Google Docs has free cover letter templates built into its template gallery, and you can access them in under a minute.
This guide covers where to find them, how to customize them, which built-in options work best for different roles, and what to know about ATS compatibility before you submit.
Is there a cover letter template in Google Docs?
Yes. Google Docs includes a small selection of free cover letter templates in its Template Gallery under the "Letters" category.
These include named designs such as Spearmint, Swiss, Geometric, and Modern Writer.
Each is fully editable in your browser, saves automatically to Google Drive, and can be exported as a PDF or Word file when you are ready to apply.
Google does not label these specifically as "cover letter templates", they sit within a broader letters section.
However, they follow standard professional cover letter format and are widely used for job applications.
How do you get a cover letter template on Google Docs?
You can access a cover letter template in Google Docs in five steps, starting from the Google Docs homepage.
No additional software or account is needed beyond a standard Google account.
Once you open a template, it saves automatically to your Drive and is ready to edit immediately.
- Go to docs.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
- Click "Template gallery" in the top right corner of the homepage.
- Scroll down to the "Letters" section.
- Choose a template; Spearmint, Swiss, Geometric, and Modern Writer are the most practical for job applications.
- Click the template to open a new editable copy in your Drive.
Rename the document before you start editing so your file is easy to find later.
Replace all placeholder text with your own information, working through the header, date, recipient details, and body paragraphs in order.
What are the built-in Google Docs cover letter templates?
Google Docs has four templates well suited to cover letters, each with a distinct layout and tone.
The right choice depends on your industry and how formal the role is.
| Template | Best for | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Spearmint | Corporate, finance, healthcare, government | Clean typography, subtle color accents, structured layout. The most versatile option and a safe choice across most industries. |
| Swiss | Marketing, design, media, startups | Asymmetric layout with precise, clean lines. Modern without being visually heavy. |
| Geometric | Engineering, data, technical roles | Structured format with subtle graphic elements. Contemporary but still conservative in presentation. |
| Modern Writer | General professional use, first-time applicants | Content-forward layout that prioritizes text clarity and traditional formatting. The simplest and most readable option. |
Resume.io also offers a broader range of cover letter templates and examples with styles suited to everything from creative industries to senior-level corporate roles.
If you want your cover letter to visually match your resume, matched sets are available.
What makes a good ATS cover letter template for Google Docs?
An ATS-compatible cover letter uses a single-column layout, standard fonts, and no decorative elements that automated screening software cannot read.
When choosing or adjusting a Google Docs template for online applications, these are the factors that matter most.
- Single-column layout: Multi-column designs are common in visually styled templates, but ATS software often misreads them, pulling text from the wrong column or skipping sections entirely. Spearmint, Modern Writer, and Geometric are the safest built-in choices for this reason.
- No text boxes or graphics: Icons, logos, decorative lines, and elements placed outside the main document flow are frequently skipped by ATS systems. Every part of your letter should sit in the main body of the document.
- Standard fonts only: Arial, Calibri, and Georgia parse correctly across automated tools. Uncommon or decorative fonts can display incorrectly when a document is processed by ATS software.
- Relevant keywords from the job description: Building your letter around effective keywords gives ATS software the signals it needs to match your application to the role. Even the cleanest template will not compensate for missing relevant terms.
- PDF on submission: Most ATS systems cannot process a live Google Docs sharing link. Always export your finished letter as a PDF before submitting, this preserves your formatting and ensures the document can be read by automated systems and hiring managers alike.
Rsearch suggests 49% of hiring managers say attaching a cover letter can improve job chances (Resume.io Cover Letter Statistics, 2025).
Getting the format right is the foundation but making it readable by both humans and automated systems is what gives it the best chance of being seen.
How do you customize a cover letter template in Google Docs?
Customizing a Google Docs cover letter template takes around 15 to 20 minutes once you have your information ready.
Click directly into any section to start editing.
Work through the document from top to bottom, header, date, recipient details, and body paragraphs, replacing all placeholder text with your own content as you go.
1. Adjusting fonts and layout
Highlight any text and use the toolbar to change the font type and size.
For margins, go to File > Page setup.
A standard one-inch margin on all sides works for most professional applications.
Keep body text between 10 and 12 points, anything smaller becomes difficult to read in print, and anything larger can make a letter feel unpolished.
2. Saving a reusable master copy
When you have a version you are satisfied with, keep it as a master.
Each time you apply for a new role, go to File > Make a copy before editing, this protects your original and gives you a clean document to tailor for each application.
Name each copy clearly, for example "Cover Letter - [Company Name] - [Date]," so your Drive stays organized across multiple applications.
3. Tailoring the content for each role
A template gives you the structure, the content still needs to match the role you are applying for.
Update the opening paragraph to reference the specific position and company.
Adjust the middle section to highlight the skills and experience most relevant to that job description.
Generic cover letters sent without tailoring are easy for hiring managers to identify, and tips on adapting your content for specific roles and industries can help you get more from each version you send.
Can I find professional cover letter templates for Google Docs?
Yes. Beyond the built-in Google Docs templates, Resume.io offers professionally designed templates that go further in terms of variety, visual quality, and writing support.
The built-in options are a practical starting point, but they offer limited variety and no guidance on what to write.
Using one of our templates covers a wider range of styles and includes matched resume and letter sets, which is useful if you want a consistent visual presentation across your application.
For those who want support with both formatting and content, our cover letter builder includes writing tools and formatting that adapts to your industry, making for an easy customization process.
Should you send a cover letter as a Google Doc, PDF, or Word file?
Yes, send your cover letter as a PDF in almost every situation.
A PDF preserves your formatting exactly, regardless of the software or device the recruiter uses to open it.
Google Docs sharing links and .docx files can display differently depending on the recipient's setup, which risks your layout appearing broken or inconsistent.
There is one exception: when a job posting explicitly requests a Word document.
In that case, export your Google Doc as a .docx file via File > Download > Microsoft Word.
Never submit a live Google Docs link unless the application specifically asks for one.
Most ATS systems cannot process a shared link as a document, which means your application may not be reviewed at all.
When your letter is finished, export it via File > Download > PDF Document before submitting.
Why use a cover letter generator instead of using Google Docs free cover letter templates?
Google Docs is a free, versatile option for creating a cover letter but that doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for you.
An online cover letter builder may offer additional benefits that Google lacks.
Specifically, some benefits of a cover letter generator include:
- AI-powered features: The Resume.io Cover Letter Builder has artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make writing your cover letter a breeze. Using AI, the builder can analyze your resume and the job description to create a targeted, custom cover letter.
- Personalized cover letter guidance: A cover letter generator offers personalized suggestions based on your experience and industry. It gives you a professional cover letter that follows best practices.
- Adjustable templates and styles: With a cover letter builder, you can easily switch between different templates and styles. You can also create a letter that matches your resume and other application materials.
Key takeaways
- Google Docs includes four free cover letter templates in its Template Gallery under the "Letters" section: Spearmint, Swiss, Geometric, and Modern Writer.
- To access them: open docs.google.com, click "Template gallery," scroll to "Letters," and select the template you want to edit.
- For ATS-safe applications, use a single-column layout, standard fonts, and no text boxes or graphics; Spearmint, Modern Writer, and Geometric are the safest built-in choices.
- Always export your finished cover letter as a PDF before submitting, unless the employer specifically requests a Word file.
- Resume.io offers a wider range of professionally designed cover letter templates beyond the Google Docs built-in gallery, including matched resume and cover letter sets.
FAQs
These are the most common questions about using cover letter templates in Google Docs.
What are the best free cover letter templates available on Google Docs?
The four built-in Google Docs templates most suited to cover letters are Spearmint, Swiss, Geometric, and Modern Writer.
Spearmint is the most versatile and works across most industries, whilst Swiss suits creative and marketing roles.
Geometric fits technical and engineering applications, however.
Modern Writer is the safest choice for general professional use and first-time applicants.
How do I insert my information into a Google Docs cover letter template?
Click directly into any section of the template and replace the placeholder text with your own details.
Start with your name and contact information at the top, then update the date, the recipient's name and company, and the body paragraphs.
Use File > Make a copy before editing if you want to keep a reusable master version intact.
Is it better to use a Google Docs template or a cover letter builder?
Yes. Google Docs templates are free and easy to access, but they offer limited variety and no writing support.
A cover letter builder provides a wider range of designs, formatting matched to your resume, and guided writing tools.
If you are confident in your writing and just need a clean format, Google Docs is a reasonable choice.
If you want more design options or support with what to write, a dedicated builder is likely a better fit.