Back to Blog

The Essential Guide to Resume Fonts That Pass ATS in 2025

10 min read

ResumizeAI

ats and templates
Resume Fonts That Pass ATS in 2025
ATS-friendly fonts
resume fonts 2025
applicant tracking system tips
+4 more

Worried your resume never gets past the initial screen? You’re not alone. Many qualified applicants lose out because their resumes use fonts or formatting that confuse ATS software. This guide shows you which resume fonts pass ATS in 2025, exact font sizes, spacing, and real before/after examples to get your resume parsed correctly. Read on to fix common mistakes and start getting more interviews today.

The Essential Guide to Resume Fonts That Pass ATS in 2025

Why font choice still matters: how ATS reads your resume

Top resume fonts that pass ATS in 2025 (and why they work)

Exact font sizes, spacing, and formatting that pass ATS

Fixing common mistakes: real-world examples and before/after

Testing your resume: tools and a 3-minute ATS checklist

Design balance: making your resume human-friendly without breaking ATS

Key Takeaways

  • 1Use proven fonts like Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Georgia, or Cambria to maximize ATS readability.
  • 2Set body font to 10.5–12 pt and headings to 12–14 pt bold; avoid images and text-in-image for names or contact info.
  • 3Always export to plain text (.txt) to see exactly what ATS will read and fix corrupted characters or missing sections.
  • 4Replace decorative bullets, curly quotes, and special characters with standard hyphens, straight quotes, and simple round bullets.
  • 5Avoid headers/footers and text boxes for critical information; place name, contact, and skills in main body text.
  • 6Use a single-column or ATS-safe two-column layout; if in doubt, keep a single-column version for applications.
  • 7Use tools (Jobscan, Resumize.ai) and a 3-minute checklist to test parsing and keyword presence before applying.

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

You can use custom fonts for a human-view PDF you keep for portfolio or networking events, but for job applications always submit an ATS-safe version using standard fonts (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, etc.). Custom fonts may be substituted or cause parsing errors, so maintain a plain-text-tested resume for submissions.
Both can work, but ensure PDFs are text-based (not scanned images). Word (.docx) is generally safe for ATS, but some systems prefer PDF. After saving, open the PDF and try selecting text — if you can select and copy, the text is preserved and likely ATS-friendly. Always run the plain-text check regardless of format.
For creative roles, it’s fine to have a more designed version for interviews or portfolio links. However, submit an ATS-friendly single-column resume when applying online. Keep a visually rich resume for handoffs, networking, or when a job posting explicitly requests a design-forward PDF.
Most ATS ignore style like bold or capitalization when matching keywords — they focus on raw text strings. Use bold and ALL CAPS to aid human readers, but don’t rely on them to make words detectable by ATS. Ensure keywords exist in plain text regardless of styling.

Related Articles

The Ultimate Guide to ATS Safe Resume Colors (Proven Tips)
ats and templates
9 min read

The Ultimate Guide to ATS Safe Resume Colors (Proven Tips)

Worried your resume colors could be sabotaging your job search? You're not alone. Many job seekers use bold palettes that confuse ATS scanners or distract hiring managers. This guide reveals which ATS safe resume colors work, why they matter, and exactly how to apply them—step-by-step. You'll get real examples, before-and-after comparisons, and easy rules to follow so your resume looks modern, scans correctly, and converts to interviews.

ATS Safe Resume Colors
resume colors
ATS friendly resume
+7
Read more
The Ultimate Guide: How ATS Systems Actually Parse Resumes
ats and templates
9 min read

The Ultimate Guide: How ATS Systems Actually Parse Resumes

Struggling to get callbacks despite strong experience? The problem may be how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) actually parse resumes — not your qualifications. In this deep-dive, you’ll discover what ATS software reads, where many good resumes fail, and step-by-step fixes you can implement today. From file types and section headers to keyword placement and formatting hacks, this guide gives clear examples, mini case studies, and proven templates to transform how bots (and hiring managers) see your resume.

ATS systems parse resumes
applicant tracking system
resume parsing
+6
Read more
Ultimate Guide: Best Resume File Types — PDF vs DOCX
ats and templates
10 min read

Ultimate Guide: Best Resume File Types — PDF vs DOCX

Stuck between saving your resume as a PDF or DOCX? You're not alone. Pick the wrong format and your application may never be seen. This guide cuts the confusion—showing when to use PDF or DOCX, how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) read each format, step-by-step conversion checks, and real-world examples that changed hiring outcomes. By the end you'll know exactly which file type to submit for different job postings and have a checklist to ensure perfect formatting every time.

resume file types
PDF vs DOCX
ATS and templates
+6
Read more

Ready to Build Your Perfect Resume?

Put these insights into action with our AI-powered resume builder

Start Building Free