How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

The answer to cover letter length is straightforward, but many candidates still get it wrong.

The Standard: Half a Page to One Page

A cover letter should be between three and five short paragraphs. In practice, this is roughly 250–400 words — half a page to a full page of A4.

That is it. There is no situation in which a two-page cover letter is appropriate, and a cover letter longer than one page is almost never fully read.

Why Shorter Is Better

Recruiters handling high-volume roles spend very little time on each cover letter at the initial review stage. A half-page letter with three tight, relevant paragraphs will be read more fully than a full page of prose. A one-page letter will be read more fully than a page and a half.

Every additional paragraph beyond what is necessary reduces the probability that the essential content is actually read.

What to Put in Each Paragraph

Paragraph 1 (two to three sentences): Why this role and this employer. Be specific — not a generic "I am excited about this opportunity" but a genuine reason related to the company, the team, the mission, or the specific nature of the work.

Paragraph 2 (three to four sentences): Your most relevant experience and what you bring. Reference one or two specific achievements or qualifications directly relevant to the role. Not a list — a focused case for your candidacy.

Paragraph 3 (two to three sentences): A brief close. Express interest in discussing further. Do not end with a passive "I hope to hear from you" — end with something slightly more direct: "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background could contribute to [specific thing]."

When You Have More to Say

If you have a career change to explain, a gap to address, or an unusual background that needs context, you may legitimately need a fourth short paragraph. Add it, but do not let it exceed half a page additional.

The discipline of cover letter writing is knowing what to leave out.

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