Free ATS resume checker
Upload your resume for an instant ATS score, the fixes that matter and what a parser actually reads. No sign-up, and the file is read in your browser, not uploaded. Paste a job ad too and you’ll see the keywords and hard requirements you’re missing.
PDF, DOCX or TXT, up to 8 MB. Or drop it here.
Add a job description (optional, for keyword match)
No resume handy?
- Checks parsing, structure, content and keywords
- Your file is read on your device, never stored
- No sign-up, no email, no paywall
What this resume checker looks at
Most applicant tracking systems start the same way: they pull the text out of your file and try to sort it into fields such as name, contact details, job titles, employers, dates, education and skills. Recruiters then search that database by keyword. A resume can be strong and still read badly to that process.
ResumeATS runs up to 18 checks grouped into four areas, then weights them into a score out of 100. The score is an estimate, not a verdict from any particular vendor’s software.
- Parsing
- Is there selectable text? Do columns, tables, text boxes, icons or header regions scramble the reading order?
- Structure
- Can a parser find your contact details, standard section headings and dated roles?
- Content
- Length, action-verb bullets, numbers that show results, and phrases like “responsible for”.
- Keywords
- With a job ad pasted, how many of its most repeated terms your resume contains, exactly or as a variant.
Does my resume pass an ATS scan?
There is no single pass mark. What does happen, in general terms:
- Parsing can fail quietly. An image-only PDF yields no text; a two-column template can merge a job title with a skill from the sidebar. Open “What a parser reads” in your results to check.
- Knock-out questions filter first. Many application forms ask yes/no questions (work authorisation, licences, minimum years). Those answers, not your formatting, often decide who is screened out.
- Keyword search decides visibility. A recruiter who searches for “Salesforce” won’t find a resume that only says “CRM”. Using the job ad’s exact wording, where it’s true for you, helps.
Try the plain-text test. Select all the text in your PDF, copy it and paste it into Notepad or TextEdit. If it comes out in the right order, with headings and dates intact, most parsers will cope. The “What a parser reads” panel does the same thing for you.
Read the full breakdown in what an ATS is and how it reads resumes, then fix the format with the ATS-friendly resume guide.
How to use your score
- Fix every red item first: they are the problems most likely to lose text or sections.
- Paste the job description and close the keyword gaps you honestly can.
- Rewrite weak bullets with the bullet point generator.
- Re-scan. Aim for “Good” or better, then stop polishing and apply. What counts as a good ATS score depends on the tool, so read the bands rather than the raw number.
A score moves in steps because each check is pass, check or fix. Seeing exactly which rule costs how many points is part of the design: the scoring page lists every weight.
No job ad to hand? Start from your role
Keyword lists for common jobs: skills, tools, certifications and example bullets to compare against your resume.
Questions people ask
How do I check if my resume is ATS-friendly?
Upload it above and look at “What a parser reads”: if your name, headings, job titles and dates come out in order, a parser can read it. A quick manual test is to copy all the text from your PDF and paste it into a plain text editor; jumbled or missing lines mean trouble.
Is 77% (or 79) a good ATS score?
On ResumeATS, 70–84 means “Good, with fixes”: readable, with a few checks costing points. Other checkers use different rules, so numbers don’t transfer between tools. Fix the red items and close real keyword gaps rather than chasing 100.
Is there an ATS resume test I can run online for free?
Yes: this page is one. Upload your resume and the checker extracts the text the way a parser would, shows it to you, and runs up to 18 checks on parsing, structure, content and keywords. Nothing to install and no account.
Can ChatGPT check my resume’s ATS score?
A chatbot can comment on wording, but it can’t see your file’s layout, text layer or header regions, which is where parsing problems come from. Use rule-based checks for parsing and structure, and AI for wording; this page does both.
Is this ATS resume checker really free?
Yes. The checks run in your browser, there is no sign-up and no limit on how many times you scan. The optional AI review is also free, with a small hourly limit to keep it available for everyone.
Does my resume get uploaded or stored?
Your file is opened and read on your own device; it is not uploaded for the checks. If you press “Get AI review”, the extracted text is sent once to an AI model to write the review and is not stored by ResumeATS.
Will my resume pass the ATS if I score 100?
No tool can promise that. The score estimates how cleanly your resume can be parsed and how well it covers a job ad’s wording. Employers configure their systems differently, and a person usually makes the final decision.
Is a PDF or a Word file better for an ATS?
Both usually work when the PDF has real, selectable text and a simple layout. Follow the job posting if it asks for a specific format. A scanned or image-only PDF is the one format that reliably fails, because there is no text to read.
Why does the checker want a job description?
Recruiters search and filter candidates by skills and job titles. Comparing your resume to the actual ad shows which of its repeated terms you already use and which you have left out.
What file types can I check?
PDF, DOCX and plain text. Old .doc files cannot be opened in a browser; save them as .docx or PDF first. You can also paste your resume text directly.