7 Best Free Fonts for Websites in 2025

10 min read

7 Best Free Fonts for Websites in 2025

Jef van de Graaf
Jef van de Graaf™
October 8, 2024

What’s one of the easiest ways to improve your website design without spending a dime?

It’s all about choosing the best free fonts for websites. Because a good font doesn’t just make your site look pretty—it boosts readability, speeds up load times, and helps define your brand.

In this article, we’ll explore why font choice matters and how you can find the perfect free font for your website.

Why Fonts Matter in Web Design

When it comes to web design, every detail plays a part in creating an engaging experience. However, one small detail that often gets overlooked? Fonts.

The font—or typeface, to be more exact—you choose can shape how people perceive your website and, by extension, your brand. The right font not only enhances the visual appeal of your site but also improves readability and user engagement.

Consider these statistics on how fonts are used across various mediums and platforms:

  • Around 70% of Fortune 500 companies use sans-serif fonts in their logos, highlighting their popularity for a modern, professional look.[1]
  • Serif fonts are typically preferred for print media due to their readability and can increase reading speed by up to 15%. [2]
  • Sans-serif fonts are ideal for mobile devices, offering clarity and improved readability on small screens.[3]
  • Emails with a sans-serif font tend to have higher open rates compared to serif fonts. [3]
  • Consistent use of a specific font can increase brand recognition by up to 80%.[4]
  • Studies show that over 60% of websites use custom or non-system fonts, and choosing the right one can enhance user experience by up to 40%.[5]

While fonts are vital for influencing people’s perception of your business, it’s just as crucial to ensure they enhance your audience’s experience when visiting your website.

So, let’s focus on finding the best free fonts for websites that balance design and performance.

Font Styles: Serif vs. Sans-Serif

Before diving into the best free fonts, let’s talk about the two major categories of fonts:

  • Serif fonts: These have small decorative strokes at the ends of letters. Serif fonts are typically associated with more traditional, print-heavy environments like books and newspapers, and they are known for their readability in long-form text.
  • Sans-serif fonts: These lack the extra strokes and have a more modern, streamlined look. Because of their simplicity and clarity, sans-serif fonts are preferred for digital content, especially on smaller screens like smartphones.
Serif vs San Serif

Can’t Decide Which Font Style to Use?

Good web design keeps things simple. That’s why sticking with one font family can be a smart approach.

By focusing on a single font family, you can maintain a clean, cohesive look while still adding depth and variety through different font weights.

For example:

  • Bold for headlines.
  • Regular for body text.
  • Light or italic for emphasis.

This creates visual hierarchy and adds character to your website without overwhelming users with multiple fonts.

Best Free Fonts for Websites

DM Sans

DM Sans is a simple, modern sans-serif font that works well for both headings and body text. Its clean lines ensure easy readability on all screen sizes. It’s a great choice for minimalist designs or content-heavy websites where readability is key. I’m also insanely in love with this font and use it on all my business websites (therefore, its the best font for all websites).

DM Sans Best Free Fonts for Websites

Websites using DM Sans
(Disclaimer: DM Sans is my go-to for personal projects and brands)

Inter

Inter was designed specifically for digital screens and user interfaces. Its highly legible design adapts well to different screen sizes, making it a great choice for responsive designs. Inter offers a range of stylistic alternatives, perfect for websites needing a flexible, modern look.

Inter Free Font

Websites Using Inter:

Lato

Lato is a versatile sans-serif font known for its semi-rounded letters, which create a friendly yet professional look. It’s perfect for websites that need a clean, approachable design, whether for headings or body text. Lato’s readability makes it ideal for both large and small screen devices.

Lato Free Google Font

Websites using Lato:

Montserrat

Montserrat is a bold, geometric sans-serif font that’s perfect for headlines and large text. Its clean, modern style is great for websites that want to make a visual impact. Montserrat pairs well with simple body fonts, making it an excellent choice for content-heavy websites.

Montserrat Free Font Family

Websites using Montserrat:

Open Sans

Open Sans is a highly versatile sans-serif font, known for its clean and neutral design. Its readability across all devices makes it a favorite for both headings and body text. It’s ideal for websites aiming for a professional, polished look without sacrificing accessibility.

Open Sans Font Family

Websites Using Open Sans:

Playfair Display

Playfair Display is a sophisticated serif font perfect for headings and larger text. Its classic look adds elegance to any website, making it a popular choice for more refined, stylish brands. Pair it with a sans-serif font for body text to create a balanced design.

Playfair Display Font Family
  • Oops… I can’t find any relevant examples. Can you?

Roboto

Roboto is a clean, modern sans-serif font designed by Google for web use. It’s popular for user interfaces and responsive websites. The font offers versatility with weights from thin to bold. Roboto ensures readability across all devices, delivering crisp text even on small screens. It’s perfect for sites needing a professional, easy-to-read design.

Roboto Font Family

Websites Using This Font:

Google Fonts Are a Smart Choice

When it comes to finding fonts, Google Fonts is my go-to option for web design, and for good reason. These fonts are free—and—they’re designed to ensure your website performs at its best.

Here’s why choosing Google Fonts makes sense:

Performance and Speed

  • Optimized for Web Use: Google Fonts are built to be lightweight, which helps reduce the load time of your website. In a world where every millisecond counts, using fast-loading fonts can make a huge difference.
  • Global Availability: Since Google Fonts are hosted on Google’s servers, they are distributed across a vast network, meaning they load quickly for users worldwide.

Enhancing User Experience

  • Cross-Browser Compatibility: Google Fonts work seamlessly across all modern web browsers, ensuring that your website looks great no matter how visitors access it.
  • Customizable and Versatile: With a wide variety of styles and weights, Google Fonts allow you to maintain consistency across your website’s design without sacrificing flexibility.

Choosing Google Fonts not only ensures your website performs well, but it also improves the overall user experience by keeping your site visually appealing and easy to navigate. Plus, with over 50 million websites using Google Fonts, you can trust their reliability.[7]

Want Your Brand to Stand Out? Consider Licensing a Font

If your goal is to make a strong visual statement with your website, you might be tempted to license a custom font. While around 80% of professional designers pay for font licenses, this route comes with its own set of challenges—especially for small businesses.[8]

Licensing fees can add up quickly, and many licensed fonts aren’t optimized for web use, meaning they can slow down your site and affect user experience.

That said, a custom font can elevate your brand and make you more memorable. If you’re ready to invest in something unique, here are a few recommendations for brands looking to license a font:

  • Proxima Nova: Ideal for a sleek, modern look, this font is widely used by brands that want a clean, professional aesthetic.
  • Gotham: This bold, geometric font is perfect for businesses that want to project trust and professionalism.
  • Freight Sans: A more approachable option, Freight Sans offers personality while maintaining a clean look.

Just keep in mind that performance matters. Make sure the font you choose is optimized for web use and won’t hurt your site’s load time.

Sometimes the Best Things in Life Are Free

But if you don’t have the budget for custom fonts, you’re still in luck. Sometimes the best things in life are free, and Google Fonts offers an impressive range of fonts that are not only free but also optimized for fast loading and web compatibility.

Hey–thanks for reading!

If you need help with your web design, check out my plans and pricing.

Or start a project with me here.


Frequently Asked Font Questions


What’s the difference between a font and a typeface?

A typeface is the design or style of the characters, like Arial or Montserrat. A font is a specific version of that typeface, such as Arial Bold 12pt. Essentially, a typeface is the artistic design, while a font is the detailed implementation (size, weight, etc.) of that design.


Should I use more than one font on my website?

I recommend using one primary font family for consistency. You can create variety using different weights (bold, regular, light) within the same font family.


Are Google Fonts good for web performance?

Yes, Google Fonts are optimized for fast loading and cross-browser compatibility. However, optimizing font delivery can further improve performance.


How can I choose the right font for my website?

Consider readability, brand alignment, and mobile-friendliness. Fonts like Sans-serif options are ideal for digital use, while serif fonts work well for formal, text-heavy sites.

Sources

  1. ECP Group
  2. Free Code Camp
  3. Veesham
  4. Monotype
  5. Whole Grain Digital
  6. BuiltWith Google
Jef van de Graaf

Jef van de Graaf™

Creative Director at Build An Online Business

Jef van de Graaf™ is your go-to expert for turning small business websites into lead-generating machines. Starting his journey as a freelance B2B copywriter in 2017, Jef has mastered the art of crafting compelling website content that drives clicks and conversions.

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