Formatting your resume the wrong way can get it instantly rejected by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Many job seekers don’t realize that tables, graphics, columns, and even font choices can break ATS parsing and cost them interviews. In this guide, you’ll learn how to format your resume for ATS success in 2025—down to the best fonts, margins, line spacing, and layout choices.
Why ATS Resume Formatting Matters
Most companies use ATS software to scan and filter resumes before a human ever sees them. These systems extract data like job titles, skills, and education using basic rules. Poor formatting can:
- Make your resume unreadable by the ATS
- Misplace or lose important sections
- Result in an empty or broken candidate profile
📉 More than 70% of resumes are rejected due to formatting or keyword mismatches
✅ ATS-Friendly Resume Formatting Checklist
| Element | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Font Type | Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Verdana, Georgia |
| Font Size | 11–12 pt body text, 14–16 pt section headings |
| Line Spacing | 1.0 to 1.15 for readability |
| Margins | 0.75″ to 1″ on all sides |
| Layout | Single column only |
| File Format | .docx or ATS-safe PDF |
1. Best Fonts for ATS Compatibility
Use clean, standard system fonts that ATS systems can parse without issue:
- ✅ Good Fonts: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, Times New Roman, Verdana
- ❌ Avoid: Comic Sans, Courier, Garamond, custom or script fonts
🛠️ Tip: Use bold and all-caps sparingly—for section headers only
2. Ideal Font Sizes
- Body Text: 11 or 12 pt
- Section Headings: 14–16 pt
- Name (Header): 18–22 pt (optional)
Too small = hard to read. Too large = ATS misreads spacing.
3. Proper Margins for ATS Resumes
- Use 0.75″ to 1″ on all sides
- Avoid using narrow margins below 0.5″—some ATS tools clip content
📏 Consistent spacing between sections improves readability
4. ATS-Friendly Resume Layout
- Stick to a single-column layout
- Do not use:
- Text boxes
- Tables or columns
- Graphics or logos
- Icons or visual skill bars
✅ Instead:
- Use standard section headers like:
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
5. File Format: DOCX vs PDF
- .DOCX (Microsoft Word) is the most widely accepted and ATS-safe format
- PDF is okay if the job post accepts it—but make sure it’s not image-based
- ❌ Do not upload .pages, .odt, or Canva-based resumes
✅ Use our ATS Resume AI tool to check file compatibility before submitting
Common Formatting Mistakes That Break ATS Parsing
❌ Using tables to align dates and job titles
❌ Putting your name/contact info in headers or footers
❌ Using special symbols (☑, ➤, ★)
❌ Saving your resume as an image-based PDF or screenshot
❌ Using multiple columns or sidebars
Example: ATS-Friendly vs. ATS-Blocked Resume
❌ Bad:
- Two-column layout with icons and skill bars
- Fonts: Garamond + script headings
- Tables for layout
✅ Good:
- Single-column format
- Calibri, 11 pt body, 14 pt headings
- Standard section names
- No graphics, all text is selectable
Want to Make Sure Your Resume is ATS-Compatible?
Instead of guessing, use our ATS Resume AI tool to:
- Check formatting for ATS compatibility
- Scan for font issues and layout problems
- Score your resume for job match
- Automatically rewrite your resume to meet formatting + keyword requirements
👉 Scan and Optimize Your Resume Now →
FAQ: ATS Resume Formatting
Q: Can I use bold or italics?
A: Yes, but use sparingly. Avoid underlining. Bold is best for headings and job titles.
Q: Are Canva resumes ATS-friendly?
A: Usually not. Most use columns and graphics that break ATS parsing.
Q: Can I use color?
A: Light use of black, dark gray, or navy blue for section headers is acceptable. Avoid backgrounds and images.
Q: Should I use bullet points?
A: Yes! Use simple round or dash bullets (• or –). Avoid arrows or checkboxes.
Internal Resources to Help You Format Your Resume
- 👉 Download ATS-Friendly Resume Templates →
- 👉 Complete ATS Resume Optimization Guide →
- 👉 Compare Resume Optimizer Tools →
Final Tips
✅ Stick to simple, clean design
✅ Avoid elements that confuse parsing tools
✅ Use standard fonts, spacing, and headers
✅ Use an ATS checker before applying
🎯 Want to be sure your resume formatting is perfect?
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