DownloadPDF
Font Pairing Cheat Sheet
30 font pairs for websites and social posts
How to Use This Cheat Sheet
Every pair below uses fonts that are widely available for free through large open-source font libraries (such as Google Fonts) at the time of writing. Each pair lists a heading font, a body font, the mood, and where it works best.
Before you commit:
Check the license for your use (web, print, logo, products). Free fonts are usually under open licenses, but always confirm.
Test with your real content: your business name, a real headline, a real paragraph.
Check on a phone. Body text should be easy to read at small sizes.
Use two fonts, max three. More starts to look messy.
Shorthand: Serif = letters with small "feet"; Sans = without. Display = a bold font made for headlines.
Classic & Trustworthy
# | Heading | Body | Mood | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Playfair Display | Source Sans 3 | Elegant, editorial | Boutiques, blogs, events |
2 | Merriweather | Open Sans | Warm, reliable | Consultants, nonprofits |
3 | Lora | Lato | Gentle, literary | Coaches, writers |
4 | Libre Baskerville | Roboto | Traditional, clear | Professional services |
5 | Cormorant Garamond | Proza Libre | Refined, luxurious | Jewelry, weddings, beauty |
6 | EB Garamond | Inter | Timeless with a modern touch | Publishers, studios |
Modern & Clean
# | Heading | Body | Mood | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | Montserrat | Merriweather | Confident, balanced | Agencies, portfolios |
8 | Poppins | Inter | Friendly, geometric | Apps, startups, courses |
9 | Raleway | Open Sans | Light, stylish | Lifestyle brands |
10 | Work Sans | Lora | Approachable with warmth | Creators, newsletters |
11 | DM Serif Display | DM Sans | Contemporary, polished | Design studios |
12 | Manrope | Source Serif 4 | Calm, intelligent | Tech, finance education |
13 | Outfit | Nunito Sans | Soft, modern | Wellness apps, services |
Friendly & Playful
# | Heading | Body | Mood | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
14 | Fredoka | Nunito | Cheerful, rounded | Kids' products, cafés |
15 | Baloo 2 | Mulish | Bubbly, welcoming | Bakeries, community brands |
16 | Quicksand | Karla | Light, kind | Wellness, gentle brands |
17 | Chewy | Open Sans | Fun, casual | Snacks, toys, events |
18 | Comfortaa | Lato | Soft, friendly | Pet brands, crafts |
Bold & Statement
# | Heading | Body | Mood | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
19 | Bebas Neue | Montserrat | Strong, punchy | Fitness, events, promos |
20 | Anton | Roboto | Loud, impactful | Sports, sales banners |
21 | Archivo Black | Archivo | Solid, unified family | Bold product brands |
22 | Oswald | Source Sans 3 | Condensed, urban | Streetwear, posters |
23 | Abril Fatface | Lato | Dramatic, fashion | Magazines, fashion labels |
Warm & Handmade
# | Heading | Body | Mood | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
24 | Pacifico (use sparingly) | Raleway | Relaxed, retro | Surf, summer, cafés |
25 | Caveat | Karla | Handwritten, personal | Notes, quotes, small makers |
26 | Amatic SC | Josefin Sans | Rustic, airy | Farmers' markets, crafts |
27 | Yeseva One | Josefin Sans | Vintage, characterful | Florists, gift shops |
Minimal / Single-Family Systems
# | Heading | Body | Mood | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
28 | Inter (Bold) | Inter (Regular) | Neutral, ultra-clear | Tech, dashboards, minimal brands |
29 | IBM Plex Serif | IBM Plex Sans | Structured, matching family | Education, documentation |
30 | Space Grotesk | Space Mono (accents) + Inter (body) | Techy, quirky | Developers, creative tech |
Pairing Rules of Thumb
Contrast, not conflict. Pair a serif with a sans, or a bold display font with a simple body font. Two fonts that are almost the same can look like a mistake.
Match the mood. Both fonts should fit your three brand personality words.
Body text wins on readability. Pick a body font with open letter shapes and comfortable spacing.
Use weights for hierarchy. Bold headings, regular body, maybe a medium for subheadings.
Script and display fonts are spices. Use them for a word or headline, never for paragraphs.
Consider language support. If you write in several languages, check that the fonts include all the characters you need.
Suggested Sizes (Starting Points)
Element | Website | Social post (1080 px wide) |
|---|---|---|
Main heading | 36–48 px | 70–110 px |
Subheading | 22–28 px | 45–60 px |
Body text | 16–18 px | 32–40 px |
Small text / captions | 13–14 px | 26–30 px |
Adjust for each font; some run larger or smaller than others at the same size.
My Font Choice
Heading | Body | |
|---|---|---|
Font name | ||
Weights used | ||
License checked | ☐ | ☐ |
Where it's used |
Sample product from a Fora-made demo creator page. Font availability and licenses can change; always check before use.
What you get
- 4-page PDF guide
- Classic & Trustworthy
- Modern & Clean
- Friendly & Playful