As we approach the year 2026, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have become even more sophisticated. Employers now use these systems to sift through thousands of applications quickly and efficiently. One critical aspect that can make or break your resume is its readability by ATS software. Choosing the right font can significantly increase your chances of making it past the initial screening process. Here, we’ll explore some of the best fonts for resumes in 2026 that are optimized to pass ATS scanning while still maintaining a professional look.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, which converts text into digital data. While these systems are designed to filter out non-text elements like images or colored fonts, they can sometimes struggle with certain font styles and sizes.

Arial

Arial, a popular sans-serif font, is widely recognized and easily readable by most ATS systems. Its clean lines make it ideal for digital documents.

Courier New

Courier New stands out as another top choice because of its monospaced nature, which can help with readability in text-heavy sections like bullet points or skills lists.

Tahoma

Tahoma, a clean and modern sans-serif font, is highly ATS-friendly. Its clear and simple design makes it an excellent choice for digital documents.

Calibri

Calibra, Microsoft’s own sans-serif font, offers high clarity and legibility, making it a good fit for resumes that need to be submitted in Word or other Microsoft formats.

Gill Sans

Gill Sans is known for its clear and modern look. It’s ATS-friendly and can add a touch of professionalism to your resume.

• Keep it simple: Avoid decorative or ornamental fonts that might confuse ATS systems. Stick to clean, professional-looking fonts.
• Use a consistent size: Make sure your font is large enough (at least 10-12pt) so that it’s easily readable by both humans and machines.
• Avoid color and bolding: While adding color or making text bold might make your resume stand out, these elements can sometimes cause issues with ATS scanning. Stick to black text on a white background for optimal readability.
• Test with different fonts: Use free online tools like Google Fonts or Canva’s font checker to test how well your chosen font will be read by an ATS system.

Selecting the right fonts for your resume is crucial in ensuring that it passes through ATS scanning and reaches the human eyes of potential employers. By sticking to classic, simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Tahoma, you can maximize your chances of making a positive impression without compromising on professionalism. Always test your font choices with an online tool before finalizing your document.