Free ATS Resume Templates You Can Edit and Download
The right resume template keeps your details readable for both people and applicant tracking systems. Start with a clean, single-column ATS resume template, fill it in with your own details and download a text-based PDF. The free plan includes 5 core templates; all 68 are on Pro and Elite.
Why Your Resume Layout Choice Is More Important Than You Think
Think of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) as a friendly but slightly blind robot. When you apply for a job online, companies like Amazon, Google, or local hospitals don’t hire a real human to open 500 PDF attachments one by one. Instead, a robot computer program scans your document first.
If your resume layout uses fancy multi-column tables, hidden text boxes, or custom icons, the robot gets confused. It might read your phone number as your job title, or completely skip your work experience! Using a proven ATS friendly resume template makes sure the robot can read every single word cleanly—so your application makes it straight to the hiring manager's desk.
What Makes a Resume Template ATS-Friendly
An ATS-friendly template keeps everything in one column, uses standard headings (Summary, Experience, Education, Skills), standard fonts and real text, with no information hidden in tables, text boxes or images. Designed templates are not "bad"; they are simply riskier when software reads the file first. The table compares the two types.
| Feature | ATS-safe template | Designed template |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | One column, top to bottom | Sidebars, two or more columns, graphics |
| Reading order for software | Predictable and easy to extract | Can be mixed up across columns |
| Fonts and colour | Standard fonts, dark text, one accent at most | Display fonts, coloured blocks, icons |
| Skills display | Plain text lists | Rating bars or dots, which carry no text meaning |
| Best for | Online applications and large employers | Handing a copy to a person, portfolio-style roles |
| File format | Text-based PDF | Text-based PDF (never an image) |
Not sure which type your file is? Run it through the ATS resume checker, or read our ATS-friendly template guide.
Resume Template PDF, Word or Google Docs: Which Format?
Mira Resume downloads your resume as a text-based PDF. A PDF keeps fonts and spacing identical on every device, and as long as the text is selectable, applicant tracking systems read it well. We do not export to Word or Google Docs, so if you need to make a change, edit the resume in the builder and download a new PDF. If you prefer to work in a word processor, our guides on Word resume templates and Google Docs resume templates explain how to keep those files ATS-safe. Read more about free resume template downloads and which ones to avoid.
Resume Templates by Experience Level and Industry
- Students and first jobs: a one-page template that leads with education, projects and skills. See the simple resume format.
- Experienced professionals: a reverse-chronological layout with a short summary and results-focused bullets. See the chronological resume template.
- Senior leaders: a one- to two-page layout that shows scope and outcomes, as in the executive resume guide.
- Healthcare, tech, sales and service: start from our resume examples by profession.
Key Benefits of Using Our Free Resume Templates
How to Choose & Create Your Ideal Resume Template
Select Your Target Industry
Choose a modern resume template if you are in tech, design, or marketing. Choose a simple resume template for healthcare, finance, or government jobs.
Tailor Your Content with Specific Keywords
Paste the job posting into the ATS resume checker to find the hard skills required by the employer and place them into your selected template.
Enhance Your Bullet Points with Metrics
Instead of writing "Responsible for customer service," use the AI writing help in the AI resume builder to write "Resolved 50+ customer issues daily with a 98% satisfaction rating."
Download as a Text-Based PDF
Download your finished resume as a text-based PDF so it looks the same on any device. To change it later, edit it in the builder and download again.
Featured Resume Template Categories
Resume Template Best Practices
- • Keep font sizes between 10pt and 12pt for body text and 14pt to 16pt for section titles.
- • Set page margins to at least 0.5 inches (preferably 0.75 inches) so text doesn't get cut off when printed.
- • Use standard reverse chronological resume template order for experience.
- • Highlight hard skills in a separate, clear bulleted section for quick robot index scanning.
Common Layout Mistakes to Avoid
- • Never put essential contact info inside graphic headers or image backgrounds.
- • Don't use rating progress bars (e.g., "Python: 4 out of 5 stars"). Robots cannot read visual bars.
- • Avoid submitting image scans (.png or .jpg). Always submit a text-based PDF.
- • Avoid non-standard headings like "Where I've Been" instead of "Work Experience."
Resume Templates: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ATS-friendly resume template?
A single-column, reverse-chronological template with standard headings, a readable font and real text. It is not flashy, but it keeps your information in order for both software and people.
Are free ATS resume templates really free to download?
On Mira Resume, the free plan includes 5 core ATS templates and PDF export without a card. All 68 templates are part of Pro and Elite. Be wary of sites that let you edit for free and then charge at download.
Do resume templates in Word or Google Docs pass the ATS?
They can, when they are simple and use real text. Problems come from tables, text boxes and decorative elements. Mira Resume exports a text-based PDF from its own templates, and our guides explain how to keep Word and Docs files ATS-safe.
Are two-column resume templates ATS friendly?
Often not. Some systems read across both columns line by line and mix up your skills and job history. If you like the look, keep key information such as job titles and dates in the main column and test the file with an ATS checker.
Can I download my resume template as a PDF?
Yes. Mira Resume downloads resumes as text-based PDF files. They keep the layout consistent on any device and are accepted by almost all employers. If an employer asks for another format, follow their instruction.
Which fonts and colors are safe in an ATS template?
Use common, readable fonts at 10 to 12 points, and dark text on a white background. A single subtle accent colour for headings is fine. Do not rely on colour alone to carry meaning.
How do I know if a template passes an ATS?
Fill it in, export the PDF and run it through an ATS checker. Check that the text is selectable, headings are detected and nothing is out of order. You can also copy the text from the PDF into a plain text editor to see the reading order.