Word Counter for Cover Letters

Hiring managers spend an average of 30 seconds to one minute reading a cover letter. If yours runs too long, they will not finish it. If it is too short, it looks like you did not make an effort. The sweet spot is 250–400 words — roughly three to four paragraphs.

Our word counter lets you track your cover letter length as you write. Paste your draft and instantly see whether you are within the recommended range. No sign-up, no distractions.

Career experts and hiring managers consistently recommend keeping cover letters to one page or less — roughly 250 to 400 words. This gives you enough space for an engaging opening paragraph, one to two paragraphs demonstrating your fit for the role, and a confident closing with a call to action.

Cover letters that exceed 500 words risk losing the reader's attention. Recruiters reviewing dozens or hundreds of applications per day will skim or skip letters that feel like essays. On the other hand, letters under 200 words may feel like an afterthought and fail to make a compelling case.

The exception is academic cover letters, which are typically longer (one to two pages) and expected to cover research interests, teaching philosophy, and publication highlights. For these, 600–1,000 words is more appropriate. Use the word counter to find the right length for your specific field.