Is 500 words too long for a cover letter?

Yes, 500 words is too long. Recruiters often skip lengthy letters. Aim for 250–350 words to ensure it gets read.

Can a cover letter be one paragraph?

It can, but it might be too brief to be persuasive. A 3-paragraph structure (Hook, Pitch, Closing) is the gold standard.

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? (2026 Rules)

Part of our Cover Letter Hub — Complete guides for writing winning cover letters.

🚨 The Golden Rule: If it takes more than 45 seconds to read, it’s too long.

Recruiters are busy. They view applications on mobile phones and crowded inboxes. Brevity isn't just polite—it's strategic.

👉 Generate a perfectly-sized cover letter instantly

Or optimize your full application (resume + cover letter) in one tool.

The short answer: 200 to 350 words. (Or about half a page single-spaced).

If your letter spills onto Page 2, you have failed.

Cover Letter Length by Experience Level

One size does not fit all. Here is the breakdown:

Experience Level	Ideal Word Count	Why?
Entry Level / Intern	150–200 Words	You don't have a long history. Focus on passion and soft skills. Be punchy.
Mid-Level (3-7 Years)	250–300 Words	You have specific wins to highlight. Connect them directly to the job needs.
Senior / Executive	300–400 Words	You have a complex story and significant achievements to frame. Keep it high-level.

The "F-Shape" Reading Pattern

Studies show recruiters scan text in an "F-shape" pattern. They read the top heavily, scan the left side, and skim the rest.

How to optimize for skimming:

Short Paragraphs: No more than 3-4 sentences chunks.
Bullet Points: Use them for achievements (e.g., "• Increased revenue by 20%").
Bold Keywords: Bold 1-2 critical skills (e.g., "Project Management").

Signs Your Cover Letter is Too Long

It looks like a wall of text (no white space).
You are re-telling your entire life story.
You are repeating every bullet point from your resume.
You used font size 10 to make it fit. (Please don't do this).

💡 Fix It Fast: Paste your draft into our Cover Letter Generator. It will reformat and condense your experience into a punchy, professional narrative.

When Short is Too Short

A generic "Here is my resume, please hire me" is worse than nothing. It signals laziness.

Your letter must answer three "Whys":

Why this company?
Why this role?
Why you?

If you can't answer those in 200 words, you aren't being specific enough.

Stop counting words and start making them count.

👉 Build Your Concise, High-Impact Cover Letter