Free ATS Resume Checker: Score Your Resume Against the Job
See how your resume scores against the job before a recruiter does. Paste your resume text to get an ATS score, the keywords you are missing and the top changes to make.
Resume Text
Job Description (optional)
Industry (optional)
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 the resume text you paste in. Add the job description if you have one, and you get a score, the keywords you are missing, notes on your headings, dates and structure, and the top changes to make.
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 format notes in the report.
- Edit your resume to add the missing keywords where your experience supports them, and act on the format notes. 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 text matches the target role on keywords and structure. 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, so keep a simple layout. The checker reads your resume text, so it can't see your layout. To check layout, copy your resume into a plain text editor. If the sections and dates still read in the right order, an ATS can likely read it too. Used as a resume keyword checker, it surfaces the exact terms the target role expects and flags the ones your resume is missing. If you need the right terms for your field, 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. Act on the format notes in the report. When you want the rewrite handled for you, open the Resume Enhancer: it rewrites your resume section by section into stronger bullets from your real experience, and fixes the format. You choose which missing keywords to add.
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/month recurring subscription: 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. Running the check is free. Create a free account to see your score, and note that 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 your wording and format rewritten for you, open the Resume Enhancer.
Related guides
Deciding between ATS tools? See how WowThisCV compares to Jobscan, Teal and Rezi.