Cover Letter Length
Cover Letter Word Count: The Ideal Length
Check your draft against the widely-cited 250-400 word range for cover letters, and see general formal-letter guidance too.
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How Many Words Should a Cover Letter Be?
This range is widely cited in US hiring guidance because recruiters scan applications quickly — a letter that's too long risks getting skimmed rather than read. Keep the opening line specific to the role, and use the rest to connect two or three concrete achievements to what the job needs.
Formal Letter Word Count Guidelines
For a general formal letter that isn't job-specific — a complaint letter, a recommendation letter, a formal request — 200-300 words is generally considered appropriately concise for business correspondence. That said, the ideal length depends heavily on purpose: a recommendation letter often runs longer than a short formal request, so treat this as a starting point rather than a rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a cover letter be?
Most hiring guidance recommends 250-400 words, fitting on a single page.
How many words should a formal letter have?
Generally 200-300 words for standard business correspondence, though the ideal length depends on the letter's purpose.