Free ATS Resume Keywords Checker
Check if your resume has the right keywords to pass ATS resume scanners. Paste a job description and your resume to instantly see your keyword match score, missing keywords, and how to improve your chances.
ATS Keyword Scanner
See exactly which keywords from the job description are in your resume and which are missing.
Instant Match Score
Get a keyword match percentage so you know how well your resume aligns with the job posting.
100% Private
All analysis happens in your browser. Your resume and job description are never sent to any server.
How the ATS Resume Keywords Checker Works
Three steps to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems.
Paste the Job Description
Copy the full job posting and paste it into the first text box. We'll extract the important keywords.
Paste Your Resume
Copy-paste the text from your resume into the second box. No file upload needed.
See Your Results
Instantly see your match score, found keywords, and missing keywords you should add to your resume.
Check Your Resume Keywords
Why ATS Resume Keywords Matter
Over 75% of companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before a human ever sees them. These systems scan for specific keywords from the job description — if your resume doesn't contain enough of them, it gets automatically rejected, regardless of your qualifications.
ATS keywords typically include hard skills, software tools, certifications, job titles, and industry-specific terms. Our free resume keywords checker extracts these from any job description and tells you exactly which ones are in your resume and which are missing.
The ideal keyword match score is 60% or higher. Below that, your resume is at risk of being filtered out. But don't keyword-stuff — ATS systems also flag unnatural keyword usage. The key is to weave relevant terms organically into your experience and skills sections.
For the best results, tailor your resume for each application. Use our checker to verify your match score, then use LoopCV to automatically apply to jobs with your optimized resume across 20+ job boards.
Common ATS Resume Keywords Questions
What are ATS resume keywords?
ATS resume keywords are specific words and phrases that applicant tracking systems look for when scanning your resume. These typically include hard skills (e.g., "Python", "project management"), certifications ("PMP", "AWS Certified"), job titles, industry terms, and software tools mentioned in the job description. Including the right keywords is essential to getting past automated filters.
How do I find the right keywords for my resume?
The best source of ATS keywords is the job description itself. Look for repeated skills, required qualifications, tools, and specific phrases. Our free resume keywords checker does this automatically — paste in the job description and your resume, and it shows you exactly which keywords you're matching and which you're missing.
What is a good ATS keyword match score?
A keyword match score of 60% or higher is generally considered good and gives your resume a strong chance of passing ATS filters. Scores between 40-60% are borderline — your resume may or may not get through. Below 40%, your resume is likely to be filtered out before a recruiter ever sees it.
What are the best ATS keywords by industry?
ATS keywords vary significantly by industry. For software engineering: Python, JavaScript, Agile, CI/CD, REST APIs. For marketing: SEO, Google Analytics, content strategy, CRM, conversion rate. For customer service: CRM software, conflict resolution, customer satisfaction, SLA. For finance: financial modeling, Excel, compliance, risk assessment. Always match keywords to the specific job description rather than using generic lists.
Can I use the same resume for every job application?
Using the same resume for every application is one of the biggest mistakes job seekers make. Each job posting uses different keywords, and ATS systems match against the specific description. Tailoring your resume for each application — or at least each type of role — can increase your keyword match score by 20-40%. Tools like LoopCV let you create multiple resume variations and automatically match the right one to each job.
Resume Keywords Checker FAQ
Have questions? Find answers below or contact us .
Is this resume keywords checker free?
Yes, our ATS resume keywords checker is 100% free. No sign-up, no email, no hidden fees. You can check as many resumes and job descriptions as you like.
Do you store my resume or personal data?
No. All keyword analysis happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your resume text and job description are never sent to any server. When you close or refresh the page, all data is gone.
How does the keyword extraction work?
Our tool extracts meaningful keywords and phrases from the job description — including skills, tools, certifications, and industry terms — while filtering out common words. It then checks which of these keywords appear in your resume text and calculates a match percentage.
What's the difference between this and a full ATS check?
Our free tool focuses specifically on keyword matching — the most important factor in passing ATS filters. A full ATS check (like LoopCV's AI CV Checker) also analyzes formatting, structure, readability, section ordering, and provides AI-powered improvement suggestions.
How many keywords should my resume have?
There's no fixed number, but aim for a keyword match score of 60% or higher. This typically means including 15-25 relevant keywords from the job description. Focus on hard skills, technical tools, certifications, and role-specific terms rather than generic soft skills.
Should I include keywords exactly as written in the job description?
Yes, whenever possible. ATS systems often do exact-match scanning, so 'project management' and 'managed projects' may be treated differently. Use the exact phrases from the job posting, and place them naturally in context — don't just list them.
What are the most common ATS keywords for resume scanners?
The most important ATS keywords are specific to each job posting. However, commonly scanned categories include: technical skills (Python, SQL, Excel), certifications (PMP, CPA, AWS), tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, Jira), methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Six Sigma), and industry terms. Always extract keywords from the actual job description rather than using generic lists.
Can LoopCV help me optimize my resume further?
Yes. LoopCV's AI CV Checker provides a comprehensive resume analysis including ATS compatibility scoring, formatting checks, content suggestions, and keyword optimization. After optimizing, you can use LoopCV to automatically apply to hundreds of matching jobs every day across 20+ job boards.
More Free Career Tools
Get Your Resume Past Every ATS
LoopCV optimizes your resume, then auto-applies to hundreds of matching jobs daily.
Used by 100,000+ job seekers worldwide.
No credit card required