Best Font For Cover Letter 2017: Complete Guide to Professional Typography

Choosing the best font for a cover letter may seem like a minor detail, but in reality, it plays a crucial role in how recruiters perceive your application. In 2017, as digital hiring processes became more dominant, readability, professionalism, and compatibility across devices became the top priorities. A well-chosen font ensures your message is clear, polished, and easy to scan—giving you a competitive edge from the very first glance.

Your cover letter is often the first impression you make on a hiring manager. While content is king, presentation is what makes your content accessible and engaging. Fonts influence readability, tone, and even subconscious judgments about your professionalism. Whether you're applying for a corporate role, a creative position, or an academic job, your font choice should align with industry expectations.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best fonts for cover letters in 2017, compare serif vs sans-serif options, provide formatting best practices, and highlight common mistakes to avoid. If you want personalized help, our specialists can assist you—just register on our website to get started.

Table of Contents

• Why Font Choice Matters in a Cover Letter
• Best Fonts for Cover Letters in 2017
• Serif vs Sans-Serif: Which Should You Choose?
• Formatting Rules for Cover Letter Fonts
• Fonts to Avoid in Professional Documents
• Expert Tips for Perfect Typography
• Common Mistakes Beginners Make
• FAQ

Why Font Choice Matters in a Cover Letter

The font you choose directly affects how your cover letter is perceived. Recruiters often spend less than 10 seconds scanning an application. If your font is difficult to read or looks unprofessional, your chances decrease immediately.

Key Reasons Font Matters

• Improves readability and scanning speed
• Reflects professionalism and attention to detail
• Ensures compatibility across devices and systems
• Enhances visual hierarchy

In 2017, hiring increasingly moved online, making digital readability essential. Fonts like Times New Roman and Arial remained popular because they rendered well in emails and PDF formats.

Checklist: What Makes a Good Cover Letter Font

• ✔ Easy to read on screen and print
• ✔ Professional appearance
• ✔ Widely supported across platforms
• ✔ Neutral tone (not decorative)

If you're unsure about formatting your document, consider using a professional Word cover letter template to ensure consistency.

Best Fonts for Cover Letters in 2017

Here are the most recommended fonts that were widely accepted in 2017 and still remain relevant today:

Calibri became especially popular as the default Microsoft Word font, making it a safe and modern choice. Arial and Helvetica offered clean, minimal designs ideal for digital reading.

For specialized roles, such as cybersecurity, you might pair your font choice with a strong content structure like in this entry-level cybersecurity analyst cover letter example.

Serif vs Sans-Serif: Which Should You Choose?

Understanding the difference between serif and sans-serif fonts is key to making the right choice.

Comparison Table

If you're applying for a corporate or academic role, serif fonts may be preferred. For tech or startup roles, sans-serif fonts often work better.

For academic positions, you can review this university lecturer application letter guide for additional formatting tips.

Checklist: Choosing Between Serif and Sans-Serif

• ✔ Consider industry standards
• ✔ Think about readability on screens
• ✔ Match your resume font
• ✔ Keep consistency across documents

Formatting Rules for Cover Letter Fonts

Choosing the right font is only part of the equation. Proper formatting ensures your letter looks polished.

Recommended Font Sizes

• Body text: 10.5–12 pt
• Headings: 12–14 pt
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides

Line Spacing

• Use 1.15–1.5 spacing
• Add space between paragraphs

Make sure your letter is properly addressed. If you're unsure, read this guide on how to address a cover letter to a company correctly.

Example Layout

Your Name
Your Address

Employer Name
Company Address

Dear Hiring Manager,

[Body text...]

Sincerely,
Your Name

If you need help refining your layout, our specialists can guide you—just register on our website.

Fonts to Avoid in Professional Documents

Some fonts should never be used in a cover letter due to poor readability or unprofessional appearance.

Avoid These Fonts

• Comic Sans
• Papyrus
• Courier New
• Brush Script
• Impact

Why These Fonts Are Problematic

• They look informal or childish
• They reduce readability
• They may not display correctly

Expert Tips for Perfect Typography

Here are five practical tips to ensure your cover letter looks professional:

• Use a standard font like Calibri or Arial
• Keep font size between 11–12 pt
• Maintain consistent formatting
• Use bold sparingly for emphasis
• Always proofread your document

If you're applying for internships, check out this general internship cover letter guide.

Additionally, don’t forget to prepare a strong reference section using this job references list guide.

Need professional feedback? Our experts are ready to help—just register on our website and get personalized advice.

FAQ

1. What is the best font size for a cover letter?

Use 11–12 pt for body text to ensure readability.

2. Is Times New Roman still acceptable?

Yes, it remains a safe and professional choice.

3. Can I use modern fonts like Calibri?

Absolutely. Calibri is one of the best modern options.

4. Should my resume and cover letter use the same font?

Yes, consistency across documents is important.

5. Are serif fonts better than sans-serif?

It depends on the industry, but both are acceptable.

6. Can I use bold or italics?

Yes, but use them sparingly for emphasis only.

7. What font should I avoid?

Avoid decorative or informal fonts like Comic Sans.

8. Where can I get professional help?

You can get expert assistance by registering here: register on our website.