Modern Fonts: Free Google Fonts for a Clean, Current Look
The most useful modern fonts on Google Fonts are clean sans serifs such as Inter, Manrope, DM Sans and Space Grotesk, plus a few contemporary serifs such as Fraunces and Instrument Serif. Each one below is set in its own font, with a partner that suits it.
What Makes a Font Look Modern
Most fonts that look modern today share a few traits: simple, open letter shapes, a large x-height, even stroke weight, and little or no decoration. Many are built to work in apps and on screens first, with variable weights and careful spacing at small sizes. A modern font can still have character, in its rounded corners, quirky details or unusual proportions, but it rarely relies on ornament.
Modern does not have to mean sans serif. A new generation of serifs, such as Fraunces and Instrument Serif, mixes classic shapes with playful, contemporary details, and they look current in a way that older text serifs do not. Pairing one of these with a clean sans is one of the most popular looks on the web right now.
The Best Modern Fonts on Google Fonts
These eight modern fonts are free on Google Fonts. Each one is set in its own font, with a link to try it in the generator.
Inter
Set in Inter 700 and 400 See the Inter profile ›
Best for interfaces, documentation and body text. Inter, designed by Rasmus Andersson for computer screens, is the default font of modern product design. It is neutral, very readable at small sizes and available in a full range of weights.
Manrope
Set in Manrope 700 and 400 Try Manrope in the generator ›
Best for fintech, software and startups. Manrope, by Mikhail Sharanda, mixes geometric and grotesque shapes, with semi-condensed letters and a technical, precise feel. It looks sharp in headlines and stays clear in text.
DM Sans
Set in DM Sans 700 and 400 Try DM Sans in the generator ›
Best for an approachable, clean look. DM Sans, from Colophon Foundry, is a low-contrast geometric sans with friendly, slightly rounded letters. It pairs naturally with DM Serif Display when you want a matching serif for headlines.
Space Grotesk
Set in Space Grotesk 700 and Inter 400 See this pair ›
Best for headlines for creative studios, crypto and tech brands, with Inter or DM Sans for body text. Space Grotesk, by Florian Karsten, grew out of the monospaced Space Mono and keeps some of its quirky details, which gives it a distinctive, slightly technical personality.
Plus Jakarta Sans
Set in Plus Jakarta Sans 700 and 400 Try Plus Jakarta Sans in the generator ›
Best for product sites, agencies and marketing pages. Plus Jakarta Sans was designed by Tokotype for the city branding of Jakarta, with crisp geometry, a large x-height and a contemporary, confident feel.
Sora
Set in Sora 600 and Inter 400 Try this pair in the generator ›
Best for futuristic headlines that stay easy to read. Sora was designed by Jonathan Barnbrook and Julián Moncada for the Sora decentralised technology project, with wide, rounded letters. Pair it with Inter for body text.
Fraunces
Set in Fraunces 600 and Inter 400 See this pair ›
Best for warm, characterful headlines. Fraunces, from Undercase Type, is a soft, old-style serif inspired by early twentieth century display types, with variable axes that control softness and playful details. It is one of the clearest examples of the modern serif trend. Pair it with Inter or DM Sans.
Instrument Serif
Set in Instrument Serif 400 and Inter 400 Try this pair in the generator ›
Best for an editorial, design-studio feel. Instrument Serif is a condensed display serif that looks especially modern in large sizes and in its italic, set over a neutral sans such as Inter.
Modern Fonts Compared
The eight fonts above, with their style and what each one suits best.
| Font | Style | Pair With | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter | Neutral sans | Itself or a serif | Interfaces, docs, body text |
| Manrope | Technical sans | Itself or Inter | Fintech, software, startups |
| DM Sans | Friendly geometric sans | DM Serif Display | Brands, landing pages |
| Space Grotesk | Quirky grotesque | Inter | Studios, tech, crypto |
| Plus Jakarta Sans | Crisp geometric sans | Itself | Products, agencies, marketing |
| Sora | Wide rounded sans | Inter | Futuristic brands, apps |
| Fraunces | Soft modern serif | Inter | Creative brands, food, newsletters |
| Instrument Serif | Condensed display serif | Inter | Portfolios, editorial |
How to Make a Modern Font Look Its Best
Modern sans fonts often look best with slightly tighter letter spacing in large headlines, around minus 0.01em to minus 0.03em, and normal spacing in body text. Use semibold or bold for headings rather than the heaviest weights, and let size do most of the work.
Many modern fonts are variable fonts, which means one file contains every weight. That can be lighter than loading several separate weights, and it lets you use in-between values such as 550 or 650 for fine control. The Use These Fonts button in the generator, and on every pair page, gives you the embed code and CSS.
Modern Font Pairings That Work
Modern fonts pair in two main ways. The first is a single sans used for everything, with weight and size creating hierarchy: Inter, Manrope and Plus Jakarta Sans all have enough weights to do this alone, and the result looks calm and consistent. The second is a contemporary serif for headlines over a clean sans for text, such as Fraunces over Inter or Instrument Serif over DM Sans, which adds warmth and personality while keeping paragraphs easy to read.
Avoid pairing two modern sans fonts that are only slightly different, such as DM Sans with Plus Jakarta Sans. They are close enough to look like a mistake. If you want two sans fonts, pick ones with clearly different personalities, such as Space Grotesk headings over Inter text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about modern fonts.
What Is the Most Modern Google Font?
Inter is the most widely used modern font for products and websites. For more personality, Space Grotesk, Manrope and Plus Jakarta Sans are popular modern sans fonts, and Fraunces leads the modern serif trend.
Is Montserrat Still Modern?
Montserrat still looks clean, but it has been so widely used since the mid-2010s that some designers now see it as familiar. Manrope, Plus Jakarta Sans and DM Sans give a fresher geometric look.
Can a Serif Font Look Modern?
Yes. Contemporary serifs such as Fraunces and Instrument Serif mix classic shapes with modern details, and they look current when paired with a clean sans.
Are These Modern Fonts Free for Commercial Use?
Yes. Every font on this page is free on Google Fonts under an open license that allows commercial use.