Good typography is the backbone of good design, and working with type means navigating the stormy sea of font variations and license restrictions. If you’re a freelancer on a tight type budget, you’re probably always on the lookout for free fonts licensed for commercial use.
The go-to source of free commercial fonts is Google Fonts: a web library of open source designs ready for work customization. Thanks to a variety of filters (language support, font style, etc.), the library is quick and easy to use.
But what if you’re looking for a novelty font that’s more rare and specific to your needs? You’ll need to dive into design portfolios (e.g. on Behance) — or read an article like this one, which does all the diving for you.
Before we start, here’s some general advice on working with free fonts:
- Look beyond Latin. Fonts created with other alphabets in mind (Cyrillic, Hangul, etc.) can offer unique letterforms by virtue of being built around a different set of focal points.
- Double-check the licensing. Even if the font is free, there may be caveats involved.
- Take full advantage of OpenType features like ligatures and alternates. (The file extension for OpenType fonts is *.otf)
- Toss a coin to the artist! They create — you donate. Free fonts deserve financial support, too!
Now that we’ve settled on some rules, let’s run through these 8 fun free commercial fonts NOT found on Google Fonts:
Volume dealer (OTF) by Rafael Nascimento
Inspired by the lettering on a Black Sabbath album, this thick geometric font is perfect for a retro look.
Language support: Latin
Download link: https://fontesk.com/volume-dealer-font/
Intro Rust (OTF, TTF) by Fontfabric™
Shake the rust off your designs with this playful, texture-heavy font family of scripts and sans serifs.
Language support: Latin, Cyrillic
Download link: https://www.dafontfree.io/intro-rust-font-free/
GarciaMarquez aka Gabo (OTF) by Shalom Guevara
Named after the master of magic realism, this nonconformist font is all about style and flair.
Language support: Latin, Cyrillic
Download link: https://www.behance.net/gallery/118013041/GarciaMarquez-Free-TypeFace
Brokat (OTF, TTF) by Tomasz Pawluk
This display font is star-studded — literally! Come for the funky star motif, stay for the crazy reverse contrast.
Language support: Latin (uppercase-only)
Download link: https://www.behance.net/gallery/92143733/BROKAT-Free-font
Nafas Manual (OTF, TTF) byJulpik Artworks
“Modern Blackletter” sounds like a myth, but this font strikes the perfect balance of sleek and old-timey.
Language support: Latin
Download link: https://fontesk.com/nafas-manual-font/
Downtown (OTF, TTF) by Nelson Fraga and Roman Tunik
Heavy, sturdy and geometric, like a block of apartment buildings.
Language support: Latin, Cyrillic
Download link: https://www.dafont.com/downtown.font
Cyrene (OTF) by Riccardo Agostinelli
With its lovely rounded forms and understated weight contrast, this font begs to be put on a magazine cover.
Language support: Latin
Download link: https://www.behance.net/gallery/100001445/Cyrene-Free-Font
Doppelganger (OTF) by Spook Design Co.
A retro designer font with quirky letterforms and bold ligatures.
Language support: Latin
Download link: https://www.behance.net/gallery/100419217/DOPPELGANGER-FREE-FONT
Dexotick (OTF, TTF) by Maulizari
Elegant yet casual, this handwritten textured font is built on loops and swoops. Some of the letters intentionally lack connections, giving the font a very human toucg
Language support: Latin
Download link: https://www.behance.net/gallery/95580909/Dexotick-Free-Font
Kurochka lapkoi (TTF)
Another handwritten font: less elegant, but just as full of character.
Language support: Latin, CyrillicDownload link: https://vika.gumroad.com/l/kurochka
