See your resume exactly how
ATS algorithms see it.
Upload your PDF. We'll parse it instantly in your browser, give you a precise score, and show you exactly what to fix. Your file never leaves your device.
Upload your PDF ↗
Never leaves your device
Text extraction and scoring run entirely inside your browser. We never upload, save, or view your PDF.
No account, no tracking
No forced sign-ups, no paywalls at the end, and zero behavioral tracking scripts on this page.
Detailed fixes, not just a score
Get a breakdown of how the parser mangled your layout, plus actionable advice on verbs and keywords.
Upload your PDF Resume
Drag and drop your file here, or click to browse. Max size 2 MB.
Browse files ↗The private ATS resume scanner that shows whatrecruiting software actually reads
Most resumes are screened by an Applicant Tracking System before a human looks at them. CleanATS is a free ATS resume checker and resume parser simulator that scores your PDF, reveals how it is read, and tells you exactly what to change, without uploading your file or asking you to sign up.
How to check your resume for ATS compatibility
Upload your PDF resume
Drop a text-based PDF into the checker. It is read locally in your browser and never uploaded.
See how an ATS reads it
Compare your original layout with the raw text stream and the parsed profile to spot scrambled order, missing fields and unreadable sections.
Fix issues and share your score
Follow the prioritized fixes, rescore, and download or share your score badge.
What your ATS resume score is based on
Your ATS score combines how readable your file is for software with how persuasive your content is to a recruiter. Eight areas are checked:
Contact details
Name, email, phone and links sit in plain text, not in headers, footers or images.
Section headings
Standard titles like Experience, Education and Skills that parsers recognize.
Reading order
Whether columns, tables or text boxes scramble the order your content is read.
Dates and titles
Consistent date formats and clearly detected job titles and employers.
Fonts and characters
Garbled symbols, ligatures, odd bullets and missing spaces from text extraction.
Action verbs
Strong, specific verbs instead of weak phrases like responsible for.
Quantified impact
Numbers, percentages and outcomes that show results, not just duties.
Keywords
Relevant skills and terms placed in context, without keyword stuffing.
Common reasons resumes fail ATS screening
- Using a two-column or graphic-heavy template that scrambles reading order
- Putting contact details inside the page header or footer
- Exporting a scanned or image-only PDF with no text layer
- Using creative section names like My Journey instead of Experience
- Listing duties with no numbers, results or strong action verbs
- Mixing date formats or leaving dates off roles
Who uses this free resume scanner
- Job seekers. Find out why you are not hearing back and fix the real cause.
- Students and freshers. Build a clean first resume that passes automated screening.
- Career changers. Reframe experience with the right keywords and structure.
- Professionals applying at scale. Check each tailored version in seconds, privately.
A resume checker that respects your privacy
Your resume contains personal data, so it stays on your device. The PDF is parsed locally, nothing is stored, and there are no accounts or tracking scripts on this page. The optional AI review sends only redacted text, never your file.Read our privacy policy.
ATS resume checker: frequently asked questions
What is an ATS and why does my resume get rejected?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that employers use to collect, parse and rank resumes. If the parser cannot read your contact details, section headings, job titles or dates, your resume can be ranked low or filed incorrectly before a recruiter ever sees it. Multi-column layouts, tables, text inside images and decorative fonts are the most common causes.
How does this free ATS resume checker work?
Your PDF is opened inside your browser, its text layer is extracted, and a parser simulation shows the order in which text is read, which sections and fields were detected, and where the layout caused problems. You then get a score with a breakdown and specific fixes for formatting, action verbs, quantified impact and keywords.
Is my resume uploaded or stored anywhere?
No. Parsing and scoring happen locally in your browser, so your PDF is never uploaded. If you choose the optional AI review, only the extracted text is sent for analysis, with contact details redacted first, and it is not stored. There are no accounts and no tracking scripts on this page.
What is a good ATS score for a resume?
As a practical target, aim for 80 or higher. A high score means your resume is easy for software to read and well structured. It is a diagnostic, not a guarantee, because every employer configures their system differently and recruiters still make the final decision.
Are two-column resumes bad for ATS?
Often, yes. Many parsers read text in the order it is stored in the file, which can interleave two columns and scramble your experience and skills. A clean single-column layout with standard headings is the safest choice. The parser view on this page shows exactly how your own file gets read.
Should I upload my resume as a PDF or a Word file?
A text-based PDF exported from a word processor or resume builder is accepted by most modern systems, and it keeps your formatting stable. Avoid scanned or image-only PDFs, because there is no text for the ATS to read. If an application specifically asks for .docx, follow that instruction.
Does a high ATS score guarantee interviews?
No. Scoring well removes parsing problems and improves how clearly your experience is presented, but interviews also depend on your qualifications, the role and the competition. Treat the score as a way to avoid being filtered out for avoidable formatting reasons.
Which ATS does this tool simulate?
It models the general behavior of resume parsers, such as reading order, section detection and field extraction, rather than copying the proprietary logic of one vendor. That makes the findings useful across the systems employers commonly use.
How can I improve my ATS score quickly?
Use one column, standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills), consistent date formats, a real text layer, and bullet points that start with strong action verbs and include numbers. Then mirror relevant keywords from the job description where they honestly apply to you.
Is it really free, and do I need an account?
Yes, it is free and there is no sign-up. You can score as many resumes as you like and see the full breakdown without creating an account.