Free ATS Resume Checker
75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human sees them. Check your score and get actionable suggestions to improve.
What is an ATS (Applicant Tracking System)?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to filter and rank job applications. Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software like Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, and iCIMS to manage their hiring process.
How Does Our ATS Checker Work?
Our ATS resume checker analyzes your resume across 5 key areas:
- Keyword Match (40%) — How well your resume keywords match the job description
- Format Compliance (25%) — Whether your formatting is ATS-parseable
- Section Completeness (15%) — Presence of required sections like Experience, Education, Skills
- Content Quality (10%) — Strength of bullet points and achievement orientation
- Length & Density (10%) — Appropriate resume length and keyword density
Tips to Improve Your ATS Score
- Use keywords directly from the job description
- Avoid graphics, tables, and complex formatting
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills)
- Include both spelled-out terms and acronyms (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)")
- Use a clean, single-column layout
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ATS resume checker?
An ATS resume checker analyzes your resume against a job description to determine how well it would score in an Applicant Tracking System. It checks for keyword matches, formatting compatibility, section completeness, and content quality to help you optimize before applying.
Is this ATS checker really free?
Yes! Our ATS resume checker is completely free — no sign-up required. Free users get 3 checks per month. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited ATS checks.
What ATS score do I need to pass?
Most ATS systems use a threshold between 70-80% to filter candidates. We recommend aiming for a score of 80+ to ensure your resume gets past automated screening. A score of 90+ gives you the best chance of reaching a human recruiter.
How do ATS systems work?
ATS systems parse your resume text, extract key information (name, experience, skills), and compare it against the job description. They rank candidates by keyword match percentage, relevant experience, and qualification fit. Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software like Workday, Greenhouse, and Lever.
What file format should I use for ATS?
PDF is generally the safest format for ATS in 2026. Most modern ATS systems handle PDF well. Avoid .pages or heavily formatted files. A clean .docx file also works well as a fallback.
Why is my ATS score low?
Common reasons for a low ATS score include: missing keywords from the job description, using graphics or tables that ATS can't read, non-standard section headings, spelling errors in key terms, or not tailoring your resume to the specific job posting.
Want to build an ATS-optimized resume from scratch? Try our AI resume builder. Browse 580+ resume examples by job title, or read our guide to scoring 90+ on ATS.