What Fonts Are Standard With Windows
Bazara Benavides
Here you can find the list with the standard set of fonts common to all versions ofWindows and their Mac substitutes, referred sometimes as "browser safe fonts". This is thereference I use when making web pages and I expect you will find it useful too.
If you are new to web design, maybe you are thinking: "Why I have to limit to that small set of fonts? I have alarge collection of nice fonts in my computer". Well, as seasoned web designers already know, browsers can use onlythe fonts installed in each computer, so it means that every visitor of your web page needs to haveall the fonts you want to use installed in his/her computer. Of course, different people willhave different fonts installed, and thus come the need of a standard set of fonts. Fortunately, CSS allowsset several values for the font-family property, which eases the task a bit.
If you want to know how the fonts are displayed in other OS's or browsers than yours, afterthe table you can find several screen shots of this page in differentsystems and browsers. Also, you can take a look to the list of the default fontsincluded with each version of Windows.
Note that while the ClearType smoothing is applied always, the basic font smoothing ofWindows 98/2000/XP is applied only to certain font sizes. That sizes can be specified by thefont designer, but usually they are in the ranges of 0-6 and 14+ points (pt).
Unfortunately, many of us work on computers where we have no control over what fonts are loaded onto the machine, so we have created a list of the top 10 most common system fonts everyone should know and how to handle them.
Helvetica is a widely used sans-serif typeface initially designed in 1957 by Swiss designer Max Miedinger. It is known for its clean, modern, and minimal design and has become one of the world's most popular and widely used typefaces.
Helvetica is often described as a neutral and versatile typeface that works well in various contexts and applications. It has a simple, geometric design with uniform stroke weights and is considered highly legible and easy to read.
Since its release, Helvetica has become one of the most widely used typefaces in the world and has been used in an extensive range of applications, including corporate branding and all the signage in New York. Unfortunately, for this reason, it can sometimes be deemed bland and invisible.
Futura is a sans-serif typeface designed in 1927 by German typeface designer Paul Renner. It is known for its clean, modern, and geometric design and has become one of the world's most popular and widely used typefaces.
Futura is characterised by its simple and geometric forms, as well as its uniform stroke weights and circular forms. It has a strong and modernist aesthetic and is sometimes associated with the Bauhaus design movement.
Since its release, Futura has become one of the most widely used typefaces in the world and has been used in a wide range of applications, including corporate branding, marketing materials, and user interfaces. As a result, it has become a symbol of retro modernity and simplicity in design.
Garamond's typefaces are known for their elegance and readability, with a strong emphasis on legibility and clarity. They are characterised by their small x-height, long ascenders and descenders, and moderate stroke contrast, which gives them a refined and formal appearance.
One of the most famous Garamond typefaces is the "Old Style" Garamond, initially designed by Garamond in the 16th century. This typeface is considered one of the most legible and readable typefaces in the world, and it has been used extensively in printing and publishing for centuries.
In addition to their use in print, Garamond typefaces are also widely used in digital media, such as websites and electronic documents. Furthermore, due to its refined and professional appearance, Garamond is often used in formal settings, such as business documents and academic papers.
Times New Roman is a serif typeface designed by Stanley Morison and Victor Lardent in 1931. It was commissioned by the British newspaper The Times, which wanted a new typeface to replace its existing font, Times Old Roman.
Times New Roman is characterised by its small x-height, long ascenders and descenders, and moderate stroke contrast. It has a classic and formal appearance and is often used in formal settings such as business documents and academic papers.
Arial is a sans-serif typeface designed by Robin Nicholas and Patricia Saunders in 1982. It was initially designed as a display font for IBM's new laser printer and intended to be a licence-free alternative to the popular but expensive font Helvetica.
Arial is characterised by its simple, clean lines and lack of decorative flourishes, just like Helvetica. It strongly emphasises legibility and readability and is often used for large blocks of text to be read on-screen.
In addition to its use in print, Arial is also widely used in digital media, such as websites and electronic documents. For example, it is a popular choice for use in PowerPoint presentations and other office documents because it is installed on every computer worldwide as a default font, and PowerPoint users are notoriously lazy.
Arial has undergone several updates and revisions over the years, and it is now available in several variations, including Arial Narrow and Arial Black. However, it is still only a poor imitation of Helvetica. If you have the option, replace all instances of Arial on your computer with Helvetica immediately.
Verdana is a humanist sans-serif typeface designed by rockstar Matthew Carter for Microsoft in 1996. Verdana was designed for computer screens and other low-resolution displays and was intended to be highly legible and easily read in small sizes. Humanist fonts are easier to read than traditional sans-serifs, and remember, in 1996, computer screens had terrible resolution.
Verdana is characterised by its large x-height, vast proportions, and open letterforms. It strongly emphasises legibility and readability and is often used for large blocks of text. It has a modern and clean appearance and is well-suited for use in digital media such as websites and electronic documents.
In addition to its use in digital media, Verdana is also used in print. However, it is not as common as other sans-serif typefaces, such as Arial or Helvetica, because people have no idea what they're doing, and the screen resolutions have improved since 1996. Nevertheless, it is still a popular choice for use on websites and other digital media because of its legibility and readability in small sizes.
Comic Sans is a sans-serif typeface designed by Vincent Connare in 1994. It was initially designed for Microsoft Bob, a software interface designed to make computers more accessible and user-friendly for non-technical users.
Times New Roman was planned for speech bubbles in the program's (Bob) cartoon characters, but clearly, that was a bad idea (see above), so Vincent designed Comic Sans instead to have a more casual and friendly appearance.
Comic Sans is characterised by its informal and playful appearance, with rounded letters and moderate stroke contrast. It is often used for titles and headlines in documents and graphics and has a light and whimsical feel.
Despite its popularity, Comic Sans has also been the subject of much criticism and controversy. Many designers and typographers consider it poorly designed and overused, and it has been criticised for being inappropriate in many professional and formal settings.
Despite this, Comic Sans remains a popular typeface and is widely used in various contexts, including in documents, graphics, and digital media, again because it comes as a standard default font on computers, and most people are too lazy to look for something more suitable.
Trebuchet is a humanist sans-serif typeface also designed by Vincent Connare in 1996. It was initially designed for the Microsoft Windows operating system as a clean and legible typeface for on-screen applications and user interfaces. It also proves that Comic Sans wasn't a mistake, as Vincent can obviously design a decent typeface if he wants to.
Trebuchet is characterised by its simple and clean lines and a strong emphasis on legibility and readability. It has a friendly appearance and is often used for large blocks of text. It has a moderate stroke contrast and a large x-height, which makes it easy to read at small sizes.
Trebuchet has undergone several updates and revisions since 1996, and it is now available in several variations, including Trebuchet MS and Trebuchet Pro. It is a widely used and popular typeface and continues to be a staple of the digital media industry.
Gill Sans is a sans-serif typeface designed by Eric Gill in 1926. Gill was a British sculptor, type designer, and artist known for his contributions to printing and typography. His typefaces, including Gill Sans, are known for their classic simplicity, clean lines, and a strong emphasis on legibility and readability.
So, unfortunately, despite Gill Sans' beautiful, timeless design and its classic simplicity, I cannot bring myself to use it anymore. Therefore, it is essential to consider the personal histories of designers and take a stand against any form of abuse, no matter how long ago it happened.
Georgia is a serif typeface designed by rockstar Matthew Carter in 1993. It was specifically designed for use on the web and intended to be a highly legible and readable typeface at small sizes on computer screens.
Georgia is characterised by its large x-height, wide proportions, and open letterforms. It strongly emphasises legibility and readability and is often used for large blocks of text. It has a modern and clean appearance and is well-suited for use in digital media such as websites and electronic documents.
In addition to its use in digital media, Georgia is also used in print. It is a well-designed font, so even though it was designed for the screen, it prints nicely. However, it is relatively chunky and doesn't always play nice with others.
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