ATS Resume Fonts That Work: Crafting an ATS Friendly and ATS Compliant Resume

Understanding the Importance of ATS Resume Fonts

Before diving into specific fonts, it’s important to understand why font choice matters for ATS resumes. Applicant Tracking Systems rely on Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and natural language processing to accurately extract information from your resume. Using unconventional or decorative fonts can confuse the parsing software, causing it to misread or overlook critical data like job titles, dates, and skills.

Choosing an ATS friendly font ensures clarity, legibility, and proper parsing. A font that is too elaborate or stylized might look appealing to human recruiters but can compromise the ATS’s ability to scan your resume efficiently. By selecting fonts that are standard, simple, and web-safe, you improve your resume’s compatibility and increase your chances of being shortlisted.

What Makes a Font ATS Friendly?

• Standard and Commonly Used: ATS software is programmed to recognize widely used fonts such as Arial and Times New Roman.
• Simple and Sans-Serif or Serif: Fonts without excessive embellishments are easier to read and parse.
• Consistent Formatting: Avoid mixing too many fonts or sizes that can confuse the system.
• Legibility: The font should be easy for both humans and machines to read at a glance.

By adhering to these characteristics, you ensure your resume remains ATS compliant, providing a seamless experience during automated screening.

Top ATS Resume Fonts That Work

Here is a curated list of the best ATS resume fonts that comply with most applicant tracking systems and maintain professionalism:

1. Arial

Arial is arguably the most ATS friendly font available. It’s a sans-serif font widely used in professional documents because of its clean lines and universal availability across all platforms and ATS software.

2. Times New Roman

As a classic serif font, Times New Roman is highly readable and ATS compliant. Many recruiters expect to see this traditional font, especially in conservative industries.

3. Calibri

Calibri, the default Microsoft Word font, strikes a good balance between a modern feel and ATS compatibility. It’s simple, clear, and perfect for an ATS resume requiring a contemporary look.

4. Verdana

Verdana features wider lettering that greatly enhances readability on digital screens and ATS software, making sure no words are misinterpreted during parsing.

5. Georgia

Georgia is a serif font with a modern twist. It is elegant yet ATS compliant, commonly used in digital resumes to provide a professional aesthetic without compromising scan-ability.

6. Tahoma

Tahoma is a straightforward, sans-serif font with clean spacing, optimized for screen reading and ATS parsing.

Fonts to Avoid for ATS Resumes

While fonts can show personality, some fonts are too stylized or graphic-heavy for ATS reading, which can cause parsing errors. Avoid using:

• Script or Handwriting Fonts: Such as Brush Script, Lucida Handwriting, or Comic Sans.
• Decorative or Novelty Fonts: These can confuse ATS software and distract recruiters.
• Fonts With Extensive Kerning or Spacing: Excessive letter spacing or tight kerning can interfere with ATS parsing.

Sticking to clean and common fonts is vital in creating an ATS compliant resume tailored for both machines and recruiters.

Best Practices for ATS Friendly Resume Formatting

Beyond font selection, formatting plays a critical role in ensuring your resume remains ATS compliant and easily scannable:

• Use Standard Section Headings: Clearly label sections like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills” using standard phrasing to aid ATS recognition.
• Avoid Graphics and Images: Most ATS software cannot read images or text within graphics.
• Stick to Conventional Layouts: Complex columns, tables, and text boxes can confuse ATS parsing.
• Use Standard File Types: Submit your resume as a .docx or .pdf (check job posting to see which is preferred).
• Keep Font Size Between 10 and 12 Points: This ensures readability without making your resume look crowded or sparse.

How to Test Your ATS Compliant Resume

After selecting the right ATS resume fonts and formatting, test your resume’s compatibility:

Run It Through ATS Simulators

There are online ATS resume scan tools that simulate how your resume will be parsed. See if the system identifies names, titles, dates, and keywords accurately.

Check Formatting Consistency

Open your resume on different devices and software to ensure the font renders correctly and is not replaced by default styles.

Get Recruiter Feedback

Whenever possible, ask professionals or recruiters to review your resume for ATS compliance and readability.

Accessible Fonts: The Bonus Benefit

While ATS compatibility is essential, remember that a well-chosen font also benefits human readers, including recruiters and hiring managers. Fonts like Calibri and Georgia offer good accessibility for individuals with visual impairments, making them not just ATS friendly but also inclusive. This dual advantage increases your resume’s effectiveness across all readers.

Summary: Optimizing Your Resume with ATS Friendly Fonts

Crafting an ATS compliant resume goes well beyond keywords and formatting—it demands attention to detail in font selection. Use clean, classic, and widely supported fonts such as Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman to improve both ATS readability and recruiter appeal. Avoid decorative fonts and complicated layouts to minimize error rates in resume parsing. Additionally, adhere to best practices in formatting and test your resume to ensure it works seamlessly across platforms.

When you prioritize ATS resume fonts that work, your resume stands the best chance of passing the applicant tracking systems and landing in front of a human decision maker, increasing your chances of landing your dream job.