The short answer: 130–190 words for an online application, never more than one page in any situation, and closer to 100 words if it's going in the body of an email. That's far shorter than most templates suggest — and the shortness is the point.
Why shorter wins now
A recruiter working through 200 applications gives each cover letter a few seconds to earn a real read. A dense, full-page letter announces "this will take a while" and gets skipped whole. Three short paragraphs announce "this will take fifteen seconds" — and actually get read.
There's also a newer reason: since AI tools made it effortless to generate 400 polished words, long-and-generic has become the default noise. Recruiters see it constantly, and length itself now signals "template". A tight letter that says one specific thing reads as human — because it clearly took a decision, not a prompt. (More on that in how to write a cover letter that doesn't sound like AI.)
Word counts by situation
- Online application with an upload field: 130–190 words, 3–4 short paragraphs, one page with generous white space.
- Email application (letter in the body): 80–120 words. The subject line and first sentence do most of the work.
- Senior / executive roles: up to 250 words is acceptable — the extra space goes to one more proof point, not to adjectives.
- "Cover letter optional": send one anyway — a short one. Optional fields are where you outflank the 70% who skip it.
What those 150 words need to contain
- Opener (1–2 sentences): the role, and one specific reason you fit it — something that couldn't appear in anyone else's letter.
- Proof (2–3 sentences): your single most relevant achievement, with a number.
- Connection (1–2 sentences): map that proof to what the posting says they need.
- Close (1 sentence): plain and unneedy. "Happy to talk if this looks like a fit."
What to cut first (in order)
- The paragraph that retells your resume. The resume is attached; they have it.
- Anything about your passion, journey, or dream. Evidence beats enthusiasm every time.
- Adjectives about yourself ("driven", "detail-oriented"). Keep nouns and numbers.
- The company-flattery paragraph. One specific reference woven into your opener is worth more than three sentences of praise.
- "I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss…" — replace with eight plain words.
The one-page myth vs the one-minute reality
"Keep it to one page" is advice from the era of printed applications. The real constraint today is one minute of reader attention — and 150 well-chosen words fill it perfectly. If your letter is at 300 words, you haven't written too little to cut; you've written two letters. Pick the stronger one.