Free Reference Letter Template: 74 Examples of Reference Letters

Need to write a reference letter? No sweat! Use these 74+ free reference letter templates to craft a flawless letter in no time.

Free Reference Letter Template: 74 Examples of Reference Letters

There comes a dark day in every person’s life…the day they get asked to provide a reference letter. Your stomach sinks. Your palms start to sweat. Your mind goes blank. Ugh!

Okay…maybe it isn’t quite that bad…but it’s still a moment most of us dread and a moment most of us will encounter. Sooner or later. Queue ominous music. 😉

Luckily there are many (many) different free reference letter templates you can lean on to help you craft an excellent letter. I’ve rounded up 74+ examples of reference letters for all occasions from professional to possibly criminal (such as a character reference letter to a judge). In addition to a free reference letter template, many of these resources include tips on customizing letters to fit your needs!

1. Free Microsoft Word Reference Letter Templates (the balance) – Do you use Microsoft Word? If so, this free reference letter template is for you! It’s perfect for professional purposes, such as during the hiring process. Tip: Microsoft Word offers lots of other professional templates as well, including templates to use when you’re requesting a reference letter and thanking someone for providing a reference letter!

2-49. 49+ Reference Letter Templates (template.net) – Here’s a whole heaping helping of examples of reference letters. Whether you need a job reference letter, a reference letter for a perspective new landlord, or anything in between, template.net has got you covered!

50. Letter of Reference Template (Vertex42) – What I really appreciate about this free reference letter template is that it’s compatible with a variety of applications including Microsoft Office (Word), Open Office, and Google Docs, so no matter what type of computer and word processor you’re using you should be able to take advantage of it.

51-53. Effective Reference Letter Samples And Templates For 3 Common Occasions (Fairygodboss) – This awesome resource not only provides examples of reference letters for 3 very different occasions (getting a job, getting an apartment, and borrowing money), it also walks you through each scenario step-by-step and provides helpful hints. By the way, Fairygodboss is a great company review and general professional site created by women for women…so if you’re a working mom, check it out! 🙂

54-63. How to Write a Reference Letter: Sample & Guide [+10 Examples] (uptowork) – In addition to a free reference letter template, this article offers pro tips and examples of bad habits or the wrong thing to do. If you’re in a position where you may get asked to write multiple reference letters, it’s definitely worth reading as it’ll help you really break into the nitty gritty and write your own reference letters without relying on templates.

64. Reference Letter Template & Tips for Writing an Effective Letter (FitSmallBusiness.com) – Can’t find examples of a reference letter that fit your specific needs? Are you sure…cause I’ve got a boatload here! 😉 If not, and you need to craft your own reference letter, be sure to read this article. It tells you how to get started and the key ingredients in every reference letter.

65-73. 9 Sample Excellent Recommendation Letters for Your Job (Prep Scholar) – The free reference letter templates on Prep Scholar are pretty thorough. They’ve got templates for employers, coworkers, teachers, and even character reference templates (ex. character reference letter to judge)! Plus they offer up tons of guidelines to follow so you can ensure your letter has the strongest impact possible.

74. Here’s a Template to Write a Perfect (and Personalized!) Letter of Recommendation (themuse) – Just want a simple, basic free reference letter template? Look no further! This example of a reference letter is great for professional purposes and super to the point.

There you have it, more than 74 examples of reference letters for just about every occasion under the sun!

Tip: Don’t just use these free reference letter templates when someone asks you for a reference letter. Pick one that you think has the most impact and use it as a suggestion when you ask someone for a reference letter. As long as you make your request a suggestion (not a demand) by saying something like “I’m looking for something like this example reference letter,” it won’t seem too pushy and the writer may even appreciate the helpful guide. 🙂

I hope you find these free reference letter templates helpful. Good luck!