The Google Font catalog boasts an impressive collection of over 1,000 fonts, making it the largest and most user-friendly free font repository available. However, with such a vast selection, choosing the perfect font combinations can feel overwhelming. But fear not, we’re here to assist you in picking the best Google Fonts for your next design project.
Select from our curated list of tried-and-true font combinations that are suitable for a variety of applications, including infographics, pitch decks, and everything in between. Let us help you elevate your blog and design with the right font pairings from Google Fonts.
How to Choose the Right Font Pairing
Choosing the right font pairing is a critical aspect of design that requires careful consideration. Fonts play a significant role in setting the tone, conveying the right message, and creating a cohesive visual identity. The context of your design, such as the purpose, target audience, and overall style or theme, should be the first consideration when selecting font pairings. A formal invitation may call for classic and elegant fonts, while a playful children’s brand may require whimsical and colorful fonts.
Contrast is key in font pairing, as it creates visual interest and establishes a hierarchy in your design. Contrasting fonts with different weights, styles, or serif vs. sans-serif can create a harmonious balance. For example, pairing a bold, uppercase font with a thin, lowercase font can create an eye-catching contrast that draws attention to important elements in your design.
Readability should not be compromised for aesthetics. Fonts should be legible, especially for body text or longer blocks of copy.
Remember, experimentation is key in finding the perfect font pairing.
Montserrat Bold + Raleway Regular
The combination of Montserrat Bold and Raleway Regular is a powerful and versatile font pairing that can add impact and sophistication to your design. Montserrat Bold, with its bold and commanding presence, brings a sense of strength and modernity, while Raleway Regular, with its clean and minimalist look, offers a balanced and refined touch. Together, they create a harmonious contrast that captures attention and provides a clear hierarchy in your design.
Ubuntu Bold + Nanum Gothic
The combination of Ubuntu Bold and Nanum Gothic creates a unique and dynamic font pairing that can add a touch of modernity and versatility to your design. Ubuntu Bold, with its bold and rounded letterforms, offers a friendly and approachable vibe, while Nanum Gothic, with its clean and geometric design, adds a contemporary and minimalist touch.
Philosopher + Mulish
Combining the timeless charm of Philosopher with the contemporary simplicity of Mulish creates a font pairing that exudes sophistication and versatility. Philosopher’s classic serif letterforms evoke a sense of tradition and refinement, while Mulish’s clean sans-serif design adds a modern and minimalist touch. Together, they create a harmonious fusion of old and new, lending an air of elegance and professionalism to your design.
Francois One + Karla
The combination of Francois One and Karla is a striking and contemporary font pairing that can add a sense of boldness and versatility to your design. Francois One, with its strong and condensed letterforms, offers a bold and impactful presence, while Karla, with its friendly and rounded sans-serif design, adds a touch of approachability and readability. Together, they create a visually interesting contrast that can make your design stand out.
Anton + Roboto
The combination of Anton and Roboto is a sleek and contemporary font pairing that can add a sense of boldness and professionalism to your design. Anton, with its bold and condensed letterforms, offers a striking and commanding presence, while Roboto, with its clean and versatile sans-serif design, provides a modern and clean aesthetic. This font pairing is ideal for a wide range of design applications, including headlines, banners, and logos, where you want to make a bold and memorable statement.
Abril Fatface + Roboto
The font pairing of “Abril Fatface” and “Roboto” strikes a perfect balance between elegance and modernity. “Abril Fatface,” with its bold and decorative serif font, brings a touch of sophistication, while “Roboto,” a clean and versatile sans-serif font, adds a contemporary flair. Together, they create a harmonious duo that is ideal for a wide range of design applications, from headlines to body text, delivering a visually appealing and balanced aesthetic.
Poppins + Lora
The Poppins and Lora font pairing offers a perfect blend of modernity and elegance in design. Poppins, with its clean and geometric sans-serif letterforms, adds a contemporary and minimalist touch, while Lora, with its timeless and graceful serif design, adds sophistication and readability. Together, they create a visually pleasing contrast that strikes a balance between legibility and style, making them an ideal choice for a wide range of design applications, from body text to headings, where a sense of professionalism and refinement is desired.
Ubuntu Bold + Roboto
The Ubuntu Bold and Roboto font pairing is a dynamic and versatile combination that exudes a sense of modernity and professionalism in design. Ubuntu Bold, with its bold and distinctive letterforms, offers a strong and impactful presence, while Roboto, with its clean and versatile sans-serif design, provides a contemporary and clean aesthetic. Together, they create a visually appealing contrast that captures attention and conveys a sense of confidence and modernity, making them an excellent choice for a wide range of design applications, including headlines, banners, and logos.
Playfair Display + Source Sans Pro
The Playfair Display and Source Sans Pro font pairing is a classic and versatile combination that offers a perfect balance of elegance and readability in design. Playfair Display, with its exquisite and sophisticated serif letterforms, adds a touch of timeless elegance, while Source Sans Pro, with its clean and contemporary sans-serif design, provides excellent readability and versatility. Together, they create a visually appealing contrast that brings a sense of sophistication and modernity to your design, making them an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, including headings, body text, and other design elements.
Lora + Open Sans
The Lora and Open Sans font pairing is a harmonious combination of typefaces that offers a perfect blend of readability and versatility in design. Lora, with its elegant and graceful serif letterforms, adds a touch of sophistication, while Open Sans, with its clean and modern sans-serif design, offers excellent legibility and flexibility. Together, they create a visually appealing contrast that can be used for a variety of design applications, from body text to headings, where a balance between elegance and readability is desired.
Merriweather + Lato
The Merriweather and Lato font pairing is a complementary combination that offers a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary styles in design. Merriweather, with its timeless serif letterforms, exudes a sense of elegance, while Lato, with its clean and modern sans-serif design, provides excellent legibility and versatility. Together, they create a visually pleasing contrast that can be used for various design applications, from body text to headings, where a balance between traditional and modern aesthetics is desired.
Work Sans + Open Sans
The Work Sans and Open Sans font pairing is a clean and modern combination that offers excellent legibility and versatility in design. Work Sans, with its minimalistic and rounded letterforms, adds a touch of contemporary style, while Open Sans, with its clean and versatile sans-serif design, provides excellent readability and flexibility. Together, they create a visually appealing contrast that can be used for a wide range of design applications, from body text to headings, where a clean and modern aesthetic is desired.
Poppins + Source Sans Pro
The Poppins and Source Sans Pro font pairing is a contemporary and versatile font combination, that offers a clean and modern aesthetic in design. Poppins, with its geometric and minimalistic sans-serif letterforms, adds a touch of modernity and style, while Source Sans Pro, with its clean and legible sans-serif design, provides excellent readability and versatility. Together, they create a visually appealing contrast that can be used for various design applications, from headlines to body text, where a modern and clean look is desired.
Oswald + EB Garamond
The Oswald and EB Garamond font pairing is a striking combination that offers a unique and eye-catching contrast in design. Oswald, with its bold and condensed letterforms, adds a sense of modernity and impact, while EB Garamond, with its elegant and traditional serif design, provides a touch of classic sophistication. Together, they create a visually appealing juxtaposition that can be used for headings, logos, and other design elements where a bold and classic aesthetic is desired.
Roboto Slab + Roboto
The Roboto Slab and Roboto font pairing is a cohesive combination that offers a balanced and modern look in design. Roboto Slab, with its sturdy and slab-serif letterforms, adds a touch of personality and distinction to body fonts, while Roboto, with its clean and versatile sans-serif design, provides excellent legibility and flexibility. Together, they create a visually harmonious contrast that can be used for various design applications, from headings to body text, where a modern and legible aesthetic is desired.
Varela Round + Nunito
The Varela Round and Nunito font pairing is a contemporary and friendly combination that offers a playful and approachable look in design. Varela Round, with its rounded and geometric letterforms, adds a touch of playfulness and uniqueness, while Nunito, with its clean and versatile sans-serif design, provides excellent legibility and flexibility. Together, they create a visually appealing contrast that can be used for various design applications, from logos to headlines, where a friendly and modern aesthetic is desired.
Great Vibes + Montserrat
The Great Vibes and Montserrat font pairing is a striking combination that offers a beautiful and elegant look in design. Great Vibes, with its elaborate and flowing script letterforms, adds a touch of sophistication and grace, while Montserrat, with its clean and modern sans-serif design, provides excellent readability and versatility. Together, they create a visually appealing contrast that can be used for headings, logos, and other design elements where a graceful and modern aesthetic is desired.
Libre Baskerville + Source Sans Pro
The Libre Baskerville and Source Sans Pro font pairing is a classic and versatile combination that offers a timeless and sophisticated look in design. Libre Baskerville, with its elegant and traditional, sans serif fonts and letterforms, adds a touch of refinement and grace, while Source Sans Pro, with its clean and legible sans-serif design, provides excellent readability and flexibility. Together, they create a visually appealing contrast that can be used for various design applications, from body text to headings, where a classic and elegant aesthetic is desired.
Raleway + Open Sans
The Raleway and Open Sans font pairing is a contemporary and versatile combination that offers a clean and modern look in design. Raleway, with its sleek and geometric letterforms, adds a touch of modernity and sophistication, while Open Sans, with its simple and legible sans-serif design, provides excellent readability and flexibility. Together, they create a visually harmonious contrast that can be used for various design applications, from headings to body text, where a modern and clean aesthetic is desired.
Ubuntu + Open Sans
The Ubuntu and Open Sans font pairing is a clean and approachable combination that offers a modern and friendly look in design. Ubuntu, with its rounded and humanist letterforms, adds a touch of warmth and personality, while Open Sans, with its versatile and legible sans-serif design, provides excellent readability and flexibility. Together, they create a visually cohesive contrast that can be used for various design applications, from websites to print materials, where a friendly and modern aesthetic is desired.
Merriweather + Open Sans
The Merriweather and Open Sans font pairing is a classic and versatile combination that offers a timeless and sophisticated look in design. Merriweather, with its elegant and traditional serif letterforms, adds a touch of refinement and readability, while Open Sans, with its clean and legible sans-serif design, provides a modern and flexible complement. Together, they create a visually balanced contrast that can be used for various design applications, from body text to headings, where a classic and contemporary aesthetic is desired.
Gravitas One + Montserrat
The pairing of Gravitas One and Montserrat fonts creates a bold and modern look with a sense of power and impact. Gravitas One’s heavy and condensed letterforms provide a strong presence, while Montserrat’s clean and geometric sans-serif design offers a sleek complement. Together, they create a visually striking contrast that can be used for various design applications where a bold and contemporary aesthetic is desired.
Arvo + Lato
“Arvo” and “Lato” are a powerful designer font pairing that creates a harmonious balance between a modern, distinctive serif font and a clean, minimalistic sans-serif font. The contrasting yet complementary styles of “Arvo” and “Lato” bring visual interest and legibility to any design, making them a popular choice for creating professional and sophisticated aesthetics.
Halant + Nunito Sans
The font pairing of “Halant” and “Nunito Sans” combines a traditional serif font with a modern sans-serif font to create beautiful font pairings a harmonious balance between elegance and versatility. “Halant” exudes sophistication with its delicate serifs, while “Nunito Sans” adds a contemporary touch with its clean lines, making them a winning combination for various design applications.
What about font combinations? Why would you use more than one font for your brand and website?
Using a single font can convey a specific feeling, but pairing two together can give your visuals a clearer picture of your story. A singular minimal, typeface choice like Open Sans looks good, but if it’s the only font used in your brand’s visuals, it could appear too plain. However pairing it with another font like Lora makes the visuals more classy.
Pair fonts from different families, but make one shine brighter
This simply means you have to establish a visually balanced hierarchy.
Try to find a font that you consider to be the main one combined with a subtler one. If both of them have too much personality, you risk entering the opposite extreme of being monotonous, and you definitely want to avoid that.
Combine a serif with a few geometric sans serifs, but don’t go overboard with how different they look. Try to discover a common ground for what they express.
For example, don’t choose a super classic handwritten font for the title and then a hyper digitized-looking font for the body text.
Work with what you (don’t) love
I intentionally selected fonts that I initially thought I would never like or use in any context. If a font made me instinctively say “NO” I felt compelled to give it a try.
This approach is crucial for the creative process. We often unknowingly confine ourselves to our comfort zones, which can gradually limit our creativity. However, when we venture outside and experiment with fonts we never thought we would like, we often experience our biggest breakthroughs.
Google Fonts FAQs
How do you use Google Fonts?
Web developers can use Google Fonts by simply generating a bit of code they paste into the site they’re creating, while other designers can download the font family of their choice just by selecting “download family” on the font screen.
How to download from Google Fonts on to your computer
Go to the Google Fonts website at https://fonts.google.com/
Browse or search for the font you want to download.
Click on the font card to view the font family’s styles and weights.
Select the styles and weights of the font you want to download by clicking on the “+” icon next to each.
Click the “Download” button in the top right corner of the page.
You should see a popup with a download link for a .zip file containing the selected font files.
Click the download link to download the .zip file to your computer.
Once the .zip file is downloaded, extract the files from the archive by right-clicking on the .zip file and selecting “Extract All” or using an unzip utility.
Open the extracted folder and double-click on the font files to install them on your computer.
Once installed, you can use the font in your design software or word processing programs.
Why does it matter what fonts you use on your website?
The actual copy (words and letters you use) are only half of your message. Every font you use has related emotions, feelings, and vibes associated with them.
Believe it or not, your typography choices can build trust, evoke passion, or even create a sense of power. Imagine trying to a $100+ a month SEO tools like Semrush does with Comic Sans as your brand’s font choice? Yikes.
Using a font like Comic Sans would give potential customers a playful and childish feel and turn them off to the higher pricetag that’s targeted towards professional webmasters, big businesses, and SEO gurus. That is assuming they’d even make it to the pricing page as Comic Sans takes away a huge amount of credibility and trust in a product.
