In the sea of job applications, small details can make a big difference. One of the easiest ways to improve your CV instantly is by choosing the right font—especially if you’re using a good cv maker that lets you customise your style. It’s a subtle change, but can boost readability and give your CV a polished, professional look.
So what fonts are best to use for your CV? We’ll take you through the top choices and offer tips on how to choose the best font for a CV, ensuring that you quickly impress hiring managers with your skills, style, and organization.
What font should a CV be in?
There’s no one perfect font for a CV, but some font options stand out more than others for their clarity and professionalism.
Here are some of the widely available best fonts to use for a CV in the UK:
- Arial
- Calibri
- Cambria
- Garamond
- Gill Sans
- Helvetica
- Roboto
- Times New Roman
- Trebuchet MS
- Verdana
When applying for jobs, it’s important to use a clean, professional, and easy-to-read font on your CV. A well-chosen font keeps the employer’s attention on your experience and qualifications, rather than distracting with unusual or decorative typefaces.
Your font choice should also be compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS), which many UK employers use to automatically scan and shortlist CVs. Using an ATS-friendly font improves your chances of ‘beating the bots’ and getting through to the next stage of the hiring process.
Match your cover letter and CV fonts
The same principles for your CV also apply to your cover letter. Consistency in font and style across both documents helps reinforce a professional and polished impression.
For more detailed information, check out our article on how to format a cover letter.
Should you use a serif or sans serif CV font?
Not sure whether to use a serif or sans serif font on your CV? Here’s a quick breakdown to help you choose the right style for your application:
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Serif fonts (e.g., Cambria, Times New Roman)
These fonts have decorative strokes added to their letters. They give a more classic, traditional feel and tend to work well for printed CVs or roles in more formal industries. -
Sans serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri)
Simple and modern, sans serif have no decorative elements. They’re easy to read on screens, making them ideal for digital applications and suitable for most job types.
Both serif and sans serif fonts are perfectly acceptable fonts for a CV in the UK—it really comes down to the style that best suits your industry and how your CV will be viewed. Whichever you choose, it’s a good idea to export or print out a copy to double check font readability.
Top 10 best fonts for a CV
Wondering which font will make your CV stand out? Here’s a comparison of the best fonts for CVs, each with their own pros and cons:
1. Arial
Arial is a popular, minimal sans serif font that is modern and clean. There is a reason it’s top of our list as it’s a solid, professional choice for almost any role.
The only downside is that, because it is a firm favourite, it might not help your CV stand out from the crowd.
2. Calibri
With soft, rounded curves, Calibri is a modern and professional sans serif font. It’s legible and clear, whether your CV is being viewed on screen or in a printed version.
Similar to Arial, it’s very popular, which means it might not be the most distinctive.
3. Cambria
Cambria is a serif font that strikes a good balance between traditional and modern styling. Its square, angular lettering gives a professional feel and allows for a smaller size font on your CV to help you maximise space.
This font may not be the best option for creative industries as it is more formal looking.
4. Garamond
Designed by Claude Garamond and dating back to the 16th century, this elegant serif font adds a classic touch and is one of the more distinctive font choices.
It reads beautifully on paper, but can be less clear and readable on screens, especially in smaller CV font sizes.
5. Gill Sans
This is an iconic British sans serif font, widely recognised and associated with institutions like the London Underground and BBC. It conveys a sophisticated and professional image, perfect if you want your CV to get noticed.
However, its distinctive style may not be suitable for all industries, particularly those favouring more traditional fonts.
6. Helvetica
Helvetica is known for exceptional clarity—perfect when recruiters only spend seconds scanning your CV. Its clean, neutral style makes it a popular font choice for CVs.
Helvetica comes preloaded on macOS computers, but isn't included in the default fonts on Windows computers and MS Word, so you may need to buy it first.
Experiment with different font styles on resume.io
Our advanced CV Builder comes preloaded with the best CV fonts. While each template has a default font, you can easily change this to the style you want, whether you’re aiming for clean and modern, or traditional and formal. If you’re looking for a well-designed cv template, this tool offers a great starting point to customise your layout and fonts.
7. Roboto
Roboto is a modern sans serif font known for its clean lines and excellent readability. Popular in tech and digital industries, it offers a contemporary look and feel.
However, its modern style may not align with the expectations of more traditional sectors.
8. Times New Roman
A timeless classic! This serif font exudes tradition and is ideal for professions in fields such as law, academia, and finance, where formality is paramount.
However, it can be less legible on digital screens and is sometimes viewed as outdated, overused, or a little boring.
9. Trebuchet MS
Distinctive and clean, this sans serif font offers a fresh alternative to Arial. Its unique design can make your CV appear more friendly and approachable.
Its readability on computer screens is usually pretty good, but some recruiters might find its narrow letters harder to read than other fonts.
10. Verdana
Designed for optimal on-screen readability, Verdana's wide spacing and clear characters are optimised for legibility, while conveying a professional style.
However, it can also be seen as somewhat generic and uninspired, so it's a safe but not particularly exciting choice.
Tips for choosing the best font for a CV
Still unsure of what font to use for your CV? Ask yourself the following questions to help guide your font selection:
- Is it clear and easy to read? Your CV should be visually accessible at a glance. If the font appears cluttered or cramped—especially in bullet-pointed sections—it might be too difficult to scan quickly.
- Does it look professional both on screen and in print? While most applications are now submitted digitally, it’s still a good idea to bring printed copies to interviews or networking events. Ensure that your chosen font is equally effective in both formats.
- Is it suitable for your industry or field? Your CV font should reflect the tone of your profession. Sleek, modern fonts, such as Roboto or Helvetica, often suit roles in tech or creative startups. In contrast, more traditional sectors may call for classic, universally accepted fonts like Arial or Calibri.
What CV fonts to avoid
Not every font works well on a CV. Decorative, playful, or themed styles can come across as unprofessional and distract from what really matters—your qualifications. Cursive or script-style fonts are best avoided too, as they are usually difficult to read.
In general, avoid using these fonts on your CV:
- Bradley Hand
- Brush Script
- Cavolini
- Comic Sans
- Curlz MT
- Impact
- Jokerman
- Mistral
- Old English
- Papyrus
For more in-depth tips and advice on crafting your CV, read our article on how to write a CV.
What size font should a CV be in?
Your CV font size is just as crucial as your font choice. If the text is too large, you’ll struggle to fit all of the necessary detail in one or two pages; if it’s too small, it’ll become difficult for recruiters to read when scanning and reviewing your application.
As a general rule, stick to a 10pt to 12pt font size for the main body of your CV. For section headings or your name at the top, increase the size by around 4pts to 6pts to help key details stand out. This creates a clear hierarchy and makes your CV easier to navigate.
Whatever CV font sizes you choose, keep them consistent throughout. A tidy and uniform layout not only looks more professional, but also improves readability.
Why choosing the right CV font is important
Choosing the best font for your CV might seem like a minor detail, but it can make a significant difference. Before a recruiter reads a single word, they’ll already be forming an opinion based on the overall format of your CV—including your font choice and size.
A clean, well-designed, and easy-to-read font immediately communicates professionalism. It demonstrates to employers that you pay attention to detail and take pride in producing high-quality work. Moreover, the appropriate font ensures that your CV is accessible, allowing recruiters to concentrate on your skills and experience without any distractions.
