What is an ATS resume checker?

An ATS resume checker is a tool that analyzes your resume against the same criteria used by Applicant Tracking Systems - the software 75% of employers use to filter applications before a human ever sees them. It checks for keyword matches, formatting issues, and section completeness, then gives you a score and actionable fixes.

Is this resume checker really free?

Yes. Our ATS resume checker is completely free. Upload your resume and a job description to get your ATS score, keyword gaps, and formatting issues. No credit card required.

What is a good ATS score?

A score of 80 or above means your resume is likely to pass most ATS filters and reach a human recruiter. Scores between 60-79 need targeted improvements. Below 60 typically means your resume has formatting or keyword issues that will get it automatically filtered out.

Should I upload my resume as PDF or DOCX?

Both work, but DOCX is generally safer for ATS systems as it's natively text-based. PDFs created from Word are usually fine, but PDFs exported from Canva or design tools often fail ATS parsing because they embed text as images. When in doubt, use DOCX.

How do ATS systems actually work?

ATS software like Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, and iCIMS parses your resume into structured data fields - name, email, work history, skills, education. It then compares your keywords against the job description. If your resume doesn't match enough required keywords or can't be parsed properly, it's filtered out before a recruiter ever sees it.

Can I check my resume for a specific role?

Yes. While this page checks any resume against any job description, we also have role-specific checkers with tailored keyword databases for roles like Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Product Manager, and more.

Is my resume stored after checking?

No. Privacy is our priority. We process your resume for analysis and immediately discard it. We do not store, share, or sell your resume data unless you explicitly save it to your account.

Which is the best ATS resume checker?

The best ATS resume checker accurately replicates how enterprise ATS systems parse resumes, provides detailed formatting feedback, and offers unlimited free checks. ResumeAdapter uses a structured data pipeline (CRDM) that parses resumes exactly like Workday, Greenhouse, and Lever do - not just basic text extraction. Unlike Jobscan or Resume Worded, we provide unlimited free checks with full analysis in 30 seconds.

How is ResumeAdapter different from Jobscan?

ResumeAdapter provides unlimited free ATS checks with no monthly limits, while Jobscan restricts free users to 1-3 scans per month. We also deliver results in 30 seconds (vs. 2-5 minutes) and use advanced parsing that detects formatting issues other checkers miss. Our structured data approach catches tables, columns, and graphics that silently block ATS parsing.

Will this work for my Canva resume?

Canva resumes often fail ATS parsing because they embed text as images and use tables/text boxes. Our checker will immediately flag these issues so you can fix them before applying. We recommend rebuilding your resume in Word or Google Docs using our ATS-friendly templates instead.

Trusted by 50,000+ job seekers

Free ATS Resume Checker
Get your score in 30 seconds.

Name: ResumeAdapter
Rating: 4.8 (1250 reviews)
Author: ResumeAdapter

Upload your resume and job description to get your complete ATS analysis. Compatibility score, missing keywords, formatting issues. See exactly how Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, and other ATS systems parse your resume.

Free foreverResults in 30 secondsPDF or DOCX

ATS compatibility score (0-100)

Missing keywords from the job posting

Formatting issues causing rejection

Works for all industries and roles

Compatibility

Works with the ATS software employers actually use

Our parser replicates how these enterprise ATS systems read your resume. If it passes our check, it'll pass theirs.

Workday

Greenhouse

Lever

iCIMS

Taleo

SAP SuccessFactors

Jobvite

SmartRecruiters

Bullhorn

JazzHR

BambooHR

Recruiterbox

+ Compatible with 100+ other ATS platforms used by Fortune 500 companies

Process

Check your resume
in three simple steps

Instant ATS analysis. No guessing. No wasted applications.

Upload your resume

~10s

Drag and drop your PDF or DOCX file. Our parser reads it the same way enterprise ATS systems like Workday, Greenhouse, and Lever do.

Get your ATS score

~20s

Paste the job description. We run 25+ ATS readability checks and return your match score, missing keywords, and formatting issues, ranked by impact.

Fix issues & re-check

~10s

Apply the recommended fixes, re-check until your score is above 80, then submit your application with confidence.

Intelligence

More than a checker. A resume intelligence engine.

We reverse-engineer how ATS systems read your resume, so you know exactly what to fix before you apply.

PARSING ERROR DETECTED

Table structure unreadable by ATS

Resume Parser Simulator

We parse your resume the same way Workday, Greenhouse, and Lever do. If tables, columns, or graphics are blocking your data, we catch it before employers do.

ATS Score Breakdown

Your resume score isn't just a number. We break it down into keyword match, formatting, and section completeness, so you know exactly what's dragging you down.

Keyword Gap Analysis

Paste the job description and we instantly show which keywords your resume is missing. Stop guessing what recruiters want.

Results

Real job seekers. Real results.

Our users aren't just improving their scores. They're landing interviews at companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and more.

58 → 89

Average Score Increase

After applying fixes from our checker

3.2x

More Interview Callbacks

Users with 80+ scores vs. below 60

50,000+

Job Seekers Helped

Landing interviews at top companies

Real score improvements in 30 seconds

Software Engineer

Before

→

After

"Found 12 missing keywords and 3 formatting issues blocking my resume"

Product Manager

Before

→

After

"Discovered my two-column layout was causing ATS parsing failures"

Data Analyst

Before

→

After

"Added role-specific keywords I didn't know recruiters were filtering for"

Find out in 30 seconds. Our ATS checker scans for all 5 critical errors plus 20+ other compatibility issues.

Best Practices

What makes a resume ATS-compatible

Follow these rules and stop getting filtered out before a human ever reads your resume.

Use Standard Section Headings

Use “Work Experience” not “My Journey”. Use “Education” not “Where I Learned”. ATS systems match exact headings.

SummaryExperienceEducationSkills

ATS-Safe Fonts Only

Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman at 11pt. Custom fonts render as garbled text in most ATS systems.

Single Column Layout

Two-column resumes look great but confuse parsers. Keep a linear, top-to-bottom reading flow.

No graphics, tables, or text boxes.

If your resume was built in Canva or has icons in the header, the ATS likely can't read it. Text must be selectable.

Graphics Rejected

Score Guide

What does your
ATS score mean?

Not all scores are equal. Here's how to read yours and what to do about it.

80–100Interview Ready

Your resume will pass most ATS filters. A recruiter will likely read it.

60–79Needs Improvement

You may pass some filters but will be ranked lower than optimized resumes. Fix the flagged issues.

Below 60Major Changes Needed

Your resume is likely being filtered out before a human ever sees it. Significant formatting or keyword work required.

Keyword Match

We scan the job posting and tell you exactly which keywords your resume is missing. No keyword, no match.

CRM experienceStakeholder managementBudget forecasting+ Add 'Salesforce'

Format & Structure Check

Is your resume using tables, text boxes, or a Canva template? We flag every formatting issue that will get you silently rejected.

Contact Info Parseable100%

Catches tables, columns, graphics that block parsing

Feature	ResumeAdapter	Jobscan / Resume Worded
ATS compatibility score
Keyword gap analysis
Formatting issue detection		Limited
Section-by-section breakdown
Parsing confidence scoring
Unlimited free checks
Average analysis time	30 seconds	2-5 minutes