How to choose a font for your project

Choosing a font is easier when you start from the job it has to do instead of from a list of favourites. Ask what the text will say, where it will appear and who will read it.

1. Match the font to the content

Long reading, such as articles and reports, needs a font with open shapes and generous spacing. Serif fonts like IBM Plex Serif are a dependable choice. Short, loud text such as posters and headings can use a display font like Bebas Neue.

2. Check the characters you need

Before you fall for a font, make sure it supports every language and symbol in your text. A font that lacks a glyph will fall back to another font and break your design. On each Fonts1 page the supported scripts are read from the file itself, so you can trust that list. If you need Bengali, start from the Bengali fonts category.

3. Limit yourself to two families

One font for headings and one for body text is enough for almost every project. Use weight and size, not more families, to create hierarchy.

4. Read the license

A font that is free to download may still restrict commercial use. Always check the license section on the font page and the font licensing guide.

5. Test with real text

Type your own headline into the preview box on the font page. Look at it at the sizes you will actually use, on both light and dark backgrounds.