What is a Good ATS Score? Complete Guide (2026)
If you've used an ATS resume checker, you've probably wondered: What is a good ATS score? Is 70% enough? Should you aim for 90%?
In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about ATS scores—what they mean, how they're calculated, and most importantly, how to improve yours.
What is an ATS Score?
An ATS score (also called a resume match score) measures how well your resume matches a specific job description. It's typically expressed as a percentage from 0% to 100%.
Here's what the score represents:
- 0-30%: Poor match — Your resume lacks most keywords the employer is looking for
- 31-50%: Below average — Some keywords match, but significant gaps exist
- 51-69%: Average — Decent match, but room for improvement
- 70-84%: Good — Strong match, likely to pass ATS filters
- 85-100%: Excellent — Outstanding match, high chance of reaching a recruiter
What is a Good ATS Score?
The short answer: Aim for 70% or higher.
Here's why:
Most Applicant Tracking Systems use a scoring threshold to filter candidates. While the exact threshold varies by company, industry research suggests:
| ATS Score | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Below 50% | High risk of automatic rejection |
| 50-69% | May pass some filters, but not competitive |
| 70-79% | Good score — likely to pass most ATS filters |
| 80-89% | Very good — strong competitive position |
| 90%+ | Excellent — you're a top match |
Is 75% a Good ATS Score?
Yes, 75% is a good ATS score. It indicates that your resume contains about three-quarters of the keywords and qualifications the employer is seeking.
At 75%, your resume will likely:
- Pass most ATS keyword filters
- Reach human recruiters for review
- Be considered for phone screening
However, if you're applying to highly competitive positions (think FAANG companies or senior roles), you may want to aim for 80%+ to stand out.
How is ATS Score Calculated?
ATS scoring typically considers these factors:
1. Keyword Matching (50-60% of score)
The biggest factor. The ATS scans your resume for:
- Hard skills: Python, SQL, Project Management, etc.
- Soft skills: Leadership, Communication, Problem-solving
- Job titles: Software Engineer, Product Manager, Data Analyst
- Industry terms: Agile, SaaS, B2B, Machine Learning
2. Skills Relevance (20-30% of score)
Not just having keywords, but having the right keywords in the right context:
- Are the skills in your work experience, not just a skills list?
- Do you have recent experience with key technologies?
- Are certifications current?
3. Experience Level (10-20% of score)
Does your experience level match the job requirements?
- Years of experience
- Seniority level
- Industry background
4. Education & Certifications (5-10% of score)
- Required degrees
- Relevant certifications
- Training programs
How to Improve Your ATS Score
Here are proven strategies to boost your ATS match score:
1. Use the Exact Keywords from the Job Description
Don't paraphrase. If the job says "project management," use "project management"—not "managed projects."
Example:
- Job description: "Experience with data visualization tools"
- ❌ Bad: "Created charts and graphs"
- ✅ Good: "Built dashboards using data visualization tools including Tableau and Power BI"
2. Include Both Acronyms and Full Terms
ATS systems vary in how they parse acronyms. Include both versions:
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- AWS (Amazon Web Services)
- CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
3. Match Your Job Title
If your actual title was "Client Success Associate" but the job posting says "Customer Success Manager," consider:
- Using the industry-standard title if it's accurate
- Adding the common title in parentheses: "Client Success Associate (Customer Success Manager)"
4. Quantify Your Achievements
Numbers stand out to both ATS and human readers:
- "Increased sales by 45% in Q3 2025"
- "Managed team of 12 engineers"
- "Reduced customer churn by 30%"
5. Use a Clean, ATS-Friendly Format
- No tables, columns, or text boxes — ATS can't parse these
- Standard section headers: Experience, Education, Skills
- Simple fonts: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman
- PDF or DOCX format — avoid images or fancy templates
6. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job
This is the most important tip. A single resume won't score 70%+ for every job.
Use an ATS resume checker to:
- Upload your resume
- Paste the job description
- See your match score and missing keywords
- Update your resume with relevant keywords
- Check again until you hit 70%+
Common ATS Score Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Keyword Stuffing
Don't cram keywords unnaturally. ATS is getting smarter, and human recruiters will reject stuffed resumes.
Bad example:
"Experienced project manager with project management skills in project management methodologies..."
Mistake 2: Using Graphics or Icons
That beautiful resume with icons for your skills? The ATS can't read it. Stick to text.
Mistake 3: Ignoring the Job Description
Every job description is different. A 90% score for one job might be 50% for another. Always tailor.
Mistake 4: Only Checking Once
Check your resume against the job description multiple times:
- Initial check → identify gaps
- After edits → verify improvements
- Final check → confirm 70%+ score
Best Tools to Check Your ATS Score
Here are reliable ATS resume checkers you can use:
1. Jobalytics (Recommended)
- ✅ Free to use
- ✅ Accurate keyword matching
- ✅ Shows exact missing keywords
- ✅ Job description comparison
- Try Jobalytics ATS Checker →
2. Jobscan
- Freemium model (limited free scans)
- Detailed reports
- LinkedIn optimization
3. Resume Worded
- AI-powered feedback
- Score and suggestions
- Requires account creation
ATS Score vs. Human Review
Remember: A high ATS score gets you past the robot, but humans make the final decision.
What ATS scores:
- Keyword matching
- Format compatibility
- Basic qualifications
What humans evaluate:
- Quality of experience
- Cultural fit
- Communication skills
- Career progression
Your goal: Score high enough to reach a human (70%+), then impress them with your actual qualifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average ATS score?
Most unoptimized resumes score between 30-50%. After optimization, the average rises to 65-75%.
Do all companies use ATS?
About 99% of Fortune 500 companies and 75% of all employers use some form of ATS. Assume every online application goes through one.
Can I have a 100% ATS score?
Technically possible, but not necessary. Even 70% is sufficient to pass most filters. Focus on relevance over perfection.
Does a high ATS score guarantee an interview?
No. ATS score determines if you pass the initial filter. Interview invitations depend on many factors including competition, hiring urgency, and recruiter judgment.
How often should I check my ATS score?
Check for every job application. What scores 80% for one job might score 50% for another.
Conclusion
A good ATS score is 70% or higher. This threshold gives you the best chance of passing automated filters and reaching human recruiters.
To achieve this:
- Use exact keywords from job descriptions
- Include both acronyms and full terms
- Keep your format ATS-friendly
- Tailor your resume for each application
- Use a reliable ATS checker tool to verify your score
Ready to check your ATS score?
Check Your Resume Score Free →
Last updated: January 2026