Times New Roman has been a resume staple for decades. It signals professionalism and readability two things hiring managers appreciate. But using Times New Roman for every single element on your resume can look flat and outdated. Pairing it with the right complementary font creates visual hierarchy, draws the eye to key sections, and makes your resume look polished without trying too hard. Choosing the best font to pair with Times New Roman on a resume is a small design decision that can make a real difference in how your application is perceived.

Why Does Font Pairing on a Resume Even Matter?

A resume is not just a document it's a first impression. Recruiters spend an average of 6 to 7 seconds on an initial scan (source: Ladders eye-tracking study). In that brief window, typography affects how easily someone finds your name, job titles, and accomplishments. A well-chosen pairing creates contrast between headings and body text, guiding the reader's eye naturally. A poor pairing or no pairing at all can make everything blend together and get overlooked.

Font pairing is the practice of selecting two typefaces that complement each other in style, weight, and mood. On a resume, you typically use one font for headings and another for body text (or use different weights of the same family). The goal is contrast without conflict.

What Makes a Good Font Partner for Times New Roman?

Times New Roman is a serif typeface with moderate contrast, traditional letterforms, and a somewhat condensed width. To pair well with it, a complementary font should offer some visual contrast while still feeling professional. Here's what to look for:

Contrast in classification: A sans-serif font paired with the serif Times New Roman creates a clean, modern-versus-traditional balance.
Similar x-height: The lowercase letters should feel roughly proportional so the two fonts don't look mismatched when placed side by side.
Matching formality level: Don't pair Times New Roman with a playful display font. Keep the tone consistent for professional documents.
Good readability at small sizes: Resume body text is often set at 10–11pt. Both fonts need to remain legible at that size.

For a deeper look at how complementary fonts work with Times New Roman, this breakdown of professional resume typography using Times New Roman covers the reasoning behind specific pairings.

Which Fonts Pair Best With Times New Roman on a Resume?

1. Calibri

Calibri is one of the safest and most popular choices. It's the default sans-serif in Microsoft Word, so it renders reliably across all systems. Its soft, rounded letterforms balance the sharper edges of Times New Roman. Use Calibri for headings and Times New Roman for body text or vice versa. If you want a detailed walkthrough of this specific combination, the Times New Roman and Calibri font combination guide explains sizing and formatting in detail.

2. Arial

Arial is a clean, neutral sans-serif that pairs well with nearly any serif. It's widely available on both Mac and Windows, making it a dependable option for resumes that will be opened on different operating systems. Its even stroke weight contrasts nicely with Times New Roman's variable thick-thin strokes.

3. Calibri Light

A lighter weight of Calibri, this variant feels more modern and airy. It works well for section headings or your name at the top of the resume while Times New Roman handles the heavier body text.

4. Garamond

If you want to stay within the serif family, Garamond is an elegant option. It's slightly wider and more refined than Times New Roman, making it a natural complement for headings while Times New Roman does the heavy lifting in the body. Just make sure there's enough differentiation in size or weight so the two don't look like a formatting mistake.

5. Helvetica

Helvetica is a classic sans-serif that brings a Swiss design sensibility. Its clean geometry pairs well with the traditional feel of Times New Roman. It's especially effective for creative or tech-adjacent resumes where you want a slightly modern edge without going overboard.

6. Georgia

Georgia is a serif typeface designed specifically for screen readability. Pairing two serifs is unusual, but Georgia's larger x-height and wider letterforms give it enough contrast with Times New Roman to work particularly if you use Georgia for headings at a larger size.

7. Lato

Lato is a humanist sans-serif that feels warm and approachable. Its semi-rounded details soften the overall look without sacrificing professionalism. It's a strong pick if your resume needs to feel personable rather than rigid.

8. Roboto

Roboto is Google's go-to typeface for Android and web interfaces. Its mechanical skeleton and friendly open curves create an interesting tension with Times New Roman's old-style roots. It works particularly well for resumes submitted through online portals where you want a clean, screen-optimized look.

9. Open Sans

Open Sans is a humanist sans-serif optimized for print, web, and mobile interfaces. Its neutral but friendly appearance makes it a versatile partner for Times New Roman, especially in industries where clarity and approachability matter like education, healthcare, or nonprofit work.

10. Cambria

Cambria was designed for on-screen reading and works well at small sizes. Pairing it with Times New Roman gives a subtle serif-to-serif contrast that feels cohesive but not redundant. Use one for headings and the other for body paragraphs to create clear visual separation.

You can explore more combinations and see specific pairings in this full font pairing resource for resumes using Times New Roman.

What Font Size Should You Use When Pairing?

Size is as important as the fonts themselves. Here's a reliable starting point:

Your name: 16–20pt in the heading font
Section headings: 12–14pt in the heading font
Body text: 10.5–11.5pt in the body font

Aim for at least a 2-point difference between heading and body font sizes. This creates enough visual separation that a recruiter's eye moves through the document naturally.

What Are Common Mistakes When Pairing Fonts With Times New Roman?

Using too many fonts: Stick to two fonts maximum. Three or more looks cluttered and unprofessional.
Pairing two very similar serifs: Times New Roman and a nearly identical serif like Palatino can look like a formatting error rather than a deliberate design choice.
Ignoring weight contrast: If both fonts are the same weight and size, neither stands out. Use bold, size, or font style to create hierarchy.
Using decorative or script fonts: Fonts like Comic Sans or Papyrus might seem harmless, but they undermine the professional tone Times New Roman establishes.
Not testing the PDF output: Some fonts look different when exported to PDF. Always check the final file before sending it.

How Do You Decide Which Pairing Is Right for Your Resume?

Think about the industry and role you're applying for:

Corporate, legal, or finance: Calibri or Arial with Times New Roman. Clean, conservative, expected.
Creative or design roles: Helvetica or Lato with Times New Roman. Shows design awareness without going off-brand.
Academic or research positions: Garamond or Georgia with Times New Roman. Traditional and scholarly.
Tech or startups: Roboto or Open Sans with Times New Roman. Modern but grounded.

Quick Checklist: Pairing Fonts With Times New Roman on Your Resume

Choose one complementary font not two, not three. Just one.
Use one font for headings and the other for body text. Keep it consistent throughout.
Set body text between 10.5–11.5pt and headings at 12–16pt.
Use bold or weight variation to reinforce hierarchy within each section.
Export to PDF and check that both fonts render correctly at actual size.
Print a copy what looks good on screen may not look good on paper.
Ask a friend to scan the resume for 7 seconds. If they can't find your job title and most recent role quickly, adjust your hierarchy.

Next step: Open your resume right now. Pick one pairing from the list above, apply it, and save a PDF. Compare it side by side with your current version. If the paired version is easier to scan in under 10 seconds, you've found your answer.