What fonts are safest for ATS in 2026?

The safest ATS fonts are Arial, Calibri, Verdana, Georgia, Tahoma, and Helvetica. These standard fonts parse correctly across all major ATS systems (Workday, Taleo, Greenhouse, Lever). Avoid decorative, script, or uncommon fonts.

What font size should I use for my resume?

Body text: 10-12pt. Section headers: 12-14pt. Your name: 16-20pt. Below 10pt causes ATS parsing errors and is hard to read. Above 12pt for body text wastes space. Stick to a consistent hierarchy.

Should I use serif or sans-serif fonts?

Both work for ATS. Sans-serif (Arial, Calibri, Verdana) look cleaner on screen. Serif (Georgia, Times New Roman) feel more traditional. Pick one and stick with it throughout — font mixing looks unprofessional.

Does font color affect ATS parsing?

ATS reads plain text regardless of color. But colored text (light gray, blue) may not be captured correctly if the ATS converts to plain text. Stick to black for body text for maximum ATS compatibility.

Can I use font icons or symbols on my resume?

Avoid icons, symbols, emoji, and special characters. ATS systems can't parse them and they appear as garbled text or blank spaces. Stick to plain text for all content.

What's the best line spacing for ATS resumes?

1.0 to 1.15 line spacing. Double spacing wastes valuable one-page space. Tight but readable spacing (1.0-1.08) helps keep your resume to one page while maintaining ATS readability.

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StylingCV guide

Resume Fonts and Design ATS: 2026 Guide to Pass Automated Screening

Name: StylingCV
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Rating: 4.8 (37369 reviews)
Author: StylingCV

Resume fonts and design ATS guide for 2026. Learn which fonts pass automated screening, avoid design mistakes, and create an ATS‑friendly resume with StylingCV’s AI. 95% ATS pass rate. Build free.

Last updated September 27, 2026

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