Free alternatives to Helvetica
Helvetica is the classic Swiss sans serif behind countless logos, signs and transit maps. It is a paid font, so these free fonts give you the same neutral, confident look.
Clear signs for busy places
Built for screens with the same tight, neutral grotesque shapes. The closest everyday match, with many weights.
Preview and download InterClear signs for busy places
Matches Helvetica and Arial letter widths, so text reflows almost exactly the same. Ideal for documents.
Preview and download ArimoClear signs for busy places
A friendly grotesque with similar proportions and a huge range of weights for apps and websites.
Preview and download RobotoClear signs for busy places
A grotesque with a slightly bolder, more industrial character for headlines and posters.
Preview and download Archivo
Helvetica alternatives, answered
What is the best free alternative to Helvetica?
Inter is the closest free match on Typesay. Built for screens with the same tight, neutral grotesque shapes. The closest everyday match, with many weights. Every option on this page is free for personal and commercial use.
Is Helvetica free?
Helvetica is a commercial or system font, so you generally need a licence to use it on websites, in apps or in some print work. The fonts on this page are open licence, so you can use them anywhere without paying.
Can I use these Helvetica alternatives commercially?
Yes. They are released under open licences such as the SIL Open Font License, which allows commercial use. The licence file is included in every download.
How do I check which one is closest?
Type your own words in the preview bar on this page and every option updates. Tap Compare on two or more fonts to see them side by side, or upload a picture of the original in image search.
More free font alternatives
Helvetica is a trademark of its owner. Typesay is not affiliated with it; the fonts above are different designs with a similar look.