How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? UK Guide With Examples

The short answer

For most UK applications, aim for about 250 to 400 words on one side of A4, arranged in three to five short paragraphs. That is a practical guide, not a fixed rule. Follow the advert if it gives a word limit or asks for a different format.

The National Careers Service guide to covering letters recommends keeping your letter short, usually three to five paragraphs. It doesn’t set a word count. Oxford’s cover letter guidance advises keeping the letter to no more than one side of A4.

The right length is the space you need to show why you’re applying and give relevant evidence. You don’t need to summarise your whole career.

How many words should a cover letter be?

There’s no universal word count for every UK job. As a starting point, 250 to 400 words is usually enough to introduce yourself, connect your experience to the role and close politely.

Use the lower end if you’re applying for an entry-level role, making a straightforward application or responding to a short advert. You may need more room if the role asks for several distinct examples or a detailed explanation of your suitability.

A simple check is to read your letter once and ask: does each paragraph help explain why I fit this particular role? If not, shorten or remove it.

How many paragraphs should it have?

Three to five is a useful range. You can use four paragraphs as a starting structure:

1. Opening: Name the role and briefly explain why you’re applying.
2. Relevant evidence: Show one or two skills or experiences that match the advert.
3. Why this role or employer: Explain what interests you, using a specific and genuine reason.
4. Closing: Refer to your CV, thank the reader and sign off.

If you have only one strong example, keep it concise. If you have two separate examples that each answer a key requirement, they may work better in separate paragraphs. Don’t add paragraphs simply to make the letter look longer.

For help choosing which experience to include, see our guide to tailoring your CV to a job description. The same principle applies to a cover letter: focus on the evidence that matters for this vacancy.

Short examples: what works and what runs long

These are fictional examples. The roles and details are invented to demonstrate length and focus; replace them with facts from your own experience.

Too long and general:

I have always been interested in working in administration, and throughout my education and employment I have developed many different skills that I think would be useful in this position. I am a hardworking and organised person who enjoys working with people and completing tasks to a high standard, and I feel that I would be a good fit for your team.

More focused:

In my current retail role, I update stock records and pass clear handover notes to colleagues. I’d bring that experience with accurate records and team communication to your administrator role.

The shorter version uses fewer words but gives the reader something concrete to assess. It also makes a direct link to the role.

Too much detail for a cover letter:

In my last job, I answered emails, welcomed visitors, booked rooms, ordered stationery, took notes in meetings, updated spreadsheets, helped colleagues with filing and occasionally covered the reception desk when someone was away.

More selective:

I manage a shared inbox and book meeting rooms, while keeping records up to date. These tasks have prepared me to support the day-to-day needs of your office.

The longer version lists tasks without showing which matter most. Choose the evidence that best matches the advert; you can include other relevant detail in your CV.

When should you go shorter?

A shorter letter can be the better choice when:

• The employer asks for a brief note or sets a word limit.
• The application form already asks detailed questions about your experience.
• You’re applying for a role where one clear example is enough to show a relevant skill.
• The letter is an email accompanying your CV, rather than a separate document.
• You have little direct experience but can explain one relevant transferable skill clearly.

Don’t pad a short letter with generic claims. If the employer asks for a cover letter, a concise, relevant explanation is more useful than extra lines that repeat your CV.

What should you cut?

Before sending, remove:

• A full career history. Your CV covers your employment details.
• Repeated information. If your CV already lists a responsibility, explain briefly why it matters to this role rather than restating the whole entry.
• Generic claims without evidence. “I’m a great communicator” is less useful than a short example of when you communicated clearly.
• Long explanations of gaps or career changes. Share only what’s relevant, and keep the explanation accurate.
• Details that don’t answer the advert. Keep the most relevant evidence and cut the rest.
• Several different reasons for applying. One specific, honest reason is usually enough.

A useful editing test is to check each sentence against the job advert. If it doesn’t show your interest, relevant evidence or a clear next step, see whether you can cut it.

Should a one-page cover letter include your address and other details?

If you’re sending a separate letter as a document, include your contact details and the employer’s details if appropriate, but keep the layout simple. The content should still fit on one side of A4. Avoid shrinking the font or margins just to squeeze in extra material; edit the wording instead.

For an email application, you usually don’t need to repeat a formal letter layout in the message. Put the role in the email subject line and use the message body for a brief introduction and your reason for attaching the CV.

Email subject: Application for Administrator: [Your Name]

Email body:

Dear Hiring Manager,

Please find my CV attached for the Administrator role. My experience maintaining records and coordinating day-to-day requests is relevant to the position. Thank you for considering my application.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

The subject line identifies the application; it is not part of the letter body or its word count. Follow the employer's instructions if they ask you to use a specific subject line, application form or file format.

A quick check before you send it

• Is it around 250 to 400 words as a practical guide, unless the advert says otherwise?
• Does it fit comfortably on one side of A4 if it’s a document?
• Does the opening name the role?
• Does the body include specific evidence relevant to the advert?
• Have you removed details that simply repeat your CV?
• Are names, role titles and facts accurate?
• Have you followed the employer’s instructions?

If you’d like to compare your CV with a specific advert before writing, try the free CV scan. It highlights potential gaps and unclear details; it doesn’t write or change your cover letter.

Evident Career Studio’s Tailored CV service includes a cover letter for you to review. It asks up to five questions to help uncover relevant experience that may not be clear in your original CV. You decide what to approve, and no tool can guarantee an interview or a job.

For more practical examples, read our cover letter examples.

FAQs

How many words should a cover letter be?

For most UK applications, aim for about 250 to 400 words on one side of A4, arranged in three to five short paragraphs. That is a practical guide, not a fixed rule. Follow the advert if it gives a word limit or asks for a different format.

How many paragraphs should it have?

Three to five is a useful range. You can use four paragraphs as a starting structure.

Should I shrink the font to fit one page?

Avoid shrinking the font or margins just to squeeze in extra material; edit the wording instead.

Does the email subject count towards the letter length?

The subject line identifies the application; it is not part of the letter body or its word count. Follow the employer's instructions if they ask you to use a specific subject line, application form or file format.