The best free fonts for resumes and CVs

When crafting a resume or CV, choosing the right font is crucial for readability, professionalism, and ensuring your document survives Applicant Tracking S

What makes a font good for resumes and CVs?

A good resume font should be clean, professional, and easy to read. It should have a clear x-height, which is the height of lowercase letters, to ensure readability. Additionally, the font should have moderate contrast, meaning the difference between thick and thin strokes should not be too extreme. This balance helps maintain readability both on screen and in print. Fonts with multiple weights (e.g., light, regular, bold) allow you to emphasize different sections of your resume effectively.

Inter: Known for its clarity and versatility, Inter is a great choice for digital and print resumes. Its wide range of weights makes it easy to create a structured and readable document.
Roboto: With its friendly and open appearance, Roboto is highly readable and works well for both text-heavy and bullet-point-heavy resumes.
Open Sans: This font is praised for its neutral yet friendly appearance, making it a safe and reliable choice for resumes.
Lato: Lato offers a warm and professional look, with a variety of weights that make it easy to emphasize important sections.

Fonts that survive ATS parsing

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by many companies to scan and parse resumes. Choosing a font that is ATS-friendly is key to ensure your resume is read correctly. Simple, standard fonts are generally the best choice. Here are some fonts that are known to parse well through ATS systems:

Source Sans Pro: This font is clean, simple, and highly readable, making it a great choice for ATS-friendly resumes.
IBM Plex Sans: With its modern and professional look, IBM Plex Sans is designed to be easily readable by both humans and machines.
Merriweather: While slightly more decorative, Merriweather is still simple enough to be parsed by ATS systems while adding a touch of personality.
Libre Franklin: This font is a versatile sans-serif that is both clean and professional, making it a solid choice for ATS-friendly resumes.

Fonts that print cleanly

with printing, you want a font that renders clearly and consistently. Fonts with a clear x-height and moderate contrast tend to print well. Here are some fonts that are known for their clean print rendering:

Playfair Display: This font is elegant and works well for headings, but it should be paired with a more readable body font like Open Sans or Lato.
Fraunces: With its high contrast and elegant serifs, Fraunces is a great choice for headings and titles, adding a touch of sophistication to your resume.
Merriweather: As mentioned earlier, Merriweather prints well and adds a touch of personality without sacrificing readability.
Libre Baskerville: This font is a classic serif that prints cleanly and adds a touch of traditional elegance to your resume.

Fonts for digital and print balance

Finding a font that works well both on screen and in print is ideal. Here are some fonts that strike a good balance between digital and print readability:

Inter: As mentioned earlier, Inter is versatile and works well in both digital and print formats.
Roboto: Roboto’s friendly and open appearance translates well to both screens and printed pages.
Open Sans: This font is a reliable choice for both digital and print, with its neutral and clean appearance.
Lato: Lato’s warm and professional look makes it a great choice for both digital and print resumes.

Fonts for specific industries

Depending on the industry you’re applying to, you might want to choose a font that reflects the nature of the work. Here are some recommendations:

Creative industries (e.g., graphic design, marketing): Consider using fonts like Fraunces or Merriweather for a touch of elegance and personality.
Technical industries (e.g., engineering, IT): Fonts like IBM Plex Sans and Source Sans Pro are clean and professional, making them ideal for technical fields.
Traditional industries (e.g., law, finance): Libre Baskerville or Playfair Display can add a touch of traditional elegance to your resume.
Education and non-profit: Open Sans and Lato are friendly and professional, making them suitable for these fields.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best font size for a resume?

The ideal font size for a resume is typically between 10 and 12 points. For headings, you can use a larger size, such as 14 to 16 points, to make them stand out.

Can I use multiple fonts in my resume?

Yes, using multiple fonts can add visual interest to your resume. However, it’s important to use them sparingly. A common approach is to use one font for headings and another for body text. Make sure the fonts complement each other and maintain readability.

Are there any fonts I should avoid using in my resume?

Avoid using overly decorative or script fonts, as they can be difficult to read and may not parse well through ATS systems. Additionally, steer clear of using too many different fonts, as this can make your resume look cluttered and unprofessional.

How can I ensure my resume is ATS-friendly?

To ensure your resume is ATS-friendly, use a simple, standard font like those mentioned in this article. Also, avoid using tables, images, and unusual formatting, as these can confuse ATS systems. Stick to a clean, structured layout with clear headings and bullet points.