Times New Roman: Free Alternatives & Similar Fonts
If you’re looking for free alternatives to Times New Roman, here are 7 of the highest-quality look-alikes and similar fonts.
- EB Garamond (more formal)
- Merriweather (modern and versatile)
- Heuristica
- Source Serif
- DM Serif Display (great for serif headers)
- PT Serif
- Charis SIL (modern and distinguished)
For each, I’ll mention the advantages, disadvantages, and why you might choose it. Ready? Let’s get started.
You’re reading Free Font Alternatives: The Ultimate Guide. Quickly navigate to other fonts: Intro · Apercu · Avenir · Circular · DIN · Futura · Gotham · Helvetica · Proxima Nova · Times New Roman
1. EB Garamond
The elegant EB Garamond is a fantastic alternative for Times New Roman.
As an older and more classic serif font, EB Garamond feels even more formal and fancy than Times New Roman. Great for when you need to convey that something feels classic, wise, formal, or luxurious.
What it’s got: 5 weights + italics
Get it at: EB Garamond on Google Fonts
2. Merriweather
The Google Font Merriweather is a versatile serif that fits a wide range of modern usages.
Merriweather is softer and more casual than Times New Roman, yet still distinguished. It’s – in my opinion – one of the best serif fonts on Google Fonts.
What it’s got: 4 weights + italics
Get it at: Merriweather at Google Fonts
3. Heuristica
The uncommonly seen Heuristica is a fantastic free option similar to Times New Roman.
Heuristica belong to the same family of typefaces as Times New Roman, transitional serifs, and its slightly different letterforms feel both familiar and yet fresh. A fantastic choice, and hugely underrated.
It’s also worth noting that Heuristica looks distinguished and fresh for headers too.
What it’s got: 2 weights + italics
Get it at: Heuristica at Font Squirrel
4. Source Serif
For a font similar to Times New Roman, but not so omnipresent, Source Serif 4 is flexible and optimized for screens.
Like Heuristica above, Source Serif is from the same family of typefaces as Times New Roman, making it an at once fresh yet familiar similar font. Notably, the font comes in 6 weights, giving you an enormous amount of flexibility to use it as a brand typeface.
At bolder weights, Source Serif has a chunky, almost friendly appearance. However, this can be modified 😉…
The variable font version has an optical size axis.
- By setting optical size to a low value (8pt is the minimum), you get a version optimized for small sizes – with ultra-legible characters and large serifs.
- By setting optical size to a high value (60pt is the maximum), you get a version optimized for large sizes – with thin serifs, high contrast, and a fine, precise vibe
This is a rare feature for a free font – enjoy 🙂
What it’s got: 8 weights + italics; also available as a variable font with weight and size axes
Get it at: Source Serif 4 at Google Fonts
5. DM Serif Display
As the “display” signifies, DM Serif Display is only suitable for headers. But where it can be used, it shines.
It blows my mind that this font is not more widely seen, since it’s a fantastic free transitional serif in the same vein as Publico. I use it on my own portfolio, and love its stately and elegant feel. But: warning – use only for titles and subheaders. And when you do, make sure to pair it with a sans serif font (read a step-by-step guide to pairing fonts).
Oh, and as a bonus, DM Serif Display has a beautiful set of italics (not shown).
What it’s got: 1 weight + italics
Get it at: DM Serif Display at Google Fonts
6. PT Serif
While quite modern compared to Times New Roman, PT Serif makes a great serif alternative.
The triangular serifs establish PT Serif as a more modern font. Structurally, it shares little in common with Times New Roman, but if you’re looking for something that has an air of importance, yet isn’t too stuffy or old, PT Serif is worth a try.
For titles, PT Serif feels modern and slightly friendly – so for a very formal design, you might want to look elsewhere.
What it’s got: 2 weights + italics
Get it at: PT Serif on Google Fonts
7. Charis SIL
The underrated Charis SIL is a versatile, free, modern serif.
Charis SIL is fantastic on a number of counts. First, you almost never see it in the wild. It’s very underused. Second, it walks the the fine line between being old/stuffy and modern/flashy. It’s a serif that would feel as happy labelling modern art as millenia-old artifacts.
And it also shines when used as a title. An all around fantastic font similar font to Times New Roman – but at the same time, strikingly different.
What it’s got: 2 weights + italics
Get it at: Charis SIL at Font Squirrel
Other Times New Roman Alternatives
If you’re looking to branch out from Times New Roman, it’s worth checking out some of the other alternatives in this guide. For instance, the Helvetica alternatives are clean, simple options that work across a wide range of brands.
You’re reading Free Font Alternatives: The Ultimate Guide. Quickly navigate to other fonts: Intro · Apercu · Avenir · Circular · DIN · Futura · Gotham · Helvetica · Proxima Nova · Times New Roman
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