15 Sans Serif Fonts for Resume That Gets You Noticed

Reading Time: 12 minutes

Crafting a professional resume is more than just listing qualifications it’s about creating a clean, modern, and visually appealing document that captures attention instantly.

Among the many design choices you make, selecting the right font plays a huge role in how your resume is perceived. This is where sans serif fonts for resume designs shine, offering a crisp, easy-to-read look that stands out without distracting from your content.

Best sans serif fonts are widely favored for resumes because they combine simplicity with a modern feel, ensuring your information is presented in a straightforward yet stylish way.

They don’t have the decorative strokes of serif fonts, which means they’re exceptionally readable on both screens and printed pages. This makes them an ideal choice for applicants who want a professional document that recruiters can scan quickly.

When you choose the right sans serif font, your resume can project confidence, clarity, and contemporary design all critical in today’s competitive job market.

The right typeface from this Design Journal article helps your skills and experience shine without unnecessary visual clutter.

Whether you’re applying for a corporate role, a creative position, or a tech-based job, using the best sans serif fonts for resume layouts can make the difference between blending in and getting noticed.

15 sans serif fonts for resume

When it comes to creating a resume that looks polished and professional, sans serif fonts have become the go-to choice for many job seekers.

These fonts are characterized by their clean lines and lack of decorative strokes, which give them a modern and uncluttered appearance.

1. Arial

Arial is one of the most recognized and widely used sans serif fonts for resume design, known for its simplicity, clean lines, and highly professional appearance.

It’s a font that feels neutral yet confident, making it a safe choice for nearly every job application, from corporate roles to creative positions.

Because it avoids unnecessary flourishes, Arial ensures your resume’s content is the main focus without distracting visual elements.

One of the strongest advantages of Arial is how consistently it performs in both printed and digital formats, allowing your resume to maintain the same polished look no matter how it’s shared.

Its well-spaced letters and smooth curves help recruiters quickly scan and absorb your qualifications, making it ideal for busy hiring managers. When your font is easy to read, it naturally encourages them to spend more time reviewing your skills and experience.

Choosing Arial also reflects a preference for clarity, directness, and timeless design, qualities that can work in your favor when creating a resume that gets noticed.

While it may not have the personality of some trendier fonts, its universal acceptance makes it a dependable choice for professionals who want to communicate reliability and competence.

In many cases, sticking with a classic like Arial can be a strategic decision that keeps your application looking organized and confident.

2. Calibri

Calibri has become one of the most common sans serif fonts for resume documents in recent years, largely because of its balanced proportions, soft edges, and approachable yet professional style.

Its smooth curves and subtly rounded letterforms make it visually inviting while still maintaining a crisp and modern look. This balance is particularly effective for applicants who want to appear friendly and approachable while remaining professional.

Designed for optimal screen readability, Calibri ensures your resume looks sharp even in smaller font sizes or on low-resolution displays. This is especially beneficial for applicants who plan to submit resumes digitally, where clarity and readability are essential.

Its spacing and structure help guide the reader’s eyes naturally from section to section, improving the overall flow of your document.

By using Calibri, you subtly communicate that you are detail-oriented and up to date with modern design trends, without going overboard.

It works well across a range of industries from formal corporate environments to creative workspaces making it a highly versatile choice.

3. Verdana

Verdana is a modern sans serif font for resume design that was specifically created to maximize readability on screens, making it an excellent choice for online job applications.

Its wide letter spacing, generous proportions, and tall lowercase letters ensure that every word is easy to read at a glance. This is especially important when your resume might be viewed on different devices, from desktop monitors to smartphones.

The larger and more open appearance of Verdana compared to other fonts gives your resume a relaxed, breathable layout that feels approachable and easy to follow.

This can help recruiters absorb your information without feeling visually overwhelmed, even if your document contains detailed descriptions. By keeping the visual presentation clear, you help ensure your most important qualifications are noticed quickly.

Choosing Verdana also sends a message that you value both clarity and modernity, which can resonate strongly in tech, design, and communication-focused roles.

It adapts well to different resume templates and formats, ensuring a consistent professional image. If you’re aiming for maximum legibility without sacrificing style, Verdana is a dependable and practical choice.

4. Helvetica

Helvetica is considered one of the most timeless and versatile bold sans serif fonts for resume designs, known for its clean, neutral, and highly legible style.

Its balanced letterforms and consistent stroke widths create a professional look that blends seamlessly into almost any industry or role. Whether you’re aiming for a corporate position or a creative career, Helvetica adapts effortlessly.

Originally designed for signage and public communication, Helvetica has exceptional clarity in both print and digital formats.

This makes it a strong choice for applicants who want to ensure their resume remains easy to read regardless of how it’s viewed. Its subtle elegance avoids unnecessary flair, allowing your qualifications to stand out naturally.

Choosing Helvetica can signal that you value precision, order, and attention to detail qualities that employers often find appealing.

While it might appear simple at first glance, this font’s understated sophistication can make your resume feel polished and intentional. In competitive job markets, such refined design choices can help your application rise above the rest.

5. Lato

Lato is a contemporary Google sans serif font for resume layouts that offers the perfect balance between modern style and friendly approachability.

Its semi-rounded details in the letters soften its overall look, making it warm and inviting while still maintaining a professional tone. This makes it a great fit for candidates who want to appear personable yet capable.

Designed with readability in mind, Lato works equally well in large headings and smaller body text.

Its slightly thicker strokes improve visibility without making the text appear heavy, ensuring that your resume remains comfortable to read from start to finish. This visual balance creates a pleasant flow for the reader.

Lato’s adaptability means it complements a wide variety of resume templates, whether you prefer a clean minimalist layout or a more creative design.

By selecting Lato, you convey both confidence and accessibility, which can help leave a positive impression on hiring managers. Its versatility ensures it remains a strong choice across different industries and job levels.

6. Open Sans

Open Sans is one of the most widely used sans serif fonts for resume designs, celebrated for its clarity, neutrality, and versatility.

Its open letterforms and generous spacing make it highly legible in both printed and digital formats, ensuring your document is easy to read in any medium. This is particularly beneficial for resumes that need to be concise yet information-rich.

Its balanced structure allows your content to take the spotlight while maintaining a clean, professional appearance.

Recruiters can quickly scan through your sections without visual clutter, making it easier for them to focus on your achievements and qualifications. Consistency in line weight and shape also adds to its visual harmony.

By choosing Open Sans, you present yourself as organized, modern, and attentive to detail traits that resonate with employers across industries.

This font combination well with a range of resume styles, from traditional formats to more creative layouts. For candidates seeking a dependable yet stylish typeface, Open Sans remains a top contender.

7. Roboto

Roboto is a modern sans serif font for resume design that combines geometric precision with subtle curves for a clean yet approachable look.

Originally created for digital interfaces, it offers outstanding readability on screens of all sizes, which is perfect for online job applications. Its balanced proportions help maintain a professional tone while adding a touch of personality.

With its slightly condensed letterforms, Roboto allows you to fit more information on a page without sacrificing legibility.

This is especially useful for experienced professionals who need to showcase extensive work history. Its versatility ensures that headings, subheadings, and body text all work cohesively together.

Using Roboto communicates that you’re tech-savvy, forward-thinking, and mindful of design quality.

It works well in industries ranging from technology and engineering to marketing and design. If you want your resume to appear sleek, contemporary, and easy to navigate, Roboto delivers on all fronts.

8. Trebuchet MS

Trebuchet MS brings a subtle sense of personality to sans serif fonts for resume writing while maintaining a professional appearance.

Its letterforms are slightly more distinctive than traditional options, which can help your document stand out in a subtle, sophisticated way.

Designed with screen readability in mind, Trebuchet MS retains excellent clarity in both digital and printed formats.

Its wider proportions and distinctive shapes make it easy for the reader to scan, guiding their eyes naturally from section to section.

Choosing Trebuchet MS reflects an appreciation for fonts that balance creativity with practicality. It gives your resume a touch of uniqueness without compromising on readability or professionalism.

For candidates looking to differentiate themselves while keeping their document polished, Trebuchet MS is a smart and versatile choice.

9. Source Sans Pro

Source Sans Pro is Adobe’s first open-source sans serif font for resume layouts, designed with functionality and clarity at its core.

Its well-balanced letterforms and clean geometry make it suitable for any industry, from corporate to creative sectors. Its neutral style ensures it complements rather than competes with your content.

The font’s variety of weights allows you to create clear typographic hierarchy, making it easy to emphasize headings and important details.

This can help structure your resume in a way that improves readability and visual flow, guiding hiring managers through your information.

Selecting Source Sans Pro communicates modernity, professionalism, and thoughtful design choices.

It’s particularly appealing for tech-forward applicants or those in creative industries who want a contemporary yet understated look.

10. Montserrat

Montserrat is a bold, geometric sans serif font for resume applications inspired by urban signage, giving it a modern and confident presence.

Its sleek lines and contemporary character make it stand out while still looking professional. This is especially effective if you want your resume to convey creativity and authority simultaneously.

Its range of weights makes it easy to distinguish between headings, subheadings, and body text, allowing for a visually appealing hierarchy. Montserrat’s slightly wider letterforms improve legibility, even when the font size is reduced to fit more information on the page.

By choosing Montserrat, you project a sense of style, confidence, and attention to detail. It’s particularly well-suited for design, marketing, and tech-oriented roles where visual presentation matters.

11. Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a distinctive sans serif font for resume creation, offering a warm and approachable feel thanks to its rounded curves and humanist style.

Its design gives your document a touch of personality while still keeping it professional, making it suitable for a wide range of roles. This balance can help you connect with recruiters on both a visual and emotional level.

Developed for optimal screen readability, Ubuntu maintains sharpness and clarity at various sizes, which is perfect for digital job submissions.

Its slightly heavier weight at standard text sizes ensures visibility even in longer resumes with multiple sections. This makes it a reliable choice for applicants who need a clean yet distinctive look.

By selecting Ubuntu, you convey creativity, openness, and modern thinking. It pairs well with contemporary resume templates and works across industries from tech to education.

If you want a font that feels friendly but still delivers a professional impression, Ubuntu offers the best of both worlds.

12. Fira Sans

Fira Sans is a sleek, modern sans serif font for resume designs originally created for Mozilla Firefox OS, making it highly optimized for digital use.

Its clean, geometric forms and balanced proportions create a professional yet approachable look that translates well to printed formats too. This ensures consistency in your resume’s appearance across platforms.

The font’s extensive weight options allow you to create clear distinctions between headings, subheadings, and body text.

This structured hierarchy improves readability and helps recruiters focus on the most important details of your career history.

Choosing Fira Sans communicates that you value clarity, efficiency, and forward-thinking design. It’s especially appealing for candidates in technology, creative, and modern business fields. For those seeking a font that feels current without being overly flashy, Fira Sans is a strong, dependable option.

13. PT Sans

PT Sans offers a contemporary sans serif font for resume layouts with just a hint of classic elegance. Its open letterforms and generous spacing enhance legibility, ensuring your resume is easy to read both on-screen and in print. This makes it a versatile choice for candidates targeting diverse roles and industries.

Developed as part of the Public Type project, PT Sans was designed for multilingual communication, making it ideal for international job applications. Its clean structure adapts seamlessly to various resume formats, from minimalist designs to more detailed layouts.

Selecting PT Sans can reflect inclusivity, professionalism, and attention to communication. Its modern yet approachable design ensures your content remains the focus while the font subtly supports your message. For global-minded professionals, PT Sans offers both readability and style.

14. Merriweather Sans

Merriweather Sans is a clean, readable sans serif font for resume creation, designed to pair perfectly with its serif counterpart, Merriweather. Its slightly condensed shapes allow you to fit more information on a page without sacrificing clarity or legibility. This is especially beneficial for applicants with detailed work histories.

The font’s balance between friendliness and professionalism makes it suitable for industries ranging from education to corporate environments. Its strong letterforms hold up well in both digital and printed versions of your resume, ensuring a consistent presentation.

By choosing Merriweather Sans, you show that you value both design and practicality. It strikes a harmonious balance between modern simplicity and approachability, giving your resume a polished yet welcoming tone that can help attract the attention of hiring managers.

15. Nunito Sans

Nunito Sans is a modern, well-rounded sans serif font for resume designs, blending geometric precision with soft, rounded edges. This creates a warm, approachable aesthetic while still maintaining the professionalism needed for job applications. Its friendly tone can make your document more engaging to recruiters.

With excellent readability at both small and large sizes, Nunito Sans is ideal for resumes with multiple sections, bullet points, or detailed descriptions. Its balanced spacing and open forms help maintain a clean and organized look throughout your document.

Choosing Nunito Sans communicates creativity, openness, and attention to design quality. It’s perfect for applicants seeking a resume that feels modern and approachable without losing its professional edge.

How to choose the best sans serif fonts for resume?

Selecting the right sans serif fonts for resume design is about more than just picking something that looks nice it’s about aligning the font’s personality with the impression you want to create.

A clean, professional typography can instantly make your document more appealing and easier to read. The key is finding a font that reflects your personal brand while maintaining universal readability.

Consider the industry you’re applying to and the tone you want to convey. For example, a bold, modern font might work well for a creative or tech-focused role, while a more neutral, traditional font could be ideal for a corporate or legal position.

The goal is to ensure your resume feels tailored to the expectations of your target employers without sacrificing clarity.

Legibility should always be the top priority when choosing the best sans serif fonts for resume writing. Avoid overly stylized or compressed fonts that can strain the reader’s eyes, especially when viewed on smaller screens.

A font that reads smoothly in both digital and printed formats will ensure your skills and achievements shine through, keeping the focus on your qualifications rather than the design.

Conclusion

Choosing the right sans serif fonts for resume design can make a significant difference in how your application is received by recruiters. A clean, modern, and readable font helps your information stand out while presenting you as professional and detail-oriented.

By pairing the right typeface with a well-structured layout, you can create a resume that makes a lasting first impression.

In today’s competitive job market, even small design decisions can influence a recruiter’s perception of your application. By using the best sans serif fonts for resume writing, you ensure your document remains clear, attractive, and aligned with your professional brand.

Ultimately, the right font not only improves readability but also increases your chances of getting noticed.

Frequently asked questions

Are serif or sans serif fonts better for a resume?

Sans serif fonts are generally better for resumes because they are cleaner, more modern, and easier to read on both screens and paper. They create a professional look without distracting decorative details. This makes them ideal for quick scanning by recruiters.

Which font style is best for a resume?

The best font style for a resume is one that is clear, professional, and easy to read in any format. Sans serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Open Sans are popular choices because they look clean and modern. The key is to keep your font simple and consistent throughout the document.

What is a professional sans serif font?

A professional sans serif font is one with clean lines, balanced spacing, and high readability in different sizes. Examples include Helvetica, Lato, and Source Sans Pro, which work well for resumes in all industries. These fonts give your document a polished, modern appearance.

What font do CEOs use?

Many CEOs prefer clean, minimal fonts that look professional and timeless, such as Helvetica or Arial. These fonts project clarity, confidence, and simplicity, which are key in high-level business communication. Using them in a resume can convey the same professional tone.