Resume Margins: What Size Should You Really Use?

Most people obsess over resume content — the wording, the layout, the keywords — and overlook one of the most underrated formatting choices: margins. But in 2025, resume margins matter more than ever. They influence how your resume looks, how it reads, and even how it performs with applicant tracking systems (ATS). Whether you’re trying to fit your experience onto one page or stand out in a competitive field, getting your margins right can make a real difference. This guide breaks down everything you need to know: what size to use, when to adjust, and how to make sure your margins work for you, not against you.

Why Resume Margins Matter More Than You Think

Margins are the unsung heroes of formatting

Resume margins might not be the first thing you consider when building your layout, but they quietly shape how everything else comes together. Acting as the invisible frame of your document, margins provide balance, structure, and breathing room. Most modern word processors default to a one-inch margin, and that’s no accident. It’s a tried-and-true setting that offers just enough white space to make your resume feel organized without wasting space.

Proper margins don’t call attention to themselves, but they do signal to hiring managers that you understand presentation and pay attention to detail. Whether you're applying in finance, marketing, or tech, clean formatting makes your resume look more professional at a glance.

First impressions (and ATS scans) start at the edges

Before a hiring manager reads a single bullet point, they notice the visual structure and margins are a big part of that first impression. A balanced layout feels more professional and is easier to skim, especially when recruiters are scanning dozens of resumes in minutes.

Margins also matter to applicant tracking systems (ATS), which scan and sort resumes before they ever reach human eyes. Margins that are too tight or uneven can cause parsing errors or cut off text, which may prevent your resume from being read at all. Meanwhile, generous spacing improves readability for both machines and humans — making it easier to spot key sections like skills, experience, or education during those crucial first 6–10 seconds.

How the wrong margins can silently sabotage your resume

Resume mistakes don’t always scream — sometimes they whisper. Margins that are too narrow can make your content feel cramped and overwhelming, while overly wide margins may look like you're stretching limited content. Either way, the result is a layout that feels off.

Standard one-inch margins strike the balance between form and function. They keep your content centered, readable, and visually polished. When done right, margins stay invisible. But done poorly, they can undermine an otherwise strong resume and leave a forgettable impression.

The Standard Resume Margin Size in 2025

What “standard” actually means (and when it applies)

When people talk about a standard resume, they usually mean one that sticks to classic formatting conventions — clean layout, professional fonts, and consistent spacing. Resume margin size is part of that equation. The standard margin remains one inch on all sides. It’s what most hiring managers expect and what most resume templates are built around.

But standard doesn’t mean rigid. Think of it as a starting point — one you should follow unless you have a clear reason not to. In traditional industries like law, finance, or healthcare, it’s best to play it safe. The familiar formatting helps your resume feel polished and easy to read, especially when you’re one of many applicants competing for attention.

That said, if your industry leans creative or your layout needs a little extra room, you can customize — just make sure you know the boundaries.

Is it ever okay to shrink your resume margins below 1”?

Yes — but only if it serves a clear purpose. If your resume slightly spills onto a second page or you need to make space for a few more key points, you can adjust your margins within reason. Think 0.6 or 0.75 inches and even then, sparingly. Going below 0.5 inches is usually too tight and risks making your layout feel cramped.

Too-narrow margins can make your resume harder to read and more likely to break during printing or PDF conversion. On the flip side, overly wide resume margins may make it look like you’re stretching light content to fill the page.

The key is balance. Keep margins visually even and always preview before submitting. What looks fine on screen might shift in a final file. Custom margins are fine when used carefully, but professionalism should never be the trade-off.

When to Adjust Resume Margins (And When Not To)

Creative industries: flexibility with purpose

If you're in a creative field like graphic design, marketing, or media, your resume does more than list qualifications — it reflects your visual identity. Creative resumes often bend traditional rules, including margin size, to stand out.

Shrinking resume margins slightly (to around 0.5–0.75 inches) can make space for unique elements like a personal logo or bold section layouts. Just make sure it serves a purpose. Readability is still non-negotiable, especially since hiring managers skim quickly and ATS systems rely on clear formatting. The key is flexibility with intention — your resume margins should enhance the design, not overwhelm it.

Executive and academic resumes: clarity over compression

Executive and academic resumes are typically longer and more content-heavy. In these cases, your resume margin strategy becomes about maintaining structure and preventing visual fatigue. Wider resume margins (such as the standard 1 inch) help keep the page clean and professional, especially when listing multiple achievements, publications, or leadership roles.

Where many job seekers go wrong in both creative and traditional resumes is treating margins like a quick fix. Shrinking them to squeeze in extra details can make your resume feel dense and overwhelming. Stretching them to fill space can make light content look even thinner.

Instead of tweaking margin settings to force a layout, take a step back and assess your content. Is everything on the page essential? Can anything be trimmed, merged, or tightened? Margins should support a clear, focused message — not compensate for lack of clarity.

Resume Margins and ATS Compatibility

Your resume might look sharp to you, but will an applicant tracking system (ATS) read it the same way? Where most companies rely on ATS software to screen candidates, even small formatting choices like margin size can impact whether your resume ever reaches a human reviewer. If your content is too cramped or formatted inconsistently, it risks being misread, truncated, or filtered out entirely.

Why tight margins can confuse applicant tracking systems

ATS platforms scan for clarity, not just keywords. If your resume margins are too narrow, text may get too close to the page edge, especially in PDFs, which can lead to parsing issues or missing content. Resumes that look visually fine to the human eye might still be flagged by ATS software due to layout inconsistencies or elements falling outside the scannable area.

To avoid these issues, stick with standard margins — ideally one inch, but no less than 0.5 inches on any side. This ensures your content stays within the safe zone and maintains proper structure.

Formatting tips to boost scannability without compromising design

You don’t have to choose between visual polish and ATS compatibility. To keep your resume both human- and machine-friendly, use a clean font (like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman) between 10–12 points, maintain consistent formatting across headings and body content, and space out sections with enough white space for clarity.

Use bullet points instead of paragraphs to highlight achievements; they’re easier for both readers and ATS to process. Avoid placing important text in headers, footers, or graphics, which some systems can’t read. And always preview your resume in PDF before sending to ensure nothing looks off or gets cut.

What recruiters actually see (and how resume margins impact that)

Once your resume clears the ATS, it has just seconds to grab a hiring manager’s attention. Resume margins that are too tight or inconsistent can make your resume feel cluttered, rushed, or difficult to scan, especially when paired with dense text or poor alignment.

Good margins create a frame that supports the overall layout and gives your resume breathing room. When done right, they help guide the eye, emphasize your key wins, and convey professionalism, all without saying a word. Visual clarity matters more than aesthetic. It’s strategic.

Formatting Tips That Work With Resume Margins

Margins are only part of what makes a resume easy to read. To get the full effect, they need to work hand-in-hand with the right font size, spacing, and layout choices. These elements create a rhythm that guides the reader’s eyes — helping them find key details fast.

Font size, line spacing, and alignment: a balancing act

Your text needs to be both legible and well-organized. Stick to a font size between 10 and 12 points for body text, and go slightly larger (14–16) for your name or section headers. Serif fonts like Times New Roman or Garamond are classic and great for print. Sans serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica are better for screens and have a clean, modern look.

Keep your text left-aligned for maximum readability. Left alignment helps recruiters skim efficiently — justified text or centered blocks can create awkward spacing or slow down the scan.

As for line spacing, use single spacing for most text, but include extra space between sections and bullet points to avoid crowding. That white space makes your resume easier to scan and keeps your layout breathable, especially when margins are tighter.

The visual hierarchy: margins as part of your resume’s flow

Resume margins do more than frame your content — they support the visual hierarchy that gives your resume structure. A strong layout subtly guides the reader from section to section, ensuring they don’t miss key achievements or skills.

To reinforce that flow, use consistent section spacing and clear, distinct section headings. Give each section a little more space up top to separate it visually from the last. That balance of margins, spacing, and headings helps draw attention where it matters most without overwhelming the page.

The takeaway? Great formatting isn’t about flashy design. It’s about clear communication. When margins, font, and spacing work together, they don’t just make your resume look better — they make it easier to understand, scan, and remember.

Conclusion

Resume margins might seem like a minor detail, but they quietly shape how your entire resume is received. From the way it’s scanned by ATS software to how it’s skimmed by recruiters, proper margins help your content come across as polished, readable, and professional. Stick to one-inch margins unless you have a clear reason to adjust, and when you do, keep things balanced and intentional. In a job market where first impressions happen in seconds, the space around your words can matter just as much as the words themselves. If you need help fine-tuning the details, consider signing up for Huntr for free today, and make it easy to format your resume the right way in no time.