20 Best Google Fonts

So Many Choices!

According to Extensis, there are at least a half million fonts in the world today! No wonder we sometimes labor over which typeface to use. Let me ease that task a little bit by sharing with you what I consider the 20 best Google fonts.

Why Google Fonts?

For web work, Google Fonts are my primary source because they are open-source and free, and offer a huge number of typefaces. All of these offerings are viewable through a user-friendly interface with filters to help you focus on exactly the kind of typeface you need. Code is provided for embedding your selections onto a website. The fonts can also be downloaded for both print and web use.

The 20 Best List

The list contains 10 serif and 10 sans serif fonts. I included at least one slab serif, one condensed, and one display typeface. The criteria I generally use for choosing a typeface are:

• Each typeface family must have at least 2 weights with matching italics: regular/italic (or oblique) and bold/bold italic (or bold oblique)
• Legibility in headline and text sizes
• Appropriateness to site’s goals and branding

Some typefaces are available in the new Open Type “variable” technology, which is based on one default master. Different weights, widths, slants, italics, and sizes can be rendered from the master. This significantly reduces the number of fonts you need to download. I’ve indicated which type families are available in a single “variable” file.

Alegreya

Serif | 5 weights

Alegreya Sans

Sans Serif | 7 weights

Arvo

Slab Serif | 2 weights

Asap

Sans Serif | 4 weights

Barlow Condensed

Sans Serif | 9 weights

Cabin

Sans Serif | 4 weights + variable

Cormorant Garamond

Serif | 5 weights

Crimson Text

Serif | 3 weights

Gentium Basic

Serif | 2 weights

Karla

Sans Serif | 2 weights

Lato

Sans Serif | 5 weights

Merriweather

Serif | 4 weights

Merriweather Sans

Sans Serif | 6 weights + variable

Neuton

Serif | 3 weights

Playfair Display

Serif | 6 weights + variable

PT Sans

Sans Serif | 2 weights

PT Serif

Serif | 2 weights + variable

Rosario

Sans Serif | 5 weights + variable

Source Sans Pro

Serif | 6 weights

Source Serif Pro

Serif | 6 weights

What Are Your Favorite Google Fonts?

I’d love to hear what typefaces you like to use. Please indicate your favorites in the comments!

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