How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? (By Country)
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A cover letter should usually be 250 to 400 words, which fits on one page in three or four short paragraphs. Shorter letters of about 150 to 250 words suit India, the Gulf and any letter sent in an email body, while formal markets such as Germany expect a full, carefully structured page. Always follow a stated limit in the job ad.
Key takeaways
- One page is the upper limit almost everywhere; most good letters are well under it.
- 250 to 400 words is the common range for the US, UK, Canada, Ireland and Australia.
- India and the Gulf generally favour shorter, direct letters of around 150 to 300 words.
- A cover letter in the body of an email should be shorter than an attached letter.
- If an application form sets a word or character limit, that limit overrides any general advice.
- Cut repetition of your resume first, then generic claims, then long openings.
Why length matters
A recruiter often reads a cover letter alongside your resume, and usually quickly. A letter that is too long hides your strongest point in the middle of a dense page. A letter that is too short, such as two lines saying "Please find my resume attached", tells the reader nothing about why you want this particular job. The right length gives you space for three things: who you are and the role you are applying for, one or two pieces of evidence that you can do the job, and a clear close. Anything beyond that needs to earn its place.
Cover letter length by country
The figures below are typical ranges based on common hiring practice, not fixed rules. Employers, industries and seniority levels vary, and a specific instruction in the job ad always comes first. For layout, salutation and sign-off details, see the country pages linked in the table.
| Country | Typical length | Norms worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 250 to 400 words, one page | Three or four paragraphs. Direct, achievement-focused tone. No photo or personal details. |
| United Kingdom | 250 to 400 words, one page | Formal but plain English. Match the sign-off to the greeting: "Yours sincerely" for a named reader, "Yours faithfully" for "Dear Sir or Madam". |
| Canada | 250 to 400 words, one page | Similar to the US. Mention work authorisation briefly if relevant. French may be expected for roles in Quebec. |
| Australia | 250 to 400 words, up to one page | Friendly, straightforward tone. Public sector roles may ask for a separate statement addressing selection criteria, which follows its own length rules. |
| India | 150 to 300 words | Often sent as an email body or pasted into a portal. Keep it short, mention notice period or availability if asked. |
| UAE and the Gulf | 150 to 300 words | Concise and polite. Mention visa status and availability to join where relevant, as recruiters often ask early. |
| Singapore | 200 to 350 words | Short and factual. Work pass status is often worth a brief mention for international applicants. |
| Ireland | 250 to 400 words, one page | Close to UK norms. Keep it formal and specific to the employer. |
| Germany | One full A4 page | Formal structure with sender and recipient blocks, date and a subject line. Precise, factual writing; avoid casual phrasing. |
If you are applying across borders, write for the country where the job is based, not the country you are applying from. A letter for a role in Dubai should follow Gulf expectations even if you are based in India.
Email body versus attached letter
How you send the letter changes how long it should be.
Cover letter in the email body
When the email itself is your cover letter, aim for roughly 100 to 200 words. People read email on phones, often between other tasks. Use a clear subject line with the job title and your name, a one-line greeting, two or three short paragraphs and a sign-off with your phone number. Attach your resume as a PDF and mention it in the text.
Attached cover letter
When the job ad asks for a cover letter as a separate document, use the fuller range for that country, usually up to one page. The email that carries it can then be very short: two or three sentences saying which role you are applying for and what is attached.
Application portal text boxes
Many online forms have a cover letter field with a word or character limit. Treat that limit as the correct length. If there is no limit, stay around the attached-letter range for the country, and paste plain text so line breaks and special characters do not break.
Do not send the same long letter both in the email body and as an attachment. Pick one, based on what the employer asked for.
How to structure a one-page letter
A simple four-part structure keeps almost any letter within range:
- Opening (two or three sentences). The role you are applying for, where you saw it, and one line on why you fit.
- Evidence (one or two short paragraphs). One or two achievements that match the job's main requirements, with a result where you can.
- Motivation (two or three sentences). Why this employer or this role, based on something specific rather than general praise.
- Close (one or two sentences). Your availability, a thank-you and how to reach you.
If you want a first draft to edit, our cover letter generator produces a structured letter you can shorten or expand for your target country. For finished samples by role, browse our cover letter examples, and for general layout rules, see the main cover letter format guide.
What to cut when your letter is too long
If your draft runs past one page or well over the range for your country, cut in this order:
- Anything that repeats your resume. The letter should explain and connect, not list every job again. Pick the one or two most relevant points.
- Generic claims. Lines such as "I am a quick learner with excellent communication skills" add length but little proof. Replace them with one example or remove them.
- Long openings. Skip introductions about how you found the company or your life story. Get to the role in the first sentence.
- Extra achievements. Three strong examples are rarely better than two. Keep the ones closest to the job's stated requirements.
- Filler phrases. "I would like to take this opportunity to" can usually become "I".
- Salary history and reasons for leaving. Unless the ad asks, these belong in a later conversation.
Read the final version aloud. If a sentence does not help the reader decide to interview you, remove it.
When a longer letter is acceptable
Some applications reasonably need more than a page: academic and research posts, some senior public sector roles and positions where the ad explicitly asks you to address each requirement. In those cases, follow the instructions exactly, use headings or numbered points that match the criteria, and keep each point tight. Length should come from the number of questions you are answering, not from longer sentences.
Frequently asked questions
Is a half-page cover letter too short?
Not necessarily. A focused half page of around 200 words can work well, especially in India, the Gulf or in an email body. It is too short only if it fails to name the role and give at least one concrete reason you fit.
Can a cover letter be two pages?
For most private sector jobs, no. Keep it to one page. Two pages are acceptable only when the employer asks you to address detailed selection criteria, or for some academic and research roles where longer statements are normal.
How long should an email cover letter be?
Aim for roughly 100 to 200 words in two or three short paragraphs. Use a clear subject line with the job title, attach your resume as a PDF and include your phone number in the sign-off.
Does cover letter length change with experience?
Slightly. Senior candidates may use the upper end of the range for their country, but the one-page limit still applies. More experience means choosing stronger examples, not adding more of them.