10 Great Web Font Combinations

We take the pain out of font matching by selecting 10 great web font combinations that will always work well together.

Choosing a typeface for your website is not always an easy task, and fixing on a successful pairing can be a particularly arduous task. One general rule of thumb when combining fonts is to use a serif and a sans serif together, to create contrast.

Here we look at 10 great web font combinations that never fail to fit; the way they have been combined is based on using two complementing typefaces – one for the heading and one for the body copy – with both being interchangeable. For this reason, we would recommend that you experiment with different sizes, weights, leading and so forth to get the most from your chosen typefaces.

  • Georgia & Verdana

    For those who stick to web standards, this combination is always going to be a winner. By coupling the beautiful serif typeface that is Georgia with Verdana, a sans-serif font that was designed for the screen, you’ll hit upon a match that will never fail.

  • Helvetica (Bold) & Garamond

    This is a classic combination that will always please – who doesn’t love a large headline set in Helvetica Bold? The clean and neutral nature of Helvetica makes it a perfect partner for Garamond, one of the most legible printed serif typefaces around.

  • Bodoni & Futura

    Bodoni’s geometric construction and blend of thick and thin strokes make it a true beauty of a font. Combined with Futura, it becomes part of a true power poiring – just ask any fashion magazine.

  • Franklin Gothic & Baskerville

    Baskerville is an old-style classic designed in 1757 which, when combined with the sans-serif 19th-century typeface Franklin Gothic, makes for an appealing contrast and gives your design that additional touch of sophistication. Try experimenting with the condensed versions of Franklin Gothic for a really attention-grabbing headline.

  • Caslon (Bold) & Univers (Light)

    Caslon is a robust serif typeface that is characterised by short ascenders and descenders with a moderate modulation or stroke. It works extremely well with the rather neutral Univers, a neo-grotesque sans-serif typeface. When using Univers as your display font, try utilising the condensed weights.

  • Frutiger (Bold) & Minion

    Frutiger is an extremely legible typeface, originally designed for directional signage systems in airports, which makes it perfect for headlines. The organic, clean nature of this sans-serif face makes it a great match for the very readable Minion, a beautiful typeface that is inspired by the classical fonts of the late Renaissance.

  • Minion (Bold) & Myriad

    The Minion Pro family is a must for any designer’s arsenal. With its many ligatures, small caps, old-style figures, swashes and other added glyphs, Minion Pro is ideal for a multitude of jobs. In combination with the versatility of Myriad, this is even more true – just ask Adobe.

  • Gill Sans (Bold) & Garamond

    These fonts come installed by default on most operating systems, which makes this duo a good choice for those with even the most basic software set-up. Gill Sans is one of those fonts that will couple up nicely with just about any other, so it is extremely versatile. Originally designed for use on the London Underground, it is highly legible and, when combined with such classics as Garamond, it can work visual wonders.

  • Clarendon & Trade Gothic

    The slab serif Clarendon attracts attention at large sizes and is also quite legible at smaller point sizes thanks to its clear, objective and timeless forms. It works particularly well when paired with the earthy naturalism of Trade Gothic. If using Trade Gothic as the headline face, make sure you check out the condensed weights.

  • Avenir & Minion

    Although Avenir owes some of its interpretation to Futura (‘avenir’ translates as ‘future’ in French, after all), the typeface is not purely geometric; it has vertical strokes that are thicker than the horizontals, and shortened ascenders. This enables Avenir to work for both display and body copy, and to nestle very comfortably alongside old-style serif fonts such as Minion.

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OK I get it, now show me some examples….

Below you can find three examples of great typographical brand identities. If you like what you see, we are based in Primrose Hill, London and would be delighted if you gave us a call on 020 7722 3228 or email us at design@steptoandson.co.uk to discuss your branding requirements.

10 great web font combinations