Free ATS checker
Will your CV pass the ATS?
Most CVs are filtered out by software before a human ever reads them. Upload your CV — or build one free — and get an instant ATS compatibility score, plus the exact issues to fix.
How it works
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Upload your CV — or build one free, no sign-up needed.
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Get your instant ATS score and the top issues found.
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Fix them and download an ATS-ready PDF.
ATS checker FAQ
What is an ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System is software employers use to automatically scan, parse and rank CVs before a recruiter reads them. Most online applications pass through one.
Is the ATS check free?
Yes. Build your CV and get your ATS score plus the full fix-by-fix breakdown — free, no account needed to start.
Which CV format is most ATS-friendly?
A clean single-column layout with standard section headings, a common font and real text — no tables, columns or text inside images — parses most reliably.
Will my CV pass every ATS?
No tool can guarantee that, since systems differ. But fixing the structural issues this check finds dramatically improves how reliably your CV is parsed and ranked.
How do I make my CV ATS-friendly?
Use a single-column layout, standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills), and real text instead of images or graphics. Pick a common font, save as a PDF with selectable text, mirror the keywords from the job description, and avoid tables, text boxes, and putting key details in headers or footers. Our free ATS checker flags anything that could trip up the parser.
Which file format is best for an ATS — PDF or Word?
A PDF with real, selectable text is safe for almost all modern applicant tracking systems and preserves your layout. A few older systems still prefer .docx. If a job posting names a format, follow it; otherwise a clean, text-based PDF is the reliable default.
Why was my CV rejected by an ATS?
The usual causes are multi-column layouts that scramble the reading order, text trapped inside images or graphics, non-standard section headings, missing keywords from the job description, and tables the parser can't read. Run your CV through the checker to see which of these apply to yours.
Is this ATS checker really free?
Yes. You can check your CV's ATS compatibility for free, with no sign-up required to start. You only pay if you choose to download a finished CV or use a premium add-on.