Resume margins and spacing: the numbers that actually work
The exact margins, line-heights, and section spacing recruiters find scannable.
3 min read Updated November 1, 2025
White space is a design element. Get these numbers right and your resume reads twice as fast.
Margins
0.5 to 1.0 inch on all sides. Under 0.5" looks cramped, over 1" wastes space. Half-inch is the modern default.
Line height
1.15 to 1.3× the font size. Tighter than that gets hard to scan; looser wastes vertical room.
Section spacing
One clear blank line before every section heading. Bullet spacing should be tight — bullets belong together.
FAQ
Can I use justified text?
No — justified text creates weird gaps in short lines. Always left-align.
Put this into practice.
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