Cover Letter Templates for Word (Download & Edit)

How to use our Word cover letter templates

Follow these steps to download and edit our Word templates:

1. Download a template: Pick a design from above and click Free Download or Download for Word
2. Install fonts: Find the template zip folder in your Downloads folder and install any fonts in the Fonts folder
3. Open the template in Word: Choose your preferred template color and double-click to open it in Word.
4. Customize your letter: Replace the placeholder text with your own information and cover letter content.
5. Save and submit: Save your completed letter in the format requested by the employer. If no format is specified, PDF is the safest choice.

How to select a cover letter template in Microsoft Word

If you’d rather create your cover letter directly in Microsoft Word, you can use one of Word’s built-in templates. Microsoft offers a selection of pre-formatted cover letter templates that you can customize.

To find a cover letter template in Word:

1. Open Microsoft Word and select New from the home screen.
2. Search for cover letter templates by typing “cover letter” into the template search bar.
3. Browse the available options and select a template that suits your preferred style and the type of job you’re applying for.
4. Click Create to open the template as a new Word document.
5. Replace the placeholder content with your own content.
6. Save your cover letter as a PDF or other format specified by the employer.

Cover letter text template for Word

If you want to speed up the writing process, you can use this fill-in-the-blank cover letter template as a starting point. Just copy and paste it into Word, replace the bracketed sections with your own information, and tailor the content to the job you’re applying for.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) 

How do I edit a cover letter template in Word?

To edit a cover letter template in Word, download the template and open the .docx file in Microsoft Word. Delete the placeholder text and replace it with your own contact information, experience, qualifications, and other details.

You may also need to make a few formatting adjustments as you customize the template. For example, adding more text can push your cover letter onto a second page. If that happens, you can adjust the margins, font size, line spacing, or paragraph spacing to help fit your letter onto one page without making it difficult to read.

Can I use a Word cover letter template for any job?

Yes, you can use a Word cover letter template for any job, but you should choose a design that fits the industry and role you’re applying for.

For more traditional or formal industries, such as law, finance, government, or accounting, a simple, professional template with minimal design elements is usually appropriate. For creative roles, such as graphic design, marketing, or writing, you have more flexibility to use a template with distinctive fonts, colors, or visual elements, as long as it remains easy to read.

When in doubt, choose a clean and professional design. Your cover letter’s content and qualifications should be the focus rather than the template itself.

Should I submit my cover letter as a Word document or PDF?

PDF is generally the best format for submitting your cover letter unless the employer specifies otherwise. PDFs preserve your formatting, fonts, spacing, and layout across different devices and software, so your cover letter will always look the way you intended.

However, if the job posting specifically asks for a Word document or another file format, always follow the employer’s instructions.