Free Fonts for Magazines
Picking the best magazine fonts for your publication is a vital early step to take, whether you’re making your own DIY zine or launching a brand new title with global aspirations. Your typeface as a magazine is the conduit between your writers and their audience, and the choices you make will have a huge impact on how your publication is perceived.
Free Fonts for Magazines
01. Montserrat
Montserrat is very popular, but it’s a good starting point. Originally designed by Julieta Ulanovsky, who took inspiration from the signage in the Montserrat neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, it’s an elegant sans serif that’s available in nine different weights, giving you real versatility, and it’ll work equally well for headings and body copy.
02. Lora
This well-balanced serif font would suit long-form essays and reviews. Taking some inspiration from calligraphy, Lora blends nicely brushed curves with strong distinctive serifs, and is definitely one to consider if you’ve got no budget to speak of, but want something that feels elevated. It only offers a couple of weight options, however.
03. Gentium Plus
If you’re looking for a straightforward, nuts-and-bolts font for your magazine’s body copy, Gentium Plus is a good one. It’s a clean and legible serif, nothing too showy – if you want something a little weightier, there’s also Gentium Book Plus. It’s made and distributed, like many fonts, by SIL International, an evangelical Christian nonprofit that promotes linguistics and literacy around the world.
04. Tourney
The Source Serif family is free for personal and commercial use if you’re already an Adobe subscriber, but since it does require swearing that particular blood oath, we’re keeping it in the paid-for category. Designed by Frank Grießhammer, it’s available in six weights, giving you plenty of flexible options for your body copy. It’s a good alternative to nice but overused fonts like Garamond.
11. London
As the name implies, London is a good typeface for fashion mags. Its thick-to-thin contrast produces lettering that is striking and impactful without being too overbearing, and would fit the bill nicely for headings and logos. It’s designed by Jen Wagner and is available at Creative Market.
12. New York
Continuing our metropolitan theme, Artem Nevsky’s New York font is free to download for personal use – so if you’re distributing a zine for free, go nuts, but for commercial use you’ll need to buy a licence. Hearkening back to the mid-century looks of iconic magazines like the New Yorker (naturally), it’s impactful enough to work for headlines while being smooth and legible enough for body copy.
13. SIGNIA Pro
This impactful, modern-feeling sans serif is inspired by European street signage. If you like the clean lines and easy legibility of Montserrat, but simply can’t bear the idea of using such a popular font, SIGNIA Pro is a nicely elevated alternative – though be aware that it doesn’t give you as many weight options.
14. Bebas Neue Pro
Bebas Neue Pro has been refreshed for 2024. A popular, professional font, Bebas Neue Pro by Ryoichi Tsunekawa is another option that requires kissing the Adobe ring in perpetuity. It received a refresh and update in 2024, adding a long-awaited lowercase script that makes it a viable option for magazine work. There’s an enormous selection of weights available for this elegant, efficient typeface.
Conclusion
Choosing the right font for your magazine can be a daunting task, but with these options, you can find the perfect fit for your publication. Whether you’re looking for a classic serif or a modern sans serif, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use these fonts for commercial purposes?
A: Some of the fonts listed, such as Bebas Neue Pro, require a licence, while others, like Gentium Plus, are free for personal and commercial use.
Q: Can I use these fonts for my zine?
A: Yes, many of the fonts listed are free for personal use, including Gentium Plus, Lora, and London.
Q: Are these fonts suitable for online use?
A: Yes, all of the fonts listed are suitable for online use, but be sure to check the font’s licensing terms before using it.
