive positions that demand detailed examples.
- Keep your cover letter concise by focusing on one main theme, highlighting only relevant achievements, and cutting out unnecessary details. A word counter can ensure your letter stays within a reader-friendly length.
Recruiter Attention Spans Are Short
No one has unlimited time, and it’s especially the case for busy recruiters.
A job opening pulls in around 250 resumes, and that’s just the average. They have a huge role to play, after all, acting as the most important filter in the hiring process.
With such a large volume of applications to review, recruiters typically spend only about seven seconds on each resume before proceeding.
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These are common reasons why recruiters’ attention spans are so short:
- High volume of applications.
- Limited time to fill roles
- Pressure to spot top candidates quickly
- Overlapping responsibilities that go beyond reviewing resumes
First impressions really do count, and your cover letter has the potential to make those few seconds work in your favor.
Longer Letters Risk Losing the Reader
Your cover letter length could backfire if you don’t keep the reader in mind. Even if your content looks great, you’re increasing the risks of getting ignored if you overstuff.
Here are the risks of writing longer cover letters:
- Recruiters skim or stop reading halfway through.
- Important points get buried in excess detail.
- You risk sounding repetitive and generic.
- The letter feels more like a second resume than an introduction.
Instead of cramming everything on one page, focus on optimizing both your letter and resume. Your cover letter should immediately get to the points that directly relate to the role you’re interested in.
Pro tip! Don’t forget to use the right buzzwords for your resume, as it will most likely be passed through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Ideal Cover Letter Length
There’s no specific word count, but the optimal cover letter length ranges from 250 to 400 words.
On paper, that’s half a page to one full page.
Your cover letter length should include the following:
- Introduction: Open with who you are and the role you’re applying for. Add a hook that shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and working with the company.
- Body: Share your most relevant skills and experiences. Show how they match what the role needs. Stick to two or three strong points instead of trying to cover everything.
- Closing: End with a thank you. Provide a short and sweet reminder of why you’d be a good fit, then include a call to action (like expressing your interest in an interview).
With these in mind, you should have enough space for margins and formatting, and be at a word count range to make your case without overwhelming the reader.
Writing a cover letter can get overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. The Undetectable AI Cover Letter Generator can give you a head start, so you aren’t left staring at a blank page.
It automatically formats your letter at your preferred length and structure.
You can either fill in your personal and job details manually or save even more time by importing your LinkedIn profile.
The tool uses advanced AI to create a customized letter that matches your skills, experience, and the job you’re targeting.
Within seconds, you’ll get a competitive cover letter that you can fine-tune and download in whatever format you need.
Already have a cover letter draft? Use our Word Counter, Character & Sentence Counter Tool to polish it.
Paste your text, and you’ll instantly see how many words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs you have.
It’ll make sure you’re on track if you need to keep an eye on the length of any content you’re writing.
How to Keep Your Cover Letter the Right Length
The ideal cover letter length requires balance. You’ll want enough details to stand out, but not so many that you lose the reader’s interest.
Here are ways to keep your cover letter within the sweet spot:
- Set a word goal: Aim for a word count that won’t exceed what’s necessary. Having a target keeps you from wandering into unnecessary detail.
- Focus on one main theme: Decide what single message you want to leave with the recruiter. If you want to highlight your track record of leading projects, build around that.
- Cut the background noise: You don’t need to explain every career move. Keep the history lesson for your resume and stick to what matters for the current role.
- Use bullets sparingly: If you really want to highlight two or three accomplishments, present them in a short bullet list. You’ll save space that way and make your points easier to read.
- Read your letter out loud: Catching your breath mid-sentence? That’s a sign your sentences are too long. Reading aloud is one of the best ways to spot bloated sections.
- End with impact: Your closing should thank the recruiter and express your enthusiasm for the next steps to follow. For instance, rather than a generic ending that asks to check your resume (because they already will), insert a call to action like “I’d be glad to share more about how my background can support your team’s goals.”
These tips can help you make the most of your cover letter’s length.
With a focused approach, you’ll present a polished letter that grabs attention without overstaying its welcome.
Examples of Cover Letter Length
It’s one thing to know about the “ideal” length, but seeing actual examples makes it easier to understand what works best.
Successful cover letters come in all sorts of lengths. The key is knowing how much detail fits best for the role and context.
Short but Effective Cover Letter Example
Expected word count: 150–250 words
Sometimes, less is more. A short cover letter works when you already know the job is in high demand (where recruiters are likely scanning quickly due to high volume), or when the job posting doesn’t ask for a lengthy explanation.
Take this short-format example. For context, the candidate is applying for a customer service role at a fast-growing tech startup.
–
James Smith
(123) 456-7890
October 28, 2025
Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m excited to apply for the Customer Service Associate role at Tech Company. In my previous position at Bright Solutions, I managed over 50 customer interactions daily, maintaining a 95% satisfaction rate. I thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy solving problems efficiently, which aligns perfectly with TechCo’s commitment to responsive customer support.
Tech Company’s focus on innovation and exceptional client experiences is especially appealing. At Bright Solutions, building long-term client relationships, resolving issues promptly, and ensuring positive interactions at every touchpoint were key to success. These experiences have prepared me to contribute immediately to your team’s goals.
I would welcome the opportunity to bring my experience, dedication, and enthusiasm to your team and contribute to delivering exceptional service to your clients. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to the possibility of speaking with you.
Sincerely,
James Smith
–
Standard Full-Length Cover Letter Example
Expected word count: 250–400 words
This is the classic format most recruiters expect. A full-length letter is still not overly long, but with this, you’re given more space to highlight specific details that connect directly to the job.
In this example, a candidate is applying for a Marketing Coordinator role at a mid-sized tech company. The recruiters are more selective here and are looking for specific skills and achievements relevant to the role.
–
Emma Jones
(123) 456-7890
November 10, 2025
Innovate Tech’s recent product launch caught my attention and inspired me to apply for the Marketing Coordinator role. With over three years of experience in digital marketing, I have focused on developing campaigns that are both creative and results-driven.
At Bright Media, I managed multiple campaigns simultaneously, gaining hands-on experience in social media, email marketing, and content strategy. A few highlights from my work include:
- 25% increase in social media engagement over six months.
- 15% boost in newsletter open rates through targeted email campaigns.
- Streamlined content workflows, reducing campaign turnaround time by 20%.
These experiences taught me how to balance creativity with efficiency, ensuring campaigns meet deadlines without compromising quality. Working closely with design, content, and analytics teams strengthened my project management skills and my ability to adapt quickly in fast-paced environments.
What excites me most about Innovate Tech is your commitment to combining innovative strategies with measurable outcomes. Your integrated approach to marketing aligns perfectly with my experience and passion for driving engagement across multiple channels. I am confident that my skills in content strategy, analytics, and campaign coordination can help execute impactful initiatives and contribute directly to the team’s goals.
Beyond metrics, I enjoy building lasting client relationships and creating experiences that resonate with audiences. I take pride in solving problems creatively, optimizing workflows, and ensuring every campaign delivers value both for the company and its clients.
Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background and skills can help InnovateTech continue achieving successful, measurable results.
Sincerely,
Emma Jones
–
Why Both Work When Written Well
Both short and full-length cover letters can get the job done when written well.
The letter has to be clear, focused, tailored to the job, and highlight your most relevant skills and achievements in a way that’s easy for recruiters to read.
A short cover letter is a good choice if you’re applying for roles that value direct communication, like sales, customer service, or fast-paced industries where being straight to the point shows confidence.
Meanwhile, a full-length cover letter works a little better when more explanation is needed. It gives room to tell your story, show multiple achievements, or explain a career shift.
This format works well if you’re moving into a new industry or applying for a competitive role where you need to show depth.
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Cover Letter Length: Make Every Word Count
While there’s no specific cover letter length that will work for every job application you send, the goal is to stay clear, focused, and relevant.
Every word should serve a purpose, whether you’re highlighting a key achievement, showing your enthusiasm for the role, or connecting your experience to what the company needs.
To make the writing process more efficient, use Undetectable AI. Aside from cover letters, Undetectable can create professional, customized drafts for all types of content within seconds.
And once they’re ready, you can add your personal touch to make your content truly your own.
Give it a go!
Try Undetectable AI for free and see how our suite of tools can help you write, edit, and optimize content that always hits the mark.