Cover letter length: how long should it actually be?

The target: 250-400 words, three to four short paragraphs

A cover letter that fits comfortably on well under one page, in the range of 250-400 words, is the sweet spot for 2026 hiring norms. This is long enough to make a real case for yourself, but short enough that a recruiter reading quickly can get through the whole thing rather than skimming and stopping halfway.

Why shorter generally beats longer

Hiring managers and recruiters are typically reviewing a stack of applications in a limited window of time. A cover letter that runs past one page is more likely to be skimmed rather than read, which defeats the purpose — the strongest point buried in paragraph five may never be seen at all. A tighter letter forces you to lead with your best material instead of hoping it gets found further down.

A structure that naturally keeps it short

• Opening (1-2 sentences): the role you're applying for and one specific, genuine reason you want it.
• Body paragraph 1 (3-4 sentences): your strongest, most relevant achievement, with a number or concrete outcome if possible.
• Body paragraph 2 (2-3 sentences): a second relevant strength, or how your background specifically fits what the posting is asking for.
• Closing (1-2 sentences): a confident, direct call to action — that you'd welcome the chance to discuss further.

Following this structure naturally lands most letters in the 250-400 word range without needing to count words as you write.

What to cut first if your draft is running long

• Restating your whole CV — the cover letter should add context to one or two highlights, not repeat the whole work history.
• Generic praise of the company — vague lines like "I've always admired your innovative culture" add length without adding value; cut or replace with something specific.
• A third or fourth example — one or two strong, specific examples beat four generic ones; cut the weakest examples first.
• Overly formal throat-clearing — opening sentences like "I am writing to express my interest in..." can usually be cut entirely and replaced with a more direct opening line.

When a slightly longer letter is justified

Senior or executive-level applications, academic positions, and some grant or fellowship applications sometimes expect a longer, more detailed letter — occasionally up to a full page or slightly beyond. If the job posting or the norms of your specific field suggest more depth is expected, it's reasonable to go a bit longer, but the core principle still holds: every added sentence should earn its place rather than pad the length.

FAQ

Is a one-page cover letter too long?

No — one page is the natural upper limit for almost every application, and most effective cover letters actually land shorter than a full page, around 250-400 words.

What's the first thing to cut if my cover letter is too long?

Cut anything that restates your CV or offers generic, non-specific praise of the company — those add length without adding anything a recruiter hasn't already seen or doesn't already expect.