18 Favorite Font Pairings for Squarespace (2024)
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Top Squarespace Font Combinations 2024: My Favorite Picks
Looking for that perfect font combo for your Squarespace website?
You might be overwhelmed as you’re designing your site, wondering, “how do I choose the right fonts for my website?”
Well, look no more. I have over a dozen - eighteen in fact! - hand-picked custom font pairings for you in this blog post.
From simple and modern to creative and charming, I’ve got a list of font pairings that’ll take your website from run-of-the-mill ordinary to top-of-the-pops stunning.
So, you may be wondering, what even is a font?
I’ll do a quick little explainer on fonts vs typography, including sharing a handy-dandy analogy to help you remember the difference between a font and a typeface.
… And of course HOW to change your fonts in Squarespace!
So, what IS a font?
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FONT AND A TYPEFACE
‘Font’ and ‘typeface’ are terms often used interchangeably, but they do indeed have different meanings. When most people think of a font, they might actually be thinking of a typeface.
I’ll explain:
FONT
A font is a specific variation of a typeface.
Think of things like size, weight (like bold or light), and style (like italic).
For example, 'Arial Bold 12pt' is a font.
TYPEFACE
A typeface, however, is a set of characters with shared design features.
It's the overall design of the characters, including aspects like line width, curves, and flourishes.
A typeface encompasses a family of fonts.
For example, 'Arial' is a typeface, which includes several fonts like Arial Regular, Arial Bold, Arial Italic, etc.
So, a typeface is the broader design concept, while a font is a specific version of that design.
A good analogy for understanding the difference between a font and a typeface is this:
Think of a typeface as an album.
It's the overall collection of work that has different songs.
And just like an album has different songs, a typeface has different fonts.
A font, on the other hand, is like a single song on the album:
It's a specific style or variation within the broader collection. Just like a song has its own vibe, duration, rhythm, and mood, a font has its specific weight, size, and style, which makes it different from other fonts in the same typeface family.
So when in doubt,
think of a typeface as the Abbey Road album -
and a font as the album song Come Together 😜
Squarespace Fonts: What fonts does Squarespace use?
Squarespace gives you access to both Google fonts and Adobe fonts.
You have three (…erm, four I guess, now that I wrote it out) different choices with fonts in Squarespace:
You can use one of their predefined font packs
You can choose and assign your own fonts within Squarespace
You can upload your own custom fonts to Squarespace (purchased or acquired elsewhere)
Or you can do a combination of these. For example you can upload your own Header font, and use a native Squarespace font.
Brief Font and Font-Pairing Guidelines
Now, you might be wondering if there are basic guidelines for pairing fonts.
The answer is oh yes indeed, and I won’t leave you hanging!
A word of caution though: don’t get lost in the weeds — start simple. If you get overwhelmed, choose something and move on. You can always come back later to adjust.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
Number of Fonts
Limit the number of fonts: Typically, you’ll only want to use two to three fonts in a design. More than three can make your design look cluttered, messy, and inconsistent.
Contrast
Contrast is key: Choose fonts that complement yet contrast with each other. High contrast in font pairings can create a dynamic and engaging visual hierarchy.
Size Contrast: Combine different sizes for headers and body text.
Weight Contrast: Pair a bold font with a light or regular one.
Style Contrast: Mix fonts with different characteristics, like a serif with a sans-serif.
Serif + Sans Serif
Combining Serif and Sans Serif: Pairing a serif font (which has small lines or strokes at the ends of letters) with a sans-serif font (which does not) is a classic choice.
Serifs are often seen as traditional and readable, good for body text.
Sans-serifs are seen as modern and clean, suitable for headers and captions.
Legibility
Prioritize Legibility: The primary goal of typography is readability.
Don’t use overly decorative or script fonts for body text.
Ensure sufficient font size and line spacing.
Context and Mood
Consider the mood and context: The fonts should align with the tone and purpose of the content.
For example, a more formal serif might suit a legal document, while a bold and chunky sans-serif could be better for a tech startup's website.
Consistency
Maintain consistency: Use the same fonts throughout your design to create a cohesive and on-brand look.
Testing
Test on different devices and sizes: Make sure that the fonts work well across different devices, screen sizes, and resolutions.
License and Accessibility
Check font licenses and accessibility: You gotta make sure you have the legal right to use the fonts, especially for commercial projects. Yes, this might mean purchasing a font you really love if you’re obsessed. Like I am with Jen Wagner’s fonts 😍 (affiliate link). Also, consider accessibility for users with visual impairments.
By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can make font combinations that look great and on-brand on your website, while also being easy to read and accessible.
How to Assign Your Fonts in Squarespace
Here's a two minute video walkthrough on how to add your header and paragraph fonts to your Squarespace website:
🤓 And here is how to do it you’re more of a reader than a watcher:
Log In to Squarespace: First, sign in to your Squarespace account.
Open Your Website Editor: Click on the website you want to edit.
Click the paintbrush icon in the upper right corner, or type /site-styles to directly pull up the font options
Find Fonts Section: Under Site Styles, click on "Fonts".
Choose Your Fonts:
For headers, look for "Headings" Click on it.
For paragraph text, find "Paragraphs" and click on it.
Browse and choose fonts: Squarespace will show you a selection of font packs or you can customize your own.
Font Packs: These are pre-selected font combinations created by Squarespace. You can choose one that fits your site’s style.
Customize Fonts: If you want more control, select 'Custom Fonts' to mix and match different fonts for headings, paragraphs, and other text elements. This is what I did in the video above.
To Select and Apply Your Own Fabulous Font Combo:
You can browse through the list of fonts, or just type in the font you know you want. You can also preview how they look.
When you find the ones you like, click on them to select.
After selecting, click "Save" to apply these fonts to your site.
You can adjust the weight, style, line height, and line spacing of your font selections.
Don’t forget to update your button font, your heading navigation, and other miscellaneous font styles throughout your website by clicking on ‘Assign Styles’.
Check Your Website: Go back to your website to confirm how rockin’ your new fonts look!
BEST Font Pairings in Squarespace
OK now on to the font pairings!!
Now that you know the difference between a font and typography and how to assign and choose fonts in Squarespace, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite Squarespace font pairings for you.
I’ve used the same word examples for all of the fonts, and have shown a variety of bold, italics, and uppercase so you can get a sense of what they look like. I made all of the examples in one of my Squarespace templates, and did not manually adjust the font settings.
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Weight: 400
Style: Normal
Line Height: 1.3
Letter Spacing: 0
Text Transform: None
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Weight: 300
Style: Normal
Line Height: 1.4
Letter Spacing: 0
Text Transform: None
Squarespace Font Pairings
01. Termina / Libre Baskerville: Modern & Elegant
Termina, a bold and modern sans-serif font, teams up with Libre Baskerville, a traditional serif font. This pairing blends modern and classic styles. Termina's bold, modern look grabs attention. Libre Baskerville adds a classic touch that's also easy on the eyes. This mix can make any project stand out while keeping it reader-friendly.
Ideal for: Making things look fancy and modern. Great for businesses that want to show off style and class.
Tech Consultant
Historical Author or Blogger
Brand Strategist
02. Ivy Presto / Sofia-pro: Sophisticated Chic
Ivy Presto and Sofia-pro are a lux and sophisticated combo, and one of my favorites on this list! This duo is sophisticated. 💅 Ivy Presto offers an upscale and exclusive feel with its elegant and polished design. Sofia-pro adds a modern touch with its simple and clear look, making sure everything is easy to read. This combination is great for high-end branding and editorial work where style and readability are important.
Ideal for: Projects that need to look stylish and upscale where style and clarity are key.
Brand Consultant
Fashion Photographer
Interior Designer
03. Cormorant Infant / Aktiv Grotesk Extended: Classic Contemporary
This font pairing is elegant and modern. Cormorant Infant, a serif font, draws inspiration from the traditional Garamond typefaces. With its high-contrast, serif design, it gives off a refined and classical air, like a fancy lady in a fancy mansion. Aktiv Grotesk Extended, on the other hand, as a modern sans-serif was inspired by the functional and unembellished style of the grotesque typefaces. It provides a grounded, clean counterpoint, with an approachable vibe. Ideal for brands that aim to combine traditional sophistication with a modern twist.
Ideal for: Mixing old-school style with a modern touch. Good for businesses that two the line between respect tradition and also like new things.
Wedding Planner
Graphic Designer
Photographer
04. Playfair Display / Montserrat: Traditional Meets Modern
Playfair Display, based on the traditional design of serif typefaces the from the 18th century, is classically elegant (and looks great in italics! See below example). While Montserrat, designed specifically for online use, is a clean sans-serif that provides a neutral counterbalance. Considering their different styles, you might think they wouldn’t match, but actually, they pair well together.
This combination is naturally complimentary, creating a balance between Playfair’s heavier, classical vibe and Montserrat’s clean, contemporary look. Montserrat is wildly popular these days and probably considered a bit overused. But it’s popular for a reason, so don’t let its ubiquitousness scare you away!
Ideal for: Playfair Display's traditional serifs with Monserrat's sans-serif geometry is a popular choice among designers for creating contrast and hierarchy in their projects
Digital Content Creator
Personal Stylist
Web Designer
05. ITC Avant Garde Gothic Pro / Lora: Avant-Garde Harmony
(alternate description: Bone Thugs-N- Avant-Garde Harmony)
ITC Avant Garde Gothic Pro, based on the geometric style of the 1920s and the early Bauhaus movement, has been modified for contemporary use, while still maintaining its distinctive, clean geometric shapes. Lora, on the other hand, is a serif font that balances classic and contemporary cues with its fluid, calligraphy-inspired letterforms. The result of this combination is a timeless effect that brings together the best of both worlds: modernity without feeling impersonal, and tradition without looking outdated.
Ideal for: Showing off creativity and new ideas. Excellent for businesses in creative fields like marketing and design.
Marketing Consultant
Graphic Designer
Creative Writer
06. Orpheus Pro / Freight Sans Pro: Timeless Versatility
Orpheus Pro, with its flowing serifs and distinctive elegance reminiscent of early 20th-century typefaces, pairs wonderfully with Freight Sans Pro's straightforward, no-nonsense sans-serif design. The unique 'Q' tail in Orpheus Pro and the clean lines of Freight Sans Pro's uppercase letters create a pleasant contract. This combo combines the ornate (Orpheus Pro) with the minimalist (Freight Sans Pro), ideal for delivering messages with both flair and clarity.
Ideal for: Making things look both classic and simple. Good for photography, writing, and coaching jobs.
Copywriter
Professional Speaker
Legal Consultant
07. Futura PT / Arial: Reliable Simplicity
Another of my favorite combos! These are both sans serif fonts. Futura PT is one of the most widely used typefaces of the 20th century. (Also, fun fact - it was the first font in space!) It’s known (and loved) for its geometric shapes and distinctive sharp letters, which contrasts nicely with Arial's more rounded and uniform design. This pairing is easy, it’s breezy, and your visitors won’t get lost in twirly serifs.
Ideal for: A clean, modern, and easy-to-understand style. Great for tech companies and web designers.
Web Designer
Business Coach
Online Educator
08. Poppins / Steven Sans: Clean and Friendly
Poppins, a geometric sans-serif, and Steven Sans, a contemporary sans-serif, come together for a clean and modern aesthetic. Poppins is friendly and rounded, like a popple (‘member those, fellow Gen-Xers?) while Stevie Sans provides a streamlined and efficient look. The clarity of Poppins in uppercase pairs well with the friendly demeanor of Steven Sans, making this combination versatile for digital and print mediums, where simplicity and approachability are key.
Ideal for: A neat and approachable look. Works well for educational services and friendly businesses.
App Developer
Social Media Manager
UX/UI Designer
09. Abril Fatface / Muli: Bold and Balanced
Abril Fatface, a serif font, is a nod to the heavy titling fonts used in advertising posters in 19th century Britain and France. Muli, a minimalist sans-serif, offers a clean and understated counterbalance with its uniform lines and subtle curves. Together, Abril Fatface and Muli create a dynamic visual hierarchy, pairing the impactful and ornate with the sleek and modern, great for making a statement while ensuring legibility.
Ideal for: Making a strong impact but still keeping things easy to read. Great for marketing, advertising, and bold creative projects.
Fashion Blogger
Branding Specialist
Lifestyle Photographer
10. Swear Display / Europe: Artistic Edge
Swear Display, a distinctive serif, and Europe, a sleek sans-serif, create a striking contrast. Swear Display offers a lovely, artistic flair and a strong personality. Europe, meanwhile, is a crisp and welcoming sans serif font. This pairing blends the expressive and detailed nature of Swear Display with the simplicity and clarity of Europe, making a lovely and balanced design suitable for both bold headlines and straightforward text. Great for multi-passionates who identify as both classy and approachable.
Ideal for: Creative jobs like graphic art, photography, and innovative startups. It's for when you want to stand out and be different.
Creative products-based business
Creative Writer
Music Producer
11. Ambroise Std / Josefina: Refined Contrast
Ambroise Std iis a sophisticated serif with sharp, refined features and pronounced serifs while Josefina, a soft sans-serif, offers simplicity and warmth with its rounded edges. Together, Ambroise Std and Josefina create a harmonious and versatile pairing that's ideal for designs that demand attention while maintaining a friendly and accessible feel. I just love the italics of Ambroise Std, and that capital R is gorgeous.
Ideal for: Elegant and professional looks. Good for law firms, financial advisors, and high-class services.
Academic Research Consultant
Life Coach or Mentor
Travel Advisor
12. Gopher Bold / Gopher Regular: Bold Consistency
Gopher Bold, with its assertive and impactful presence, excels in grabbing attention, especially with its rounded 'O' and strong 'E'. Gopher Regular, lighter but also robust, maintains consistency with subtle elegance, ensuring readability. This pairing, using different weights of the same family, is fun and bold. It creates a cohesive and dynamic visual hierarchy, perfect for distinguishing headlines from body text while maintaining a unified aesthetic. Great for playful or motivational brands.
To use this font combo, choose ‘Gopher’ for both Heading and Paragraph, and make all headings bold in the Site Styles section.
Ideal for: Making a statement while keeping it simple. Perfect for personal branding, coaches, and motivational speakers.
Marketing Consultant
Public Relations Specialist
Corporate Trainer
13. Agenda / IBM Plex Serif: Business Casual
Agenda, a sleek and modern sans-serif, is known for its clean lines and functional elegance, with characters like the 'A' and 'G' showcasing its geometric clarity. IBM Plex Serif, in contrast, brings a touch of warmth and readability with its serifs and variable stroke widths. This combination creates a versatile pairing and a balanced and professional aesthetic, ideal for designs that aim to communicate with both efficiency and depth. I love IBM Plex Serif, and could see this being a great Header font instead.
Ideal for: A friendly yet professional style. Suits small businesses, consultants, and casual corporate websites.
Financial Advisor
Educational Consultant
IT Consultant
14. Aktiv Grotesk Extended / Aktiv Grotesk Condensed: Uniform Adaptability
Love this one too. Aktiv Grotesk Extended, with its open and friendly appearance, shines in settings that require clarity and a welcoming vibe. While Aktiv Grotesk Condensed offers a more compact and streamlined look, making it great for tight spaces without sacrificing legibility, especially visible in its narrow 'A' and 'S'. Pairing these two variations allows for a cohesive and flexible design approach, enabling a unified look that can adapt to both expansive and constrained layouts. The uppercase version of the Extended font is so good!
Ideal for: A uniform look with a modern twist. Good for corporate businesses, tech firms, and professional services.
Graphic Designer
Business Coach
Virtual Assistant
15. Oswald / Noto Serif: Sharp and Serene
Oswald, a sans-serif that’s been optimized for digital displays, features a taller, more condensed profile, which gives headlines a commanding presence, especially with its striking 'L' and 'T'. While Noto Serif offers a classic serif counterpoint, providing warmth and readability, particularly seen in its lovely curvy 'Q' and refined 'K'.
This pairing of Oswald's modern, streamlined form with Noto Serif's traditional elegance creates a balanced and attractive contrast, great for engaging designs where clarity and character are key. This is such a good combination together, offering a sense of professionalism with classy approachability.
Ideal for: A mix of modern and calm style. Works well for news sites, blogs, and educational content.
Journalist
Copywriter
Digital Products & Downloads Shop Owner
16. Fjalla One / Nunito: Modern Approachability
Augh, another favorite! (OK, I obviously like all these or else I wouldn’t have included them, haha.) Fjalla One, a condensed sans-serif with a strong and upright stance, makes a bold statement. Nunito, a well-rounded sans-serif with soft curves, adds a touch of gentleness, balancing Fjalla One's intensity. This blend of Fjalla One's assertiveness and Nunito's smoothness creates a visually harmonious combo, perfect for designs that require impact without sacrificing friendliness.
Ideal for: A friendly and modern vibe. Great for e-commerce, educational, and customer-focused services.
Fitness Coach
Wellness Blogger
Travel Blogger
… for some reason, this screenshot is smaller than all of the other ones I’ve posted, and I can’t figure out why! 😫 It’s messing with my internal state of order, but for now, I’m accepting it and moving on.
17. Input Serif Narrow / Input Sans: Technical Clarity
Input is a flexible system of fonts designed specifically for code. It looks great on websites too IMO! Input Serif Narrow, a serif designed for high readability, features a tight, efficient design, making it perfect for detailed editorial work. Input Sans, it’s sans-serif counterpart, offers a clean and uncluttered look, complementing the serif's density. This pairing mimics the look creates a streamlined and cohesive experience, ideal for websites where legibility and a clean aesthetic are key.
Ideal for: Clear and technical looks. Ideal for tech blogs, scientific sites, and data-driven businesses.
Journalist
Data Analyst
Copywriter
18. Tenez / Poppins: Elegant and Approachable
Tenez is an underrated font, in my opinion. Tenez is an elegant serif font that, when paired with Poppins gives a stylish yet relatable vibe, kind of like your favorite TikTok influencer. 😜 Tenez offers a touch of sophistication and flair with its unique curves, while Poppins grounds the pairing with its clean, modern lines. Ideal for designs to aim to be modern yet timeless. (Gahhh look at that capital ‘R’ in Tenez, I love it so much.)
Ideal for: Being stylish yet easy to relate to. Perfect for beauty blogs, wellness coaching, and lifestyle brands.
Boutique Shop Owner
Event Planner
Personal Brand Coach
AND There we have it friends!
If you need help making your Squarespace site just right for your business, get in touch. I’m good at making brand and value-aligned websites that showcases what your business is about.
Need More Help?
Publishing your new website can be a big step. You’ve got your fonts picked out, but what about everything else you need to do before you hit publish?
For more detailed help on publishing a Squarespace website, I made a free checklist that goes into a lot more detail. It’s packed with tips on everything from Squarespace-specific tasks to SEO (two pages) to accessibility.
Snag your free copy here 👇