Free ATS Resume Checker
Check if your resume passes applicant tracking systems. Get readability scores, keyword analysis, section verification, and an overall ATS compatibility score — all in your browser, completely free.
No account needed. Your data stays in your browser.
What you get
Four dimensions of ATS analysis, powered by the same engine recruiters trust.
Readability Score
Flesch Reading Ease and grade-level analysis ensure your resume is clear and scannable. ATS systems and recruiters both prefer concise, direct language.
Keyword Analysis
Detects action verbs (60+), technical skills (30+), and soft skills (15+) in your resume. Identifies gaps so you can match the job description.
Section Checker
Verifies your resume includes the sections ATS expects: contact info, experience, education, and skills. Flags missing or non-standard headings.
Overall ATS Score
A composite 0-100 score weighted across readability (30%), keywords (40%), and content quality (30%). See exactly where to improve.
How applicant tracking systems work
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that companies use to collect, sort, and filter job applications. When you submit your resume online, it almost never goes directly to a hiring manager. Instead, the ATS parses your document into structured data — extracting your name, contact information, work history, education, and skills — then scores and ranks you against other candidates.
The numbers are striking: 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever sees them. Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies and a growing majority of mid-size employers rely on ATS software to manage the volume of applications they receive. If your resume isn't formatted for machine readability, it may never reach the recruiter's desk — regardless of your qualifications.
ATS parsers work by identifying standard sections (like "Experience" and "Education"), extracting keywords that match the job description, and scoring your resume based on relevance. Problems arise when resumes use non-standard formatting: multi-column layouts, tables, embedded images, creative section headings, or unusual fonts can all cause the parser to misread or skip content entirely.
That's why ATS optimization matters. It isn't about gaming the system — it's about ensuring your real qualifications are accurately read and represented. A well-formatted resume that matches the job description's keywords will score higher and reach human reviewers more consistently.
8 tips to optimize your resume for ATS
- 1
Use standard section headings
Stick to headings ATS systems recognize: "Experience," "Education," "Skills," "Summary." Avoid creative labels like "My Journey" or "What I Bring."
- 2
Include keywords from the job description
Mirror the exact terms used in the posting. If the listing says "project management," use that phrase rather than just "managed projects." ATS matches are often literal.
- 3
Use a single-column layout
Multi-column layouts, sidebars, and text boxes confuse ATS parsers. A clean single-column structure ensures every line is read in the correct order.
- 4
Avoid tables, images, and graphics
ATS software cannot read content inside images, charts, or complex table structures. All of your qualifications should be in plain text.
- 5
Use standard fonts
Fonts like Arial, Calibri, Garamond, and Helvetica render reliably across all systems. Decorative or uncommon fonts may cause characters to be misread.
- 6
Save as PDF (not DOCX with complex formatting)
Modern ATS platforms parse PDF reliably. Avoid DOCX files with headers, footers, or text boxes, which can scramble the reading order.
- 7
Start bullet points with action verbs
Lead with strong verbs: "Designed," "Implemented," "Reduced," "Managed." ATS keyword algorithms weigh the first word of each bullet heavily.
- 8
Keep it to 1-2 pages
Most ATS systems handle 1-2 page resumes without issue. Longer documents increase the risk of parsing errors and dilute your keyword density.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to manage job applications. It scans, parses, and ranks resumes based on keywords, formatting, and relevance to the job description. Popular platforms include Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, and iCIMS. Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS to filter candidates before a human recruiter ever sees their resume.
How do I check if my resume is ATS-friendly?
Open the ResumeMD editor and paste or type your resume content. Click the Analytics panel to see your ATS compatibility score, readability metrics (Flesch Reading Ease and grade level), keyword analysis (action verbs, technical skills, soft skills), and section detection. The tool runs entirely in your browser with no signup required.
What resume format is best for ATS?
A reverse-chronological format is the safest choice for ATS compatibility. Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills), a single-column layout, and avoid tables, images, or complex graphics. PDF is the recommended file format as it preserves formatting while remaining parseable by modern ATS software.
Does ResumeMD's ATS checker require signup?
No. ResumeMD's ATS resume checker is completely free and requires no account. Your resume stays in your browser's local storage and is never uploaded to a server. Just open the editor, paste your content, and check your score instantly.
What's a good ATS score?
ResumeMD scores your resume on a 0-100 scale across three dimensions: readability (30%), keyword strength (40%), and content quality (30%). A score above 70 is considered good and means your resume is likely to pass most ATS filters. Aim for 80+ to maximize your chances. Scores below 50 indicate significant issues with formatting, missing keywords, or readability problems that should be addressed.
Related resources
- ATS resume guide — Everything you need to know about beating applicant tracking systems
- Resume examples — See ATS-friendly resumes across industries and roles
- Browse all 32 templates — Every template is designed for ATS compatibility
- Formatting guide — Learn the Markdown syntax in 5 minutes
- Resume formats — Chronological, functional, and hybrid format breakdowns
- Compare resume builders — See how ResumeMD stacks up against other tools
