Free fonts similar to Proxima Nova
Proxima Nova sits between geometric fonts like Futura and grotesques like Akzidenz. It became one of the most used web fonts of the 2010s because it looks modern without feeling cold, and works for both headlines and body text.
Short answer: the closest free alternative to Proxima Nova is Montserrat. Figtree and Nunito Sans are also worth a look. All are open source and free for commercial use.
Proxima Nova is not installed on this device, so it cannot be drawn here. The free alternatives below are live. On a device that has it, this row shows the original and unlocks the overlay.
/* Montserrat is open source. Self-host it or load it from Google Fonts. */ font-family: "Montserrat", system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif;
The alternatives in detail
1. Montserrat
Why it works. The most common free substitute: the same geometric construction, a wide weight range and a contemporary tone.
What differs. Noticeably wider with a taller x-height, so headlines run longer. Tighten letter spacing slightly and drop the size a step.
2. Figtree
Why it works. Closer to Proxima Nova in width and restraint, which makes it the better choice for interface and body text.
What differs. A little simpler and more minimal in the details, with fewer weights at the extremes.
3. Nunito Sans
Why it works. Balanced proportions and a friendly tone that suit long reading.
What differs. Softer stroke endings give it a warmer, less crisp feel.
How to recognize Proxima Nova
Mark Simonson, 2005, expanded from his 1994 Proxima Sans. Published by Mark Simonson Studio.
- Round, geometric o, c and e, combined with a conventional two-storey a.
- Round dots on i and j, and round punctuation.
- Even, fairly wide proportions and a moderate x-height.
In a site’s CSS it may appear as proxima-nova, Proxima Nova Soft. Not sure what you are looking at? Identify the font on the live page first.
Is Proxima Nova free?
Commercial. Also included with an Adobe Fonts subscription, which is how many sites serve it (the CSS name is then proxima-nova).
The alternatives on this page are open source, so you can use them on commercial sites, self-host the files and ship them in products. Read more in font licensing in plain English.
Use Montserrat in your CSS
Put the free font first and keep sensible fallbacks behind it. Self-hosting the files is the most private and usually the fastest option.
@font-face {
font-family: "Montserrat";
src: url("/fonts/montserrat-400.woff2") format("woff2");
font-weight: 400;
font-display: swap;
}
@font-face {
font-family: "Montserrat";
src: url("/fonts/montserrat-700.woff2") format("woff2");
font-weight: 700;
font-display: swap;
}
body {
font-family: "Montserrat", system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif;
}Saw a font you can’t place, or can’t afford?
Font Inspector names the font on any website in one click. For popular paid and system fonts it suggests free look-alikes right in the panel.
Questions & answers
What is the closest free font to Proxima Nova?+
Montserrat is the closest free alternative to Proxima Nova. The most common free substitute: the same geometric construction, a wide weight range and a contemporary tone. Figtree and Nunito Sans are also worth testing.
Is Proxima Nova free to use?+
Commercial. Also included with an Adobe Fonts subscription, which is how many sites serve it (the CSS name is then proxima-nova).
What Google Font looks like Proxima Nova?+
On Google Fonts, the nearest matches are Montserrat, Figtree and Nunito Sans. All are open source and free for commercial use. None is an exact copy, so compare them with your own text first.
How can I tell whether a website uses Proxima Nova?+
Inspect the text. Browser DevTools show the rendered font in the Computed tab, and the Font Inspector extension shows the family, the rendered font and free look-alikes in one click.
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