Free ATS Resume Checker: Score Your Resume Against the Job
See how an ATS reads and scores your resume before a recruiter does. Paste your resume to run it through the same keyword and formatting checks that filter applicants out.
Most resumes are read by software before a person ever sees them. An applicant tracking system, or ATS, turns your resume into plain text and matches it against the job description. When the parse fails or the keywords do not line up, strong candidates get filtered out before a recruiter opens the file.
This checker reads your resume the way an ATS does. Paste your resume, add the job description if you have one, and you get a score with the exact keywords you are missing and the formatting that could break parsing.
It is free to run. Create a free account to see your score.
How the ATS resume checker works
- Paste your full resume text into the resume box.
- Paste the job description you are targeting. This is optional, but it turns a general score into a keyword match for that specific role.
- Run the check to get your ATS score.
- Review the missing keywords and the formatting issues the report flags.
- Edit your resume to add the missing keywords where your experience supports them, and fix the flagged formatting. When you want the rewrite done for you, use the Resume Enhancer.
What your ATS score means
The score is a guide, not a verdict. It reflects how closely your resume matches the target role on keywords and how cleanly it parses. As our general guidance we suggest aiming for 80% or higher, with around 70% as a reasonable pass line for most roles. A low score is best read as a short list of concrete fixes, not a rejection. Read more in our guide on what a good ATS score is.
Keyword match vs formatting: the two things that get you filtered
Two separate problems sink resumes. Keyword gaps mean the role's important terms are absent, so the ATS ranks you below people who used them. Formatting problems mean the ATS cannot read your resume cleanly: multi-column layouts, text inside images, tables, and unusual headings can turn into garbled text. The checker flags both, so you know which one to fix first. If you need the right terms for your field, the Keywords Finder and our resume keywords by role are a good place to start.
How to read your report and fix the gaps
Work top down. Add the missing keywords where your real experience supports them, in your own words, never stuffed in for their own sake. Fix any formatting the report flags. When you want the rewrite handled for you, open the Resume Enhancer: it rewrites your resume section by section and places the right keywords in the right sections automatically.
Free vs paid: what you get
- Free: run the ATS check and see your preview report, plus one free CV rewrite (one-time, no monthly reset).
- Fix My CV, $19 one-time: 5 resume downloads as PDF or DOCX, full AI rewrites, and the complete report. No subscription.
- Job Application Sprint, $39/mo: unlimited downloads, unlimited rewrites, and a tailored resume for every job you apply to. Cancel anytime.
See the full breakdown on our pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ATS resume checker free?
Yes. You can run the check and see your preview report without an account. Downloads and full AI rewrites are on the paid plans.
Do I need a job description to check my resume?
No. Without one you get a baseline score against general ATS best practices. Adding the job description gives you a keyword match tailored to that specific role.
What resume format works best?
Paste your resume text directly into the box. If you export from a builder, a simple single-column layout parses far more reliably than multi-column designs, tables, or text inside images.
What is a good ATS score?
Aim for 80% or higher, with around 70% as a reasonable pass line for most roles. Treat the number as a guide to what to fix, not a final verdict on your resume.
How do I fix the issues it finds?
Add the missing keywords where your real experience supports them, and fix any flagged formatting. To have the rewrite done for you, open the Resume Enhancer.
Related guides
Deciding between ATS tools? See how WowThisCV compares to Jobscan, Teal and Rezi.