We will understand the best CSS fonts in this article.
Fonts are an important part of creating a visually appealing webpage. The best font is the one that should be readable, web-safe, font visible on different devices or browsers and properly convey a message to the audience.
When it comes to selecting the appropriate keywords, then it is not that simple. Sometimes, visually appealing fonts are not web-safe.
Web-safe fonts are those that are already installed in most of the operating system. If the fonts are pre-installed then they are rendered as we want.
There are different kinds of CSS fonts which are as follows:
Sans-Serif
This font is a typeface which is a plain and simple font. It does not contain decorative strokes like serif fonts. It has a clean and modern appearance which is usually used for writing digital content as it is clear and readable font.
Cursive
This type of font mimics human handwriting in which each character is connected to the other in a flowing manner. It provides a decorative touch to the webpage.
Serif
This type of font is a typeface that consists of decorative strokes on the corner of the characters. These decorative strokes are called serifs. It is elegant, traditional and formal, and it is utilized for fiction, fantasy, etc.
Most websites often opt for serif fonts in the main text as they offer excellent readability.
Monospace
It is a monospaced font that features characters with uniform width. These fonts are known for their neat and steady appearance, making them the standard choice.
Script
This particular font is crafted by hand. It is employed to showcase printed text.
In Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), the font-family property is employed to assign a specific font to the text.
San-Serif Fonts
Below are sans-serif typefaces that are considered web-safe fonts:
Arial
It is a type of sans-serif font commonly found in advertisements and newspapers. This font has a bold appearance that is both clear and easy to read regardless of the size, which is why Google Docs uses Arial as its default font.
Demo:
We will create code that shows Arial font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Arial Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Arial";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Arial font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can examine the Arial typeface of the text in the output displayed underneath.
Arial Narrow
Arial font set includes multiple font styles, among which arial narrow stands out. This particular style features a streamlined design with slender characters and reduced spacing between letters.
Demo:
We will create a code snippet that showcases the Arial Narrow typeface.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Arial Narrow Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Arial Narrow";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Arial Narrow font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can examine the Arial Narrow typeface of the text in the output provided.
Helvetica
This typeface is a renowned sans-serif font known originally as Neue Haas Grotesk. Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann, both Swiss font designers, collaborated on its creation.
Demo:
We will write a code that shows Helvetica font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Helvetica Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Helvetica";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Helvetica font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can examine the Helvetica typeface of the text displayed below.
Arial Black
This typeface is a renowned sans-serif font that is suitable for showcasing various types of content.
Demo:
We are going to create a code snippet that showcases the Arial Black typeface.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Arial Black Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Arial Black";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Arial Black font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can view the text in the output cascading in the Arial Black typeface.
Verdana
This typeface is a humanist sans-serif font designed by Matthew Carter for Microsoft Corporation. The font was crafted to ensure legibility even at smaller font sizes.
Demo:
We will write a code that shows Verdana font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Verdana Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Verdana";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Verdana font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can distinctly observe the Verdana typeface of the text in the subsequent display.
Tahoma
This typeface is a humanist sans-serif font designed by Matthew Carter and commissioned by Microsoft Corporation. It bears resemblance to Verdana, yet Tahoma features a more condensed body, with reduced spacing between letters and smaller letterforms.
Demo:
We will write a code that displays Tahoma font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Tahoma Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Tahoma";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Tahoma font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can have a look at the Tahoma font of the text in the output downwards.
Trebuchet MS
This typeface is a humanist sans-serif font created by Vincent Connare for Microsoft Corporation. It is commonly used for displaying Window titles.
Demo:
We will create a code snippet that showcases the Trebuchet MS typeface.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Trebuchet MS Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Trebuchet MS";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Trebuchet MS font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can view the text in the output below using the Trebuchet MS typeface.
Impact
It is a well-known sans-serif font that was designed in 1965 by Geoffrey Lee. This typeface is crafted to make a strong impression on readers. It features a tall x-height, minimal ascenders, even shorter descenders, and unique folded-up shapes of letters. The lowercase characters in this font may pose readability challenges, making it unsuitable for body content. Its primary purpose is for headlines and display purposes.
Demo:
We will write a code that showcases Impact font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Impact Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Impact";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Impact font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can observe the Influence font of the text in the resulting direction.
Gill Sans
This typeface is a well-known sans-serif font created by Eric Gill and introduced in 1928 through the British division of Monotype.
Demo:
We will create a code snippet that demonstrates the utilization of the Gill Sans typeface.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Gill Sans Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Gill Sans";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Gill Sans font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can observe the Gill Sans typeface of the text in the output below.
Serif fonts
Below are serif typefaces that are considered web-safe fonts:
Times New Roman
It is a serif font created by Stanley Morison & Victor Lardent under commission from a British newspaper, specifically for "The Times". This font features bold text that is easily legible on the page, with a tall x-height, a compact appearance, and minimal descenders to allow for close line spacing.
Demo:
We will create a code that presents text in the Times New Roman typeface.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title> Times New Roman Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Times New Roman";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Times New Roman font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can observe the Times New Roman typeface of the text in the result below.
Palatino
It is a traditional serif typeface crafted by Hermann Zapf. Primarily intended for titles, display printing, and advertising, this font features a broad structure, wide apertures, and prominently bold characters. Its design ensures legibility of small-sized letters when viewed from a distance in newspapers.
Demo:
We will write a code that displays Palatino font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Palatino Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Palatino";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Palatino font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can examine the Palatino typeface of the text displayed below.
Georgia
It is a serif font created by Matthew Carter in 1993. This particular typeface draws inspiration from the Scotch Roman styles popular in the 1800s. Its features include a mix of thin and thick strokes, a vertical axis, and rounded terminals. The main goal behind its creation was to ensure legibility even at small font sizes on computer screens.
Demo:
We will write a code that showcases Georgia font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Georgia Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Georgia";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Georgia font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can view the Georgia typeface of the text in the output below.
Baskerville
It is a classic serif font created by Abdul Baskerville during the 1750s in England. The typeface showcases precise and pointed letterforms, along with a change in the alignment of curved letters towards a predominantly vertical orientation.
Demo:
We will create a code snippet that showcases the Baskerville typeface.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Baskerville Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Baskerville?;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Baskerville font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can view the Baskerville typeface of the text in the output below.
Monospace fonts
The following are fixed-width fonts that are considered safe for web use:
Courier
It is a fixed-width slab serif font created by Howard "Bud" Ketttler, commonly employed as a typeface for digital content.
Demo:
We will write a code that displays Courier font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Courier Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Courier";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Courier font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can examine the text's Courier typeface in the subsequent output.
Monaco
It is a monospaced sans serif font created by Susan Kare and Kris Holmes. The font is characterized by its pronounced curvature in parentheses and the size of its square brackets.
Demo:
We will write a code that shows Monaco font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Monaco Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Monaco";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Monaco font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can examine the Monaco typeface of the text displayed below.
Consolas
It is a fixed-width font designed by Luc(as) de Groot. Launched in 2007, it offers various functionalities like lining numerals, old-style numerals, localized glyphs, uppercase-sensitive glyphs, superscript, subscript, and more.
Demo:
We will write a code that shows Consolas font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Consolas Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Consolas";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Consolas font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can examine the Consolas typeface of the content below.
cursive fonts
The following monospaced typefaces are considered web-safe fonts:
Brush Script MT
It is a script typeface created by Robert E. Smith as part of Adobe Originals. The font is characterized by bold lettering, with its lowercase letters resembling brush strokes.
Demo:
We will write a code that displays Brush Script MT font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Brush Script MT Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Brush Script MT";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Brush Script MT font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can examine the text font of the output below, which is in Brush Script MT.
Mistral
It is an informal typeface created by Roger Excoffon in 1953. The font was inspired by his personal handwriting, featuring a relaxed graphic style reminiscent of ink and brush strokes, with extended descenders.
Demo:
We will write a code that displays Mistral font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Mistral Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Mistral";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Mistral font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can examine the Mistral typeface of the text displayed below.
Comic Sans MS
It is a non-serif font created by Vincent Connare in 1994. The characters in this typeface are not linked and draw inspiration from comic book lettering. Its purpose was to be used in cartoon dialogue bubbles and kids' content.
Demo:
We will create a code snippet that displays text in the Comic Sans MS font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Comic Sans MS Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Comic Sans MS";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Comic Sans MS font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can observe the text displayed in Comic Sans MS font below.
Script fonts
The fantasy fonts listed below are considered web-safe fonts:
Forte
It's a typeface script developed by Carl Reissberger, an Austrian commercial artist, in 1962.
Demo:
We will write a code that displays Forte font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Forte Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Forte";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Forte font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We are able to observe the Forte typeface text in the downward output.
Freestyle Script
It is an unofficial manuscript that was established in 1969 by Colin Brignall.
Demo:
We will create a code snippet that showcases the Freestyle Script typeface.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Freestyle Script</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 40px;
font-family: "Freestyle Script";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Freestyle Script.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can observe the text styled with the Freestyle Script font in the following section.
Old English Text MT
It is an unofficial typeface that was developed in 1969 by Colin Brignall.
Demo:
We will create a code snippet that showcases the Old English Text MT typeface.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Old English Text MT</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Old English Text MT";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Old English Text MT.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can observe the Old English Text MT font style text displayed below.
Papyrus
It's a font created by Chris Costello in 1982, characterized by its uneven curves, prominent horizontal strokes, and jagged edges.
Demo:
We will write a code that displays Papyrus font.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Papyrus Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 24px;
font-family: "Papyrus";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Papyrus font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can observe the Papyrus typeface of the text in the downward output.
Lucida Handwriting
It is a typeface that was introduced in 1992. The primary goal of this font was to mimic casual cursive script created with markers.
Demo:
We are going to create a code snippet that showcases the Lucida Handwriting typeface.
Code:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Lucida Handwriting Font</title>
<style>
p {
font-size: 20px;
font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>This text is written in Lucida Handwriting font.</p>
</body>
</html>
Output:
We can observe the text in the output below rendered in the Lucida Handwriting typeface.
Conclusion:
We have explored the top CSS font styles in this guide. Fonts come in various categories like cursive, serif, sans-serif, monospace, and script. These font types have been analyzed using illustrative instances.