How to Choose a Font for Your Logo

A logo is often the most-seen piece of text a business has, so its font deserves some thought. Work through this checklist before you commit.

Start with the personality

Write down three words that describe your brand. A geometric sans can feel modern, a high-contrast serif can feel premium, and a chunky rounded face can feel playful. Discard any font that contradicts your three words, no matter how attractive it is.

Test it at real sizes

Your logo must work as a tiny favicon and on a large sign. Type your exact brand name into the preview and look at it both very small and very large. Fine details and tight script loops are usually the first things to fail.

Check your specific letters

A font can look lovely in a sample and awkward with your name. Watch for odd letter pairs, such as "rn" reading as "m", and check that the spacing looks even.

Check the license

This step matters most. Make sure the license allows logo use. Open Font License fonts do, while many personal-use fonts do not. Keep a copy of the license alongside your brand files.

Make it yours

Popular free fonts are used by many companies. Convert the text to outlines and adjust a letter or two, or add a simple mark. If trademark protection matters to you, get advice from a lawyer.

Browse our logo fonts or read our guide to font licenses for more.