Free CV checker: is your CV ATS-friendly?
Paste your CV text or upload a PDF. In a few seconds you will see whether an applicant tracking system can read it, what is missing and what to fix. No account needed.
Check your CV
Paste your CV text or upload a PDF, or just drag the file onto this box. You get the result instantly, no sign-up.
The check runs in your browser. Your CV is never sent or stored anywhere.
What the checker looks at
The checker reads your CV the way an ATS does, as plain text. It looks for the things the software, and the recruiter after it, look for first.
- Whether any text can be extracted from your PDF at all. A scan or an image saved as PDF is a blank page to an ATS.
- Contact details: email, phone number and a LinkedIn link.
- Standard sections: experience, education, skills, languages and a summary or personal statement.
- Employment dates, and whether they use one consistent format.
- Length, action verbs and numbers that show results.
- Buzzwords such as "team player" or "hard-working", icons, emoji and skill levels shown as dots or stars.
- For the US market, whether your resume is likely to fit on one page.
How to read your score
Every CV starts at 100. An error takes off 12 points, a warning 6 and a tip 2. Our CV builder uses the same scale, so you can compare scores after you make changes.
Errors are things that can get a CV rejected straight away, like a missing email address or an unreadable PDF. Warnings are worth fixing before you apply. Tips are good practice. Not every tip suits every job, so treat them as suggestions rather than rules.
What the checker cannot see
The checker analyses text, not layout. It cannot see tables, two-column designs or graphics, and those are exactly what most often scramble a CV inside an ATS. A score of 100 does not guarantee that every system will parse your file.
For a quick layout test, upload your PDF and look at the text that appears in the box. If your experience is mixed up with your skills, or something is missing, an ATS will see the same. A single-column layout is the safest fix.
How to fix your CV after the check
Start with the errors, then the warnings. Use standard headings ("Work Experience", "Education", "Skills"), add any missing contact details and describe results with numbers.
If you would rather not fight with an old file, move your content into the NapiszCV builder. The templates use a simple layout, the builder scores your CV as you type, and the ATS PDF export saves real text that applicant tracking systems read without trouble.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CV checker free?
Yes, completely. You do not need an account or an email address, and you can check as many versions of your CV as you like. #
Is my CV uploaded anywhere?
No. The check runs in your browser. Your CV text and PDF are not sent to a server and are not stored. #
My CV is a Word document. How do I check it?
Open the file, select all the text, copy it and paste it into the checker. You can also save the document as a PDF and upload that. #
What is an ATS?
An applicant tracking system. Employers and recruitment agencies use it to collect and filter applications before a recruiter sees them. It extracts the text from your CV and sorts it into fields. If that fails, your CV may never reach a person. #
Does a score of 100 mean my CV will pass every ATS?
No. The checker reads text, not layout, so it cannot see tables, columns or graphics. A good score means your content is complete and readable. Whether you get an interview also depends on how well your CV matches the job advert. #