Quick defaults
Use one common font, 10–12pt body text, and margins no smaller than 0.5".
If you want one “safe preset” that’s readable and ATS-friendly, start here and adjust only if needed.
Recommended preset
- Font: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, Cambria, or Times New Roman
- Body size: 10.5–11pt (minimum 10pt)
- Headings: 12–13pt (bold)
- Margins: 0.5–1.0" (minimum 0.5")
- Line spacing: 1.0–1.15
What matters most for ATS
Fonts and spacing are usually fine. The bigger ATS risks are columns, tables, text boxes, and header/footer contact info. If your resume fails the plain-text test, fix layout before obsessing over typography.
Why these defaults are “safe”: university career centers recommend minimum 10pt font and margins no smaller than 0.5", and ATS guidance recommends common fonts and simple formatting.
Fonts: safe picks
Safe font choices (boring is good)
Safe / Recommended
Risky / Avoid
Safe / RecommendedSans-serifCalibri, Arial, Helvetica
Risky / AvoidUncommon fontsStylized fonts that may convert poorly
Safe / RecommendedSerifCambria, Times New Roman, Georgia
Risky / AvoidVery small sizeBelow 10pt (signals crammed content, hard to read)
Safe / RecommendedWhyCommon fonts render consistently and are easy to read
Risky / AvoidHeavy stylingExcessive italics/underlines/colors can hurt scanability
Margins: safe range
Use margins between 0.5" and 1.0". A half-inch margin is a common minimum recommendation from career centers and helps prevent printing/cropping issues and cramped readability.
1.0"
Most readable default
0.75"
Good balance
0.5"
Minimum safe; don’t go smaller
Line spacing & section spacing
- Body line spacing: 1.0–1.15 (avoid “tight” spacing that looks crammed).
- Bullet spacing: keep bullets compact, but readable; avoid huge gaps between bullets.
- Section spacing: add a bit more space before/after section headers so the resume “scans” well.
- Consistency: use the same spacing rules in every section (Experience, Projects, Education).
30-second QA test
Do this before you submit
- Body font is 10pt or larger; headings are clearly larger/bolder.
- Margins are 0.5” or larger on all sides.
- Paste-test: copy/paste into Notepad—text order stays correct and nothing disappears.
- No columns, tables, text boxes, headers/footers, or icons that replace words.
Sources
- MIT CAPD: “Resumes” (font no smaller than 10pt; margins at least 0.5"). View source
- MIT CAPD: “Make your resume ATS-friendly” (use common legible fonts; avoid tables/text boxes/graphics; minimum 10pt guidance). View source
- UT Austin CNS Career Services: “Resume Formatting” (10–12pt font; margins no smaller than 1/2 inch). View source