Free ATS Resume Checker
Is your resume getting past the ATS?
Most resumes get rejected before a human sees them. Upload yours and find out why — with a detailed ATS compatibility score and specific fixes. No sign-up, no email, no catch.
What does the ATS resume checker look for?
Our checker parses your PDF the same way an applicant tracking system would — then scores it across four categories.
Contact information
Missing your name, email, or phone number? An ATS can't route your application to a recruiter. We check that the basics are present and parseable.
Resume sections
ATS systems expect standard sections — work experience, education, skills. If yours are missing or unrecognizable, your resume may be discarded before a human reads it.
Readability
Strong resumes lead with action verbs and include measurable results. We check your bullet points for action verbs, quantifiable achievements, and sufficient detail.
Formatting
Multi-column layouts, tables, and non-standard fonts break ATS parsers. We flag formatting that could cause your resume to render as garbled text — or not render at all.
What is an ATS, and why does it matter?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software that companies use to manage job applications. When you submit a resume online, it almost always passes through an ATS before a recruiter sees it.
The ATS parses your resume into structured data — name, job titles, skills, dates — and stores it in a database. Recruiters then search and filter that database to find candidates. If the ATS can't parse your resume correctly, your experience may not show up in those searches.
How many companies use an ATS?
Nearly all of them. Over 97% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS, and adoption among mid-size companies has grown sharply. If you're applying online, assume your resume will be read by software first and a human second.
What makes a resume fail an ATS scan?
The most common reasons:
- Unreadable formatting. Tables, text boxes, columns, and headers/footers confuse parsers. The ATS reads left-to-right, top-to-bottom — anything that breaks that flow can scramble your content.
- Missing standard sections. If the ATS can't find a "Work Experience" or "Education" section, it may not extract that data at all.
- Non-standard fonts or embedded images. Some ATS systems can't read text rendered in unusual fonts or extract text from images.
- No contact information. Without a name and email, the ATS has no way to create a candidate record.
A resume doesn't need to be plain to pass an ATS — it needs to be structured. Clean formatting, standard sections, and parseable text go a long way.
Build a resume that passes.
CraftCV builds ATS-optimized resumes — no account required to get started.
Build your resumeCommon questions about ATS resume checking
Is this ATS checker really free?
Yes. Upload your resume, get your score, and see every issue — no sign-up, no email, no paywall. The tool runs entirely in your browser.
Does my resume get uploaded to a server?
No. Your PDF is parsed locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to our servers. Your resume data stays on your device.
What file format should I upload?
PDF. It's the most common format employers accept and the most reliable for ATS parsing. If you have a Word document, save it as PDF first.
What's a good ATS score?
Aim for 80 or above. A score in that range means your resume has the right structure, standard formatting, and complete contact information. Below 60 means there are issues that could prevent your resume from being parsed correctly.
Can an ATS-friendly resume still look good?
Yes. ATS compatibility is about structure, not aesthetics. A single-column layout with standard fonts, clear section headings, and consistent formatting can look polished and still parse perfectly.
What should I do after checking my resume?
Fix the issues flagged in your report. Start with errors (red) — those are most likely to cause your resume to fail. Then address warnings (yellow) to strengthen your score. You can re-check as many times as you want.
Stop guessing whether your resume will make it through.
Check your resume now — or build one that's ATS-ready from the start.