PDF or DOCX? The best resume file format for ATS

One of the most common resume questions: should you submit a PDF or a DOCX for an ATS? The short answer — a text-based PDF or a DOCX both parse well; an image, a scan, or a fancy layout is what causes problems.

PDF vs DOCX

• Text-based PDF: parses reliably in modern ATS and preserves your layout. A safe default.
• DOCX: also parses well and is sometimes preferred by older systems.
• Avoid: image-only PDFs, scans, or exporting your resume as a picture — the text can't be read.

What actually breaks parsing

• Multi-column layouts and tables — read out of order.
• Text inside images or graphics — skipped entirely.
• Key info in headers/footers — often ignored.
• Unusual fonts — can garble characters.

Not sure your file parses? Upload it to ATSBuddy — it extracts the text server-side and tells you if the format is ATS-safe, before you apply.