Where to Get Free Fonts
Typefaces. How to search. Where to find them.
What are Fonts vs Typefaces?
Before discussing where to source your fonts, we should address the elephant in the room: Fonts and typefaces mean two different things.
Typefaces are technically what most people call fonts. Times New Roman, Helvetica, and Comic Sans are examples of typefaces. They are a set of glyphs (letters, numbers, and symbols) with the same visual design, style, and construction.
Fonts are variations within a typeface. Some typefaces have only one version, but most have multiple, like bold, italic, heavy, medium, and more. Sometimes, they're represented by a number, which indicates weight. There's no standard system across type foundries (the companies and studios that make typefaces), so font names, weights, and descriptions are all relative.
Does the difference matter?
Don't worry if you mistake one thing for another. Only the most pedantic designers will pretend not to understand you. Most people say "font" because word processors made that the default term. I know hundreds of designers, for example, who do amazing work and don't know the difference.
Ultimately, you don't have to either. If someone corrects your vocabulary, you don't have to take them seriously because it's not a serious issue.
However, knowing the difference can help you in search engines. Everyone uses the word "fonts." Type that word into Google, and you'll get all the terrible cut-and-paste websites you can stomach. Type in "typeface," and the quality suddenly improves. Use expert vocabulary, and you'll get expert sources.
Similarly, you might get better results by searching for "open-source" typefaces. That is the term foundries and type designers use to describe their freely available, royalty-free typefaces.
Beware DaFont and Font Squirrel
I see these two archives recommended often. My advice: don't start with them. Sure, they offer thousands of free typefaces, but there are better, more ethical sources for typefaces. Here's why you shouldn't use either of those two websites:
- Quality is low. Most of the typefaces on DaFont and Font Squirrel are rubbish. There's no quality assurance except popularity—and that popularity game emerges from an audience that isn't critical of typography or representative of who you're likely making games for.
- Functionality is narrow. Many typefaces on these websites lack language support for non-English languages and are resource-intensive on your computer. Even if these issues are irrelevant to you, by using their typefaces, you risk hurting Future You if your game becomes popular.
- Theft is rampant. Some typefaces are original. Others are counterfeit duplicates of someone else's work. Best case scenario: you're stealing from one of the typeface monopolies like Monotype. More likely, you're using a typeface made by someone who lives in a small apartment and budgets for groceries. DaFont and Font Squirrel do not work hard enough to prevent this.
Better Alternatives
Google Fonts provides computer and web fonts, including free and open-source font families. It also offers an interactive web directory for browsing the library and APIs for using the fonts via CSS and Android.
Adobe Fonts. Not technically free. However, if you have an Adobe subscription, you're already paying for it. It's easily one of the highest-quality databases out there, and the usage rights are fairly permissive, too.
Use & Modify. Curated by the site's owner, Raphaël, this website is a treasure trove of typefaces from all over the internet. What makes it special is that you can narrow your search by author, license, and keywords.
Open-Foundry. A popular platform that curates open-source typefaces to highlight their beauty, activate ideas, and encourage exploration. It's explicitly open-source, which makes it a reliable place despite occasional dips in quality.
Free Faces. Another curated collection of typefaces from across the internet. I like that it links to the source rather than hacking off the origins and leaving you with a download link.
Uncut. A free typeface catalog focusing on somewhat contemporary type. I like the transparency around privacy and sourcing.
Type Foundries
Velvetyne. Famous for its wild, gonzo, and experimental typefaces. They range from brilliant to "I dare you to use this!" You probably won't find as many typefaces for your body text on this website, but this is the place for display typefaces. There isn't a single font in this foundry that's boring.
The League of Movable Type. The first open-source type foundry. High-quality, well-supported, and surprisingly fresh—I have nothing but good things to say about the League.
Tunera Type Foundry. Fun, funky, and fresh. I love the variety here. You can find type for a range of projects, from the elegant to the positively goofy. This Libre Type Foundry is new for me (Thanks for the lead, Emmuel!)
Lost Type Co-Op. Pay what you want for fun, funky, functional typefaces that range from classic to kitsch. My only caveat is that their functionality and language support on some typefaces is limited. Try things out before you go all in.
Colllectttivo. Collletttivo is an open-source type foundry and a network of people promoting the practice of type design through mutual exchange and collaboration. They also have an excellent resources page. An excellent source.
ETC Type. All of their open-source typefaces are on Google Fonts and Figma. Still, I like linking the original website for posterity. It's important to know when the same person or people make several typefaces because they often pair well together—or can be used in the same publication.
Atipo Foundry. Based out of Spain, this foundry provides typefaces for designers, students, and folks otherwise boxed out of other foundries for economic reasons. You can pay what you can for most of their typefaces.
Educational Links
Eventually, I'll need to compile a separate list just for education and inspiration. In the meantime, here are a few websites to check if you're just getting started or need to brush up.
Google Fonts Glossary of Terms. This knowledge center lists every term, concept, and phrase used to describe type. Reading from start to finish can be overwhelming—use this to look things up.
Typewolf. One of the greats. This website shares examples of type in use across the internet. It also has a blurb on nearly every typeface with alternatives. Just type into Google a font's name + Typewolf, and you might get a webpage with free alternatives and font pairings.
Fonts in Use. The best place on the internet for inspiration. The sheer number of books, magazines, and manuals curated here is phenomenal. It's also a great place to crib your typesetting, like size, leading, and more.
Collectivo's Resources. This collection includes many websites, tools, podcasts, and more. Many of them are far beyond my skills or expertise. If you're especially inclined to make fonts (or modify a pre-existing one for a logo), this is a good place to mine.
Butterick's Practical Typography. A free book on the basics of typography. The author has a fun, editorial voice that keeps things fresh and grounded.
Explorers Links
I've largely avoided typography on Explorers. It's a monumental subject with so many great resources that anything I write will be a discounted knockoff. Still, typography is the foundation of layout—so these semi-related articles, tools, and products might be useful.
Clayton Notestine
Clayton Notestine
Clayton Notestine
Clayton Notestine
Explorers Bookshop. In addition to the usual rpg haunts. I have an affiliate bookstore on Bookshop that sources books from local stores and ships them to your home. "Thinking with Type 3rd Edition" by Ellen Lupton is my most recommended book.
Final Thoughts
Thanks for reading! Feel free to comment below with your favorite resources. I'll update this list periodically with anything I forget or discover later. Eventually, I might share a list of paid but affordable sources.
Until then, never stop exploring.
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