Should a UK cover letter be one page?

Yes, one A4 page is the standard. At 11pt or 12pt font with normal margins, that accommodates roughly 300 to 450 words. Going onto a second page is generally seen as a signal that the candidate has not edited their work, which is not a first impression you want to make.

Does cover letter length matter if I am applying through an online ATS portal?

It matters differently. When your cover letter is pasted into a plain text box, visual formatting is stripped away, so a very long letter becomes a wall of text. Aim for the shorter end of the range — around 250 to 300 words — and use short paragraphs with clear line breaks to keep it readable.

What if the job advert does not mention a cover letter at all?

If there is a free-text field or an option to attach a document, include one. A well-written, concise cover letter still differentiates you in a competitive UK market, even when it is optional. Keep it to 250 words and focus entirely on the specific role and company — not a general introduction to yourself.

How do I know if my cover letter is the right length before I submit?

Paste it into a Word document at 12pt font with standard margins and check that it sits comfortably on one page with some white space at the bottom. Then read it aloud — if you find yourself losing track of the point, or if it takes more than 90 seconds to read, it is too long. Cut the weakest paragraph first.

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be in the UK? (With Examples)

Updated 4 July 2026

A UK cover letter should be 250 to 400 words, fitting on a single A4 page with standard margins. Three focused paragraphs is the norm: why this role, why you are the right fit, and a clear call to action. Anything longer risks losing the reader before they reach your strongest point. Anything shorter risks looking like you couldn't be bothered.

The UK standard: one page, three paragraphs

UK hiring managers and recruiters read a high volume of applications, particularly in sectors like finance, law, the Civil Service, and tech. A one-page cover letter is the broadly accepted norm across these sectors. That translates to roughly 250 to 400 words at a readable font size (11pt or 12pt). Some senior roles in academia or the public sector may warrant up to 500 words, but that is the ceiling, not the target.

Tip

If you are applying through an ATS (applicant tracking system) that pastes your cover letter into a text box, aim for the lower end of this range — 250 to 300 words. Dense text in a plain text field reads badly and often gets skimmed or skipped entirely.

Why shorter almost always wins

A common mistake among UK job seekers is treating the cover letter as a second CV — recapping every role, listing skills already visible on the CV, and adding context that was not asked for. Recruiters do not need a narrative version of your work history. They need to know three things quickly: what you want, what you bring, and that you have done your homework on the company. A focused 300-word letter that answers those three questions outperforms a detailed 700-word one every time.

There is also a practical reason to keep it tight. Most UK recruiters spend a matter of seconds on an initial cover letter scan before deciding whether to read on. A letter that leads with a clear, confident opening line earns more of that time than one that opens with 'I am writing to apply for the position of...' — a phrase so overused it has become invisible.

Ideal cover letter structure for UK applications

Opening paragraph (2–3 sentences): State the role you are applying for and lead with your most relevant credential or a specific reason you want this company in particular. Avoid generic openers.
Middle paragraph (4–6 sentences): Make the case for fit. Pick two or three concrete examples from your experience that map directly to what the job description asks for. Quantify where you can — numbers, scope, outcomes.
Closing paragraph (2–3 sentences): Express genuine interest in the next step. Keep it direct. Something like 'I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further' is perfectly professional without being sycophantic.

Cover letter length by role type

Role type	Recommended length	Notes
Graduate or entry-level	200–300 words	Less experience means less to say — do not pad it out. Focus on transferable skills and enthusiasm.
Mid-career professional	300–400 words	The sweet spot for most UK applications. Enough room to evidence two or three strong examples.
Senior or director-level	350–500 words	Slightly more room for context, but the quality bar is higher. Vague claims are worse at this level, not better.
Civil Service / public sector	Up to 500 words	Competency-based applications sometimes call for longer letters. Always check the job advert for specific guidance.
Academic positions	400–600 words	Academic cover letters follow different conventions. A longer letter may be expected, especially for research posts.

Warning

If the job advert specifies a word count or page limit, follow it exactly. Ignoring explicit instructions is one of the fastest ways to have your application set aside.

Signs your cover letter is too long

You are summarising your CV rather than adding to it
You have more than four paragraphs
You are explaining gaps, salary expectations, or notice periods without being asked
It runs to more than one A4 page at 12pt font
You use phrases like 'Furthermore,' or 'In addition to the above' to link sections

Signs your cover letter is too short

It is fewer than 150 words
You have not mentioned the company by name
There is no evidence — just assertions like 'I am a strong communicator'
It reads like a polite note rather than a considered application

A short cover letter example (mid-career, UK)

Below is an illustrative example at around 280 words — the right length for a mid-career UK applicant targeting a marketing manager role:

Info

Dear [Hiring Manager's name], I am applying for the Marketing Manager role at [Company]. Having spent the past four years leading campaign strategy at a B2B SaaS company, I know first-hand how to grow pipeline in a noisy market — and I have followed [Company]'s expansion into the mid-market with genuine interest. In my current role, I built and scaled a content programme that increased organic leads by 60% year-on-year and reduced cost per acquisition by a third. I managed a team of three, owned a six-figure annual budget, and worked directly with sales to align messaging to buying stages. The priorities in your job description — pipeline influence, cross-functional collaboration, and a strong grasp of attribution — are exactly where I have spent the last few years. I would welcome the chance to talk through how my experience maps to what you are building. I am available from [date] and happy to work around your timeline. Yours sincerely, [Name]

How Legworker helps you get cover letter length right

Writing a well-calibrated cover letter takes time, especially when you are applying to multiple roles at once. Legworker generates tailored cover letters for each role you want to pursue, based on the specific job description and your own experience. Every letter is written in your voice, informed by live company research, and calibrated to the right length — not padded out, not cut short.

Crucially, nothing is sent without you reviewing it first. You read the draft, edit anything that needs changing, and submit the application yourself. That means you get the speed of AI assistance without sacrificing the quality or accuracy that matters when your professional reputation is on the line. See the Legworker pricing page for current plan options, including a free tier that gives you full access to cover letter generation.

For most roles, yes. 500 words is at the outer edge of what is appropriate, and only makes sense for senior positions, Civil Service applications, or roles that explicitly request a longer statement. For the majority of UK job applications, 250 to 400 words is the right range. If you are hitting 500 words, review each sentence and ask whether it is adding new information or repeating something already on your CV.