10 Best Free Font Websites for Windows 10/11

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Robert_Stark
edited August 2023 in Design

The right font? It's the unsung hero behind every iconic design. Fonts can make or break your design. But who said quality has to come with a hefty price tag? Whether you're crafting a killer logo or jazzing up a webpage, these free font sites will lift your designs. 

We've scoured the web to bring you the top 10 sites for free fonts. Whether you're a seasoned designer or starting, these sites are a game-changer.

1) Google Fonts: The Ultimate Font Library 

When it comes to free fonts, Google Fonts reigns supreme. With over 1557 open-source font families, from minimalist sans-serifs to quirky hand-lettered styles, there's something for every project. And with weights spanning from light to extra-bold and even black, your designs will look professional.

And the best part? You can easily filter by:

  • Style 
  • Language 
  • Newest 
  • Popularity

But Google Fonts isn't just quantity. Their Fonts Knowledge offers insights into the art of typography. Want to master the art of font pairing? They've got you covered. 

Pricing: Free, License: Commercial and personal use 

2) Dafont: A Font Wonderland

Enter DaFont, your ultimate destination, with more than 77,000 fonts of every flavor. With 94 diverse categories, from the retro vibes of Pac-Man to timeless medieval scripts, DaFont ensures you're spoilt for choice.

But what truly sets DaFont apart? It's their eclectic mix. Dive into categories like Comic, Techno, Gothic, and even fonts inspired by your favorite movies. Looking for something festive? Their holiday-themed fonts, spanning Halloween to Christmas, have got you covered. And for those finishing touches? Don't forget to check out their broad array of dingbats, from aliens to tape decks.

A tip for the savvy designer: always review the license. Some fonts might have restrictions on commercial use. Before committing to a font, ensure it boasts a complete character set. You wouldn't want to unveil your brand only to find it's missing essential symbols like a dollar sign or exclamation mark.

Pricing: Free, License: Freeware, shareware, demo versions, or public domain.

3) Fonts.com: The Designer's Font Haven 

While Fonts.com is renowned for its expansive catalog of premium typefaces, it doesn't shy away from offering value.

Boasting over 1,334 free font families, it's a goldmine for designers on a budget. And the best part? Their intuitive filters let you sift through fonts by:

  • Classification 
  • Weight 
  • Width 
  • Language 
  • X-Height 
  • and more

Dive into the typeface story of each font to discern its best use, be it for headlines, body text, print, or web. 

Whether you have a specific font in mind or you're just exploring, Fonts.com streamlines your search, making font discovery a breeze.

Pricing: Free and Paid, License: Commercial  

4) Lost Type Co-op: Championing Designer-Centric Fonts 

Lost Type isn't your typical type foundry. It pioneered the "Pay-What-You-Want" model for fonts - and you can enter zero dollars to download for free.

Showcasing over 50 meticulously curated typefaces from designers worldwide, Lost Type has become a go-to for those searching for distinctive typography. It's no surprise that big names, from Nike, Starbucks, Disney, and even the U.S. President, have turned to Lost Type for their branding needs.

The beauty of Lost Type? Every cent you spend goes straight to the font's creator, meaning you directly support independent creatives when you snag a font.

While the collection may be concise, it brims with character and diversity. Each typeface is not just a set of characters – it’s a story of creativity. Lost Type is a testament to the belief that everyone deserves access to top-tier design.

Pricing: Pay-What-You-Want, License: Commercial and Personal Use

5) Open Foundry: Curated Excellence 

Navigating the vast world of free fonts can feel overwhelming. That's where Open Foundry steps in, shining a light on the very best of free typography. More than just a font library, it's a tribute to the art of type, marrying aesthetics with accessibility.

What sets Open Foundry apart is its discerning eye for detail. Each font, open-source in nature, is chosen for its standout design. Whether you're a designer on the hunt for that flawless typeface or a brand aiming to make an impression, Open Foundry is your magic box.

And the journey is more than just a click-and-download affair. Dive into Open Foundry's dynamic interface, where you can experiment with fonts in real time. Adjust kerning, play with sizes, and switch up backgrounds – all before committing to a download. It's an interactive haven for those passionate about type.

Open Foundry stands as a beacon in the ever-expanding universe of fonts, championing quality and creative freedom.

Pricing: Free and Paid, License: Commercial

6) Fontfabric: A Fusion of Craftsmanship and Creativity 

Dive into Fontfabric's offerings, and you'll quickly discern their commitment to quality. This independent type foundry, the brainchild of the gifted Bulgarian designer Svetoslav Simov, is a treasure trove for typography enthusiasts.

Beyond its premium typefaces, Fontfabric's free section offers a curated selection of standout fonts, many of which come with Cyrillic versions, adding a layer of versatility.

Their reputation for excellence is further solidified by their clientele, boasting global giants like Nike, Lipton, Hyundai, and Nestlé. This speaks volumes about the curated nature of their collection, even if it's compact. 

While Fontfabric may not be the go-to for everyday body fonts, it's a must-visit for projects demanding a dash of flair or a dramatic statement.

Here's an insider's tip: Fontfabric often releases fonts for free to test the waters. If a particular style gains traction, it might evolve into a comprehensive font family.

Pricing: Free and Paid, License: Commercial

7. The League of Moveable Type: Open-Source Typography Pioneers 

Established in 2009 when web browsers could support more elaborate fonts, The League of Moveable Type boasts a legacy as the first open-source font foundry. Iconic brands, including Wired, DC Comics, Instagram, and even the World Health Organization, have used their typefaces.

Their mission? Elevate web design standards and democratize top-tier typography. Their website contains vintage and modern fonts, all curated and free. Notable mentions include the bold League Gothic and the elegant Raleway.  

While they provide high-quality open-source typefaces for personal and commercial use, they also inform the design community. 

Pricing: Free and Paid, Licensing: Personal and Commercial

8) Font Squirrel: the Font Whisperer You Can Have on Tap 

The Commercial Font Haven Font Squirrel offers thousands of curated fonts, all free and ready for commercial use. No more second-guessing licenses; they've done the homework for you.

Font Squirrel's vast collection spans styles from calligraphic to stencil, ensuring you find the right type for any project. The fonts are web-ready to use on your website with the font and css files included.

Ever stumbled upon a font in an image and wondered, "What the font?" Font Squirrel's got your back. Their Matcherator tool plays detective, identifying fonts from pictures. It's like having a font whisperer on speed dial. Dive in and discover why Font Squirrel is the go-to for many designers. 

Pricing: Free, Licensing: Commercial

9) NEOGREY: The Singular Vision of Ivan Filipov 

Dive into NEOGREY, and you're stepping into the design universe of Ivan Filipov. While not a font library, he has crafted 11 spectacular headline fonts and released them into the digital wild for free.

Though the collection might be compact, it punches above its weight. Each font in NEOGRAY is a testament to Filipov's meticulous craftsmanship and design sensibility. Whether you're searching for a headline that demands attention or a nuanced typeface for detailed text, NEOGREY is where art meets typography. 

Pricing: Free, Licensing: Commercial

10) Behance: The Unexpected Font Frontier 

At first glance, Behance might not scream "font repository." But delve a bit deeper, and you'll uncover its hidden fonts. While Behance is renowned as a platform for creatives to flaunt their work, many designers share their bespoke typefaces here.

The catch? It requires a bit of searching. But the payoff for those with a keen eye is finding distinct fonts that set your designs apart.

Dive into Behance's vast creative pool, punch in "free fonts," and let the exploration begin. From sleek modern designs to intricate scripts and classic serifs, there's a font for every mood and message. It's a designer's secret stash, waiting to be discovered. 

Pricing: Free, Licensing: Commercial

Installing Fonts on Windows 11: Quick Steps 

  1. Grab Your Font: Start by downloading your desired font. Typically, they're bundled in .zip folders. 
  2. Unpack the Bundle: If zipped, right-click the .zip folder and select Extract. This will reveal the font files in either .ttf (TrueType) or .otf (OpenType) format. 
  3. Install with a Click: Double-click the font file to initiate the installation. Alternatively, right-click your chosen fonts and select Install
  4. Trust but Verify: If Windows pops up a permission request, and you're confident about the font's source, give it a thumbs up by clicking 'Yes'.

And voilà! Your new font is ready to use.

Dive into the World of Free Fonts! 

We trust this list will be a game-changer for all the design enthusiasts, web designers, and type buffs out there. These platforms are brimming with distinctive fonts, ready to elevate your projects. But a quick heads-up: always peek at the license, especially if you're venturing into commercial terrain. Once you’ve done that, expand your font arsenal and let your creativity run wild.

Robert is a Taiwan-based writer and digital marketer at iamrobert design. He has a passion for helping people simplify their lives through tech.

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