What is a good readability score for a CV?

Aim for 75+ out of 100. Scores above 75 indicate clear, scannable content that recruiters can absorb in their typical 7-second initial review. Scores below 50 suggest dense, complex writing that most recruiters will skip. The sweet spot is 80–90: professional enough to demonstrate expertise, clear enough to be instantly understood.

How is CV readability different from a grammar check?

Grammar checkers ensure your sentences are correct. Readability analysis ensures they're effective. You can have perfect grammar but terrible readability. Long, complex sentences with no rhythm or visual hierarchy. ApplyArc measures sentence length, paragraph density, white space, bullet ratio, jargon level, and tone consistency. A grammatically perfect CV can still score 30/100 on readability.

Is the 7-second scan really real?

Yes. Eye-tracking studies by Ladders (2018) confirmed that recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds on an initial CV scan. In that time, they form a snap judgement about whether to read further. Readability determines whether your key achievements register in those seconds or get lost in dense text.

Can making my CV more readable hurt its professionalism?

No. The opposite is true. Clear, concise writing signals competence and respect for the reader's time. The most senior executives have the shortest, most readable CVs. Readability isn't about dumbing down your content; it's about presenting it so the right information lands immediately. Specificity and clarity are more professional than complexity.

Is the resume readability score free?

Yes. You can start with 5 AI generations per month at no cost, no credit card required. That's enough to get your readability score, see every issue, and get specific fix recommendations. Premium unlocks unlimited analyses for every version and every application.

Readability Analyser

Updated February 2026

A Recruiter Spends 7 Seconds on Your CV. Is Yours Readable Enough?

Tracking jobs does not get interviews. Actions do. Get an instant readability score for your CV and see exactly what to cut, shorten, or restructure to make those 7 seconds count.

See How It Works

Free to start · No credit card required

Right Content, Terrible Readability. The Silent Interview Killer

Your CV might have the right experience, the right skills, and the right keywords. But if it's presented in long paragraphs, complex sentences, and wall-of-text sections, recruiters skip past you. The 7-second scan is real, and readability determines whether your achievements register or get lost.

❌ Hard to scan

"Responsible for the development and implementation of complete digital marketing strategies across multiple channels including social media, email, and paid advertising, resulting in increased brand awareness and customer engagement metrics across all target demographics in the EMEA region."

43 words. One sentence. Recruiter's eyes glaze over.

Easy to scan

• Led digital marketing across social, email, and paid channels in EMEA

• Grew brand awareness by 34% in 6 months

• Increased engagement 2.1x across all target demographics

Same content. Three bullets. Instantly scanned.

What We Analyse

Six dimensions of readability. Each with a specific benchmark and actionable fix.

Sentence length

Target: 15–20 words avg

Average should be 15–20 words. Longer sentences lose the recruiter mid-scan. Shorter ones feel choppy and lack substance.

Paragraph density

Target: Max 3 lines per block

Dense paragraphs signal 'wall of text' to a scanning recruiter. Bullet points and white space guide the eye where you want it.

White space balance

Target: 30–40% white space

Too little white space overwhelms. Too much suggests thin content. The right balance makes your CV feel professional and approachable.

Bullet point ratio

Target: 70%+ bullets

Recruiters scan bullets, skip paragraphs. Key achievements should be in bullet format. Prose works only for summaries and brief context.

Jargon level

Target: Moderate jargon

Industry jargon shows expertise. But too much alienates non-specialist recruiters reading your CV first. Balance accessibility with credibility.

Tone consistency

Target: Consistent throughout

Mixing formal and casual tones makes your CV feel disjointed. Consistent professional tone builds trust from the first line to the last.

Three Steps to a Scannable CV

Upload your CV

Drop your CV into ApplyArc. The AI analyses sentence structure, paragraph density, white space, tone, and visual hierarchy.

Get your readability score

Receive a 0–100 score with a breakdown across all six dimensions. See exactly which sections are dragging your score down.

Fix the issues

Get specific 'cut this', 'shorten that', 'restructure here' recommendations. Fixes become part of your daily action plan.

What You Actually Get

Precise diagnostics. Not a vague "your CV looks dense."

Readability Score (0–100)

A clear, instant score showing how scannable your CV is. Aim for 75+. See how each section contributes to (or drags down) the total.

Tone Analysis

Is your CV formal, casual, or technical? See whether your tone is consistent throughout and appropriate for your target industry.

Density Heat Map

Visualise which sections are too dense, too sparse, or just right. Dense sections get flagged with specific restructuring suggestions.

'Cut This' / 'Shorten That' Fixes

Every issue comes with a specific recommendation: split this sentence, convert this paragraph to bullets, remove this filler phrase. Actionable, not vague.

Your AI Career Coach

Ask the Coach: "Is my CV too dense for a recruiter scanning quickly?" It analyses sentence length, paragraph density, and visual flow. Then tells you what to cut, what to shorten, and what to restructure.

🤖 AI Career Coach

"Your CV scores 52/100 on readability. The main issue: your experience section averages 31 words per bullet. Nearly double the ideal of 15–20. Your summary paragraph is 87 words with no line breaks. Here's what I'd do: split your summary into 3 punchy bullets, cut your longest 5 bullets to under 20 words each, and convert the education section from paragraph to list format. That should push you above 80."

The Coach doesn't just measure readability. It fixes it. Every recommendation is specific, actionable, and becomes part of your daily action plan. That's an action system, not a readability calculator.

Make Every Second Count

Upload your CV and get an instant readability score with specific fixes. Know exactly what to cut, shorten, and restructure. Before any recruiter sees it.

5 AI generations per month · No credit card required