Free ATS Score Checker
An ATS score is a percentage that estimates how well your resume matches a specific job description based on the keywords and formatting that applicant tracking systems look for. Our free ATS score checker gives you an instant score, a list of missing keywords, formatting issues, and specific rewrite suggestions, all in under 60 seconds.
Takes 60 seconds · No credit card · Unlimited scans
What your ATS score actually means
ATS scores are not pass/fail. Here is how to interpret yours, and what to do about it.
Your resume is well-aligned with the job description. Most ATS systems will pass it through to the recruiter. Focus on cover letter and networking.
Solid match. Add the top 3-5 missing keywords identified by the checker and you're likely to clear most ATS thresholds.
You have the foundation but your resume is too generic for this specific role. Tailor it: rewrite 2-3 bullets and add missing skills.
Either the role does not match your experience, or your resume is significantly under-written. Consider whether this role is worth applying to.
What you get with every scan
Instant keyword match score
See a percentage score within seconds of pasting your resume and a job description. The score is based on how many required keywords, skills, and qualifications from the job posting appear in your resume.
Missing keywords flagged
Get a specific list of skills, tools, and terms from the job description that are absent from your resume. The exact items to add before you apply.
Formatting issues detected
Identifies structural problems that break ATS parsing: tables, text in images, odd section headings, multi-column layouts, and fonts the parser can't read.
Section-by-section breakdown
See how your Summary, Experience, Skills, and Education sections each score against the job. Fix the weakest section instead of rewriting your whole resume.
Rewrite suggestions per bullet
For each weak bullet, the AI suggests a rewrite that naturally includes the missing keywords. Quantified, action-verb phrasing that still sounds like you.
Re-check in one click
Make your changes, run the score again, and see the jump in real time. Iterate until your score is strong enough to actually submit.
How ATS scoring actually works
The ATS extracts text from your resume
When you upload a PDF or DOCX, the ATS runs OCR or text extraction. This is where tables, images, and fancy columns break. The ATS just sees garbled characters or missing content.
It pulls required keywords from the job description
The system parses the job posting to identify hard skills (Python, SQL), soft skills (leadership), certifications, years of experience, and education requirements.
It compares both to generate a score
Your resume text is compared against the required keywords. The score reflects overlap: exact matches and close semantic matches. Missing keywords lower the score.
It ranks or filters candidates
Some systems reject below a threshold. Others rank candidates and show the top 50 to recruiters. Either way, a low score means your resume may never be seen by a human.
The ATS systems you're actually being screened by
Different employers use different ATS software, and they parse resumes differently. A resume that passes Greenhouse might fail Workday.
Workday
Used by 60%+ of Fortune 500
Strict. Penalizes non-standard section headings and tables.
Greenhouse
Popular with tech/startups
Moderate. Parses most formats but keyword-matching is aggressive.
Lever
Tech, growth-stage companies
Moderate. Handles most PDFs but struggles with complex layouts.
iCIMS
Large enterprise employers
Strict. Two-column resumes routinely fail parsing.
Taleo
Legacy enterprise (Oracle)
Very strict. Demands old-school plain formatting.
Ashby
Modern startups
Modern. Better parsing than legacy systems but still keyword-driven.
Why most resumes fail ATS (and how to fix it)
Using tables and multi-column layouts
Fix: Switch to a single-column template. Tables and columns are the #1 cause of ATS parsing failures. Content gets read in the wrong order or disappears entirely.
Non-standard section headings
Fix: Use "Work Experience" not "Professional Journey." Use "Education" not "Learning." ATS systems look for specific headings to categorize content.
Missing keywords from the job description
Fix: Mirror the exact terminology from the posting. If they write "project management" and your resume says "PM," the ATS may not match them.
Text inside images or graphics
Fix: Never put your name, contact info, or skills inside an image. ATS systems cannot read image text. Use plain text for everything that matters.
Over-designed fonts and icons
Fix: Stick to Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Georgia. Skip icons for contact info, since "📧 email@example.com" becomes gibberish after parsing.
Uploading as a non-standard file format
Fix: Export as PDF (text-based, not scanned image) or DOCX. Avoid RTF, HTML, or image-based PDFs. Most ATS accept PDF and DOCX reliably.
Frequently asked questions
Related tools and guides
Check your ATS score in 60 seconds
See your score, missing keywords, formatting issues, and specific rewrite suggestions.
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