Quick answer: To find a cover letter template in Microsoft Word, open Word, click File → New, type "cover letter" in the search bar, and pick a design. In Word for the web, go to Microsoft's template site and search "cover letter." Replace the placeholder text with your details, match the design to your resume, keep the letter to 250–400 words on one page, and save it as a PDF unless the employer asks for a Word file.
Microsoft Word has been helping people write cover letters since before most hiring managers were born. The built-in templates still work, as long as you treat them as a starting point, not a finished letter. Nobody has ever been hired for writing "[Your Name Here]."
This guide shows you how to find and use Word's cover letter templates, gives you a free copy-and-paste template, and covers length, word count, file format, and the formatting traps to avoid.
How to Find Cover Letter Templates in Microsoft Word
Word desktop app (Windows and Mac)
- Open Microsoft Word.
- Click File → New (on Mac, you can also use File → New from Template).
- Type "cover letter" in the search box.
- Browse the results and click a template to preview it.
- Click Create to open it as a new document.
Word for the web (free)
- Sign in to Microsoft's free Office for the web with a Microsoft account.
- Go to Microsoft's template gallery and search "cover letter."
- Open the template in Word for the web, then edit and download it.
Some templates are labeled premium and need a Microsoft 365 subscription; plenty are free.
Match your resume
If you used a Word resume template, look for the matching cover letter. Many Microsoft templates come in resume and cover letter pairs. See our guide to Microsoft Word resume templates.
How to Customize a Word Cover Letter Template
- Replace every placeholder, including your name, contact details, date, and the employer's details.
- Delete instructional text like "Type your letter here." (Recruiters notice when it's left in.)
- Adjust fonts to match your resume, usually Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Cambria at 10.5 to 12 pt.
- Check spacing and margins: one-inch margins and single spacing with a blank line between paragraphs.
- Tailor the content to the specific job, company, and hiring manager.
- Proofread, then use Word's Review → Editor (or Spelling & Grammar) for a second check.
Free Cover Letter Template for Word
Paste this into a blank Word document (or any template) and replace the brackets:
[Your Name]
[City, State] | [Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn URL][Date]
[Hiring Manager's Name]
[Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx. Last Name or Hiring Manager's Full Name],
I'm excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company]. [One sentence about why you're interested in this company or role.] With [X years] of experience in [field or skill], I [your strongest relevant achievement, with a number].
In my current role at [Company], I [achievement that matches a key requirement]. I also [second achievement or skill from the job description]. These experiences have prepared me to [how you'd help the company succeed in this role].
[Optional: a short paragraph about a company value, project, or mission that connects to your experience, or a brief note explaining a career change or gap.]
Thank you for your time and consideration. I'd welcome the chance to discuss how I can contribute to [Company]. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Not sure who to address it to? See how to address a cover letter. For more ways to close, see how to end a cover letter.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? (Word Count)
- Word count: 250 to 400 words
- Paragraphs: three or four
- Length: never more than one page
How to check word count in Word: look at the status bar at the bottom of the window, or click Review → Word Count for the exact number of words, characters, and paragraphs.
If you're over 400 words, cut repetition, shorten long sentences, and remove anything already on your resume. Hiring managers skim, and a tight letter gets read. See our cover letter font, spacing, and length guide.
Types of Word Cover Letter Templates
- Simple / traditional: clean and conservative, best for finance, law, healthcare, government, and most corporate roles
- Modern: subtle color accents and updated fonts, good for tech, marketing, and startups
- Creative: bolder headers and design elements, best for design and creative roles
- Matching sets: designed to pair with a specific Word resume template for a consistent look
Pick a style that fits your industry. When in doubt, choose simple.
Watch Out for These Word Template Traps
Most guides skip this, but some Word templates cause problems:
- Text boxes and tables: many decorative templates put contact details or headings in text boxes, which some applicant tracking systems can't read. If you're uploading to a job portal, a plain layout is safer.
- Headers and footers: contact information in the header may be skipped by some systems. Put it in the main body too.
- Leftover placeholder text: search for "[" and "Type" before you save.
- Odd fonts: if a template uses a font the employer's computer doesn't have, Word may substitute it and break the layout. Saving as PDF prevents this.
- Template metadata: check File → Info and update the author and title fields, so your document doesn't show "Template Author" or someone else's name.
See ATS-friendly resume templates for more on what software can read.
Should You Send Your Cover Letter as a Word Doc or PDF?
PDF is usually best. It keeps your formatting exactly the same on every device. In Word, go to File → Save As (or Export) and choose PDF.
Send a Word document (.docx) only if the job posting asks for one, since some older systems and recruiters prefer editable files.
Name your file professionally: "Jordan-Lee-Cover-Letter-Marketing.pdf," not "Document1 (final) FINAL.docx."
Tips for an Effective Word Cover Letter
- Match your resume's design so both documents look like a set
- Tailor every letter to the company and role; don't just change the company name
- Lead with a strong opening line instead of "I am writing to apply…"
- Show results with numbers
- Keep it to one page
- Proofread out loud before sending
For a full writing guide, see how to write a cover letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft Word have cover letter templates?
Yes. Open Word, go to File → New, and search "cover letter" to see free templates. Word for the web also has free templates through Microsoft's online template gallery.
How do I edit a cover letter template in Word?
Click on any placeholder text and type over it, adjust fonts and spacing to match your resume, delete any instructional text, and save the file under a new name.
Can I use a Word cover letter template for any job?
Yes, but tailor the content for each job. Choose a simple design for traditional industries and a more modern one for creative or tech roles.
How many words should a cover letter be?
Aim for 250 to 400 words in three or four paragraphs. You can check your word count in Word's status bar or under Review → Word Count.
Should I submit my cover letter as a Word document or PDF?
Use PDF unless the employer specifically asks for a Word document. PDF keeps your formatting consistent.
Skip the Template Hunt
Our AI cover letter generator creates a tailored cover letter from your resume and the job description, and our Resume Builder gives you a matching resume, so you get a polished, consistent application in minutes.