Best Resume Fonts for 2025: Types, Styles & Examples

Choosing the Best Resume Fonts for 2025

Selecting the right font for your resume might seem like a minor detail, but it significantly impacts how your application is perceived. Your font choice influences readability, projects professionalism, and contributes to the overall visual appeal of your document. The optimal font will vary depending on the specific industry and other factors.

Consider that your resume might be overlooked if the font is difficult to read or doesn't align with the industry's expectations.

The font you select is more than just a design element; it can determine whether Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can accurately scan your resume and whether recruiters can easily read it. A well-crafted resume utilizes a font that is both professional and easy on the eyes, allowing your qualifications to stand out.

Here, we'll explore how your resume's font impacts its readability and professionalism. You'll also discover top font choices for various industries, along with actionable tips and examples to guide your selection and formatting process, ensuring your design enhances the overall presentation.

Do you want to create a resume with industry-leading fonts that are ATS-compatible, all without manual formatting? Consider using Minova's AI Resume Builder.

Why Your Resume Font Matters

The font you choose shapes how employers view you as a candidate. It influences both readability and the perception of professionalism, ultimately affecting the overall impression your resume makes. Different fonts evoke different feelings, much like the tone of voice in a conversation. Some are assertive, others are sleek and modern, while some come across as more traditional.

Selecting a font is an extension of your communication style. It's an opportunity to showcase your personality. The right font ensures your skills and experience are conveyed clearly and effectively to those reviewing your application.

What Font Should You Use?

As with many aspects of resume creation, there isn't a single "best" font. The ideal choice depends on the industry you're targeting, the specific job you're seeking, and your personal style.

Certain fonts are well-suited for creative fields, while others are more appropriate for traditional sectors. Prioritize a font that is clear, professional, and relevant to your field. It should make your resume easy to read without being distracting. The best font enhances your message rather than overshadowing it.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Font

Several factors should influence your font selection. Your choice can significantly impact how potential employers view your application, making it important to make an informed decision.

Industry Considerations

Different industries have different standards for resume presentation. Creative fields like marketing or advertising often embrace more visually interesting fonts, while traditional industries such as finance, law, and healthcare typically prefer more formal, classic options.

Job Type

Your font choice should align with both the specific role and the company culture. Entry-level positions might be well-suited to simple, clean fonts, while senior roles might benefit from more sophisticated options. Tech companies and startups often favor modern, sans-serif fonts, whereas more conservative organizations tend to prefer classic, time-tested choices. Consistency is key for a polished and cohesive look.

Personal Branding

The font you choose can also reinforce your professional identity. If you aim to project an image of innovation and creativity, a modern or slightly unconventional font might be a good fit. If you want to emphasize reliability and expertise, a traditional, widely recognized font is likely more appropriate. While your font should complement your personal brand, never compromise readability for style. A font that is difficult to read will not serve you well, regardless of how stylish it is.

How to Select the Right Font

Your resume font should be easy to read and consistent with industry standards. Understanding the differences between font styles can help you make the best decision.

Serif vs. Sans-Serif

When choosing a font, it's important to understand the distinction between serif and sans-serif fonts. These are the most widely accepted and professional options.

Serif Fonts: These fonts have small lines or strokes attached to the ends of letters. They are often perceived as more traditional and formal and are commonly used in industries like finance, law, and education, where professionalism and reliability are paramount. Popular examples include Times New Roman, Georgia, and Garamond.

Why choose a serif typeface?

• Classic and professional
• Generally easy to read

Sans-Serif Fonts: As the name suggests, these fonts lack the small lines at the ends of letters, giving them a cleaner, more modern appearance. They are often used in tech, design, and creative industries, where a minimalist aesthetic is valued. Common examples include Arial, Helvetica, and Calibri.

Why choose a modern sans-serif typeface?

• Modern and clean
• Legible on screens

Finding the Right Font Size

Choosing the appropriate font size is just as important as the font itself. The ideal range is between 10 and 12 points, which ensures readability without sacrificing a professional appearance.

For the main body of your resume, a font size of 10 or 11 points is recommended. To make your headings and name stand out, you can increase the font size to 12 points. This subtle difference adds emphasis without being overwhelming.

Avoid using anything smaller than 10 points, as this can make your resume difficult to read. Prioritize clarity and readability to make a positive impression.

Top Fonts for Resumes in 2025

Here are some of the best font choices for your resume to ensure it appears polished, modern, and easy to read.

Times New Roman: This classic serif font is often used for resumes due to its traditional and professional look. It is easy to read both on paper and on screens, making it a safe choice.

Pros: Widely recognized, easily readable, and relatively compact, allowing you to fit more information on a page.

Cons: Can appear generic due to its widespread use.

Arial: A sans-serif font known for its clean and modern appearance. It is familiar to many readers, making your resume accessible to a wide audience.

Pros: Legible, modern, and professional, helping recruiters quickly scan your resume.

Cons: May not have the unique look that some other fonts offer.

Calibri: Another sans-serif font with a clean and modern design. It has a contemporary look that is appealing.

Pros: Designed specifically for on-screen reading, making it highly legible even at smaller sizes. It is also included on most modern computers and devices.

Cons: Very popular, so it might not help your resume stand out.

Alternative Font Choices

While classic fonts like Arial and Times New Roman are reliable options, there are other fonts to consider if you want to stand out while maintaining professionalism.

Professional Font Options

These fonts are trusted, time-tested, and convey reliability and competence.

Traditional and commonly used fonts include:

• Times New Roman
• Arial
• Calibri
• Georgia
• Helvetica
• Garamond
• Verdana
• Cambria
• Book Antiqua
• Century Gothic
• Palatino Linotype
• Tahoma
• Franklin Gothic Medium
• Lucida Sans
• Trebuchet MS

These fonts are generally available in Google Docs and Microsoft Word.

Creative Font Options

If you're applying for a role in graphic design, marketing, or another creative field, you can experiment with less traditional fonts.

Here are some options to consider:

• Didot
• Lato
• Montserrat
• Raleway
• Muna
• Rollo
• Roboto
• Poppins
• Proxima Nova
• Playfair Display
• Open Sans
• Madley
• Swifted
• Museo Sans
• Bebas Neue
• Futura
• Jeko
• Avenir

ATS-Friendly Font Options

When optimizing your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), choose fonts that are both professional and scannable.

Consider these fonts to ensure your resume is readable by both hiring managers and ATS software:

• Arial
• Calibri
• Times New Roman
• Georgia
• Roboto
• Open Sans
• Poppins
• Tahoma

Fonts to Avoid

Certain fonts can detract from your resume's effectiveness. Avoid fonts that make your resume appear unprofessional or difficult to read.

• Comic Sans: Often perceived as unprofessional and even comical.
• Overly Thick Fonts: Can make your resume look cluttered and hard to read. Examples include Impact, Arial Black, and Rockwell Extra Bold.
• Thin Fonts: Can be difficult to read, especially in smaller sizes. Examples include Helvetica Light, Arial Narrow, and Century Gothic Light.
• Italicized or Heavily Leaning Fonts: Reduce legibility and give your resume a less formal appearance. Examples include Zapf Chancery, Brush Script, and Monotype Corsiva.
• Cursive Fonts: Difficult to read in large blocks of text and can appear too informal. Examples include Brush Script, Pacifico, and Freestyle Script.
• Handwritten Fonts: Lack the formality needed for a resume and can be hard to read. Examples include Bradley Hand ITC, Caveat, and Lucida Handwriting.

How to Optimize Your Font and Formatting

Choosing the right font and formatting it correctly is essential. With many companies using applicant tracking systems (ATS), your font must be both ATS-friendly and visually appealing to recruiters.

• Use a Professional, Readable Font: Your font creates the first impression. Choose clean, professional fonts like Roboto, Times New Roman, Poppins, and Helvetica.
• Use the Correct Font Size: Stick to a font size between 10 and 12 points for the main text. Use 12-14 points for your name and headings.
• Start with a Template: Templates ensure font consistency. Minova's Resume Builder lets you choose from professional fonts, ensuring correct formatting and ATS optimization.

Benefits of using a template:

• Templates maintain uniformity in font size and style.

• Pre-set fonts save time.

• Templates limit manual formatting.

• Spacing: Proper spacing enhances readability.

  • Letter spacing: Slightly increase spacing for better readability.
  • Line spacing: Use 1.15 to 1.5 spacing for a clean format.

• Bold and Italics: Use bold and italic fonts sparingly to highlight key information.

• Margins: Use one-inch margins on all sides to give your fonts enough space.

• Colors: Use neutral or dark tones for the main text. If you use color, limit it to your name or headings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a font suitable for a resume in 2025?

A suitable font should be clean, professional, and easy to read in both digital and printed formats. It should have a modern aesthetic without sacrificing readability and should be widely available across different word processing software.

Can using a unique font help me stand out?

While a unique font can make your resume stand out, prioritize legibility and professionalism. Stick to fonts that are distinctive yet appropriate for a business setting.

How many different fonts should I use?

It's best to use no more than two different fonts to maintain a clean and cohesive look.

What are popular resume fonts?

Popular choices include Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, and Helvetica.

Is 10-point font too small?

A 10-point font is generally acceptable, but anything smaller can be hard to read. It’s best to use 10-12 points for the main text.