A Beginner's Guide to Font Selection: Tips and Top Free Typeface Combinations for Impactful UI

Picture this - you've just wrapped up the UX wireframes for a new project. Everything's been given the thumbs up, and shockingly, the client has even delivered the final copy on time (gasp!). Now, it's time to tackle the UI, the visual layer that brings it all to life.

Every designer has a unique approach to this stage, like a painter before a blank canvas. But, let's be honest, the sheer number of choices can feel a bit like being a kid in a candy store - so many colors, styles, icons, and fonts to choose from!

During such moments, it's helpful to fall back on steadfast guidelines and reliable tools. Think of it as reaching for your favorite tried-and-true recipe when you're unsure of what to make for dinner - it's dependable and sure to yield a pleasing outcome!

So, let's dive into these five straightforward rules to keep in mind:

1. Embrace Minimalism: Less is More

Starting a design project is like taking on an exciting challenge. Your header font is the first impression you make, and it should be bold and attention-grabbing. On the other hand, your body text font should be reliable and easy on the eyes, creating a seamless reading experience.

Most of the time, these two fonts are all you need to create a successful design.

Consider adding a third font only if it truly enhances your design, like a well-placed highlight. The aim is to create a harmonious, well-balanced design, not a cluttered one. It should be engaging yet easy to navigate!

2. Avoid Conflict: Complement or Contrast

When fonts clash for attention, it's like a loud argument at a dinner party - it leaves guests feeling awkward and wanting to leave. So, when pairing fonts, make sure they're either good friends (complementing each other) or interesting opposites (contrasting) but never at each other's throats (in conflict).

One smooth way to keep peace at the font party is by inviting guests from the same family - typeface family.

They're naturally designed to get along well. Just keep an eye out that they aren't too alike. We don't want any "I wore it better" moments. Some fonts come from 'superfamilies'’ offering different character traits, styles, and strengths that gel well together.

3. Harness the Power of Math: Use a Type Scale

Keeping your users in mind, make your headers pop and differ from your paragraphs.

A popular trick is having your header at twice the size of your paragraph text.

Wondering how to select the right font sizes? Here's where a Typographic Scale comes in handy. It's like a thoughtful blueprint for your fonts, starting from a base size (say 18px), and it uses a certain ratio to create a set of font sizes that seamlessly blend together.

To make this process even easier, there's a tool named Type Scale. It's a neat way to adjust your base font size by either multiplying or dividing it by a specific number (like 1.25). This way, you're provided with a range of font sizes that gel well together.

4. Keep It Clear: Don't Forget About Accessibility

Never underestimate the importance of accessibility in design. It's not just a nice-to-have; it's a must. The choice of color for your text plays a key role here.

What you want is to create enough contrast between your text and its background. How do you measure that?

Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.

This is the standard set by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to meet level AA accessibility requirements.

Remember, your design is for everyone. A high contrast ratio ensures that your text is easily readable by as many people as possible, including those with visual impairments. When your design is accessible, it's not just good ethics - it's also good business.

To make your life easier, consider using Figma plugins to help you pick color combinations that hit the accessibility mark. Good examples are A11y or Stark.

5. Stick with the Winners: Use Popular Fonts

Going for popular fonts can be a smart move. Usually, popular means - they offer a range of weights and styles to give you a flexible starting point. Most of the fonts I listed below are Sans Serif, and that is for a good reason: Sans Serif typefaces are excellent choices as they don't convey a strong mood or personality, can fit with most brand styles, and are easier to read, reduce cognitive load for users.

Plus, many of these fonts are OpenType. What's OpenType, you ask? It's a type of font that works well across different platforms (like Windows, macOS, and Linux). It also supports a wide array of characters and languages and comes with automatic spacing adjustments for a better look. All in all, OpenType fonts are a versatile tool that can make your designs more consistent and appealing. So, no need to reinvent the wheel each time. Go with what works!

My Top Free and Reliable Typeface Picks:

1. DM Sans

2. Poppins

3. Lexend

4. Work Sans

And great-looking combos:

1. Poppins + DM Sans

2. DM Sans + Open Sans

3. DM Sans + Inter

4. Plus Jakarta Sans + Inter

5. Libre Baskerville + Work Sans