14 Underrated Google Sans Serif Fonts That Are Free

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When it comes to web and graphic design, typography plays a huge role in defining the look, feel, and readability of your work.

While many designers instantly gravitate toward the most popular choices, there’s a treasure trove of Google sans serif fonts that often get overlooked.

Best Google fonts offer a clean, modern aesthetic, are completely free, and can rival the premium options you’d find in paid font libraries.

Best sans serif fonts have long been favored in UI/UX design, branding, and editorial layouts for their clarity, minimalism, and adaptability across digital and print mediums.

The best Google sans serif fonts are not only versatile but also optimized for performance, making them an excellent choice for websites and mobile apps where load times and accessibility matter.

Yet, many beautiful and functional options remain underutilized simply because they don’t get as much attention as the usual suspects like Roboto or Open Sans.

In this Design Journal article, we’ll shine a spotlight on 14 underrated sans serif Google fonts that you can use for free in your next design project.

From elegant geometric styles to approachable humanist designs, these fonts deserve a place in your creative toolkit. Let’s uncover the hidden gems that can give your designs a fresh, distinctive edge.

14 Google sans serif fonts

Discover a variety of Google Sans Serif fonts that can elevate your design projects. Each font offers unique styles and versatility, perfect for both web and print applications.

1. DM Sans

DM Sans is a geometric sans serif Google font designed for clarity and high legibility, especially at smaller sizes. Its rounded forms and balanced proportions make it a favorite among designers looking for approachable, modern typography.

This font is versatile enough for branding, UI design, and editorial use, thanks to its minimalistic and neutral character. The spacing and simplicity make it a strong contender for both headings and body text.

If you’re after a font that blends style and function, DM Sans is one of the best Google fonts you can choose without paying a cent.

2. Lexend

Lexend was designed with readability in mind, specifically to improve reading speed and reduce visual stress. Its wider letterforms and clean sans serif style make it stand out among lesser-known Google sans serif fonts.

Originally created for educational contexts, Lexend works beautifully in UI and web environments where accessibility matters. Its unique design helps keep text comfortable to read even over long periods.

It’s not just practical — Lexend’s subtle personality ensures your project doesn’t feel overly generic, making it a hidden gem in the font library.

3. IBM Plex Sans

IBM Plex Sans is a highly adaptable typeface developed by IBM as part of their brand identity. It’s a humanist sans serif that balances professionalism with approachability, perfect for tech-driven brands.

Its clean lines and subtle details make it one of the best Google sans serif fonts for corporate websites, software interfaces, and documentation. It performs well at multiple weights and sizes.

Whether you’re creating a dashboard UI or a sleek business presentation, IBM Plex Sans delivers readability and brand sophistication in one package.

4. Space Grotesk

Space Grotesk is a modern sans serif Google font with a slightly experimental edge, adapted from the Space Mono typeface. It offers geometric shapes with subtle quirks for personality.

This font shines in contemporary web and app design, especially in tech or creative sectors looking for a fresh voice. Its wide letter spacing and balanced proportions improve readability on digital screens.

For designers tired of overly conventional options, Space Grotesk is a refreshing alternative that still retains professional polish.

5. Balsamiq Sans

Balsamiq Sans captures a friendly, handwritten sans serif vibe while remaining highly functional for digital use. Inspired by the brand’s wireframing tool, it’s casual but clear.

Its playful tone makes it perfect for creative projects, children’s brands, or UI mockups where approachability matters. Unlike many stylized fonts, it maintains excellent legibility across sizes.

If you want a sans serif Google font that’s relaxed yet purposeful, Balsamiq Sans offers a nice break from the typical corporate feel.

6. Epilogue

Epilogue is a modern geometric sans serif that feels elegant without being overly formal. Its clean forms make it ideal for minimalist branding and design projects.

Available in multiple weights, it works beautifully for both striking headlines and clear body copy. Its visual harmony adds a premium look to digital and print layouts.

Designers seeking underrated Google sans serif fonts that radiate sophistication should give Epilogue serious consideration.

7. Archivo

Archivo is a sturdy, grotesque-style sans serif with strong visual impact. Originally designed for headlines and highlights, it’s bold yet highly readable.

Its compact letterforms and balanced weight distribution make it great for responsive web design where space is at a premium. Archivo handles scaling across devices with ease.

If your project calls for a font that can command attention while staying functional, Archivo is a fantastic free option.

8. Sen

Sen is a clean sans serif that brings warmth to modern typography. It’s simple yet subtly distinctive, making it a perfect match for UI/UX projects.

Its slightly rounded edges and even spacing enhance readability in both large headings and dense body text. Sen works especially well in editorial design and mobile apps.

This Google sans serif font proves that minimal doesn’t have to mean bland — it’s both approachable and professional.

9. Questrial

Questrial offers a perfect balance of modern styling and geometric precision. Its rounded terminals give it a friendly, approachable quality.

It works exceptionally well in branding, web interfaces, and even long-form text, thanks to its light and open structure. Designers love its easy adaptability across styles.

For anyone seeking a best Google sans serif font that feels both universal and unique, Questrial is a great pick.

10. Manrope

Manrope is a geometric sans serif with clean, minimal lines that still manage to convey character. It’s modern without feeling cold or mechanical.

Optimized for digital screens, it offers excellent readability at small sizes and crisp sharpness for large headings. Its versatility makes it a go-to for many design scenarios.

If you want a sans serif Google font that’s equal parts stylish and functional, Manrope fits the bill perfectly.

11. Urbanist

Urbanist is a contemporary sans serif designed with the needs of modern digital typography in mind. Its design feels fresh, urban, and minimal.

With multiple weights and a refined geometric base, it adapts to branding, editorial, and user interface applications effortlessly. It’s great for maintaining visual harmony across devices.

Among the newer additions to the Google Fonts library, Urbanist is quickly gaining traction among savvy designers who value both form and function.

12. Karla

Karla is a grotesque sans serif that offers a clean yet friendly appearance. Its straightforward style works beautifully in both professional and casual contexts.

It performs well across screen resolutions, making it a smart choice for responsive web design and mobile-first projects. Karla is available in multiple weights for flexible use.

As an underrated Google sans serif font, Karla delivers timeless simplicity with subtle character.

13. Red Hat Display

Red Hat Display is a bold, friendly sans serif designed for impactful headlines and branding. It has a confident presence without sacrificing clarity.

Its rounded shapes and generous spacing give it a modern tech-inspired aesthetic font, perfect for startups and product design. Available in multiple weights, it’s highly adaptable.

As one of the best Google sans serif fonts for attention-grabbing designs, Red Hat Display is a must-try.

14. Public Sans

Public Sans is a neutral, modern sans serif built for public service projects, but it works equally well for corporate and editorial design. Its tone is straightforward and trustworthy.

With excellent readability across devices, it’s a safe yet stylish choice for UI and web projects that require inclusivity and accessibility.

Public Sans is proof that Google sans serif fonts can be functional, beautiful, and free all at once.

How to Pair These Sans Serif Google Fonts

Pairing fonts is an art that balances harmony with contrast. While Google sans serif fonts are versatile, using them alongside other font styles can elevate your design’s personality.

The key is to create visual hierarchy—ensuring headings, subheadings, and body text each have distinct roles without clashing.

For example, font combination of a bold geometric sans serif like Space Grotesk for titles with a softer humanist serif like Merriweather for body text. This creates contrast while maintaining readability.

When pairing sans serif Google fonts, consider the tone of your project. If you’re working on a minimal, modern interface, you might combine two sans serifs of different weights—such as DM Sans for headlines and Manrope for paragraph text.

This approach keeps the design cohesive while still differentiating elements. For more expressive projects, try matching a sans serif with a script or display font for accents, ensuring the decorative choice doesn’t overpower your main content.

Another tip is to explore typeface families that offer both sans serif and serif versions, such as IBM Plex. Using both from the same family ensures perfect alignment in proportions, making your typography look intentional and professional.

The best Google sans serif fonts work well when their spacing, proportions, and character styles complement each other, so test combinations in actual layouts before finalizing your pairing.

Conclusion

Google sans serif fonts offer an incredible range of styles that are modern, versatile, and completely free. Whether you’re working on UI design, branding, presentations, or editorial layouts, these fonts provide the perfect balance of clarity and personality.

The 14 underrated fonts we’ve explored — from DM Sans to Public Sans — prove that you don’t have to rely on the most popular choices to create a standout design. By experimenting with different weights, styles, and pairings, you can give your projects a unique and professional touch.

With thoughtful pairing and consistent use, sans serif Google fonts can help you maintain a strong brand identity while ensuring a polished, readable design across platforms.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good sans serif font for Google?

A good sans serif font for Google projects depends on your design goals, but DM Sans, Manrope, and Lexend are popular choices. They are clean, versatile, and work well for both web and print. These fonts are part of the Google sans serif fonts collection, offering excellent readability across devices.

Which is the best sans-serif font?

The best sans-serif font is subjective, but widely loved options include IBM Plex Sans, Urbanist, and Space Grotesk. These fonts combine modern styling with strong legibility, making them suitable for UI design, branding, and editorial layouts.

What is the closest font to sans serif in Google Docs?

In Google Docs, Arial is the closest default option to a classic sans serif style. However, if you want more variety, you can add fonts from Google Fonts such as Questrial or Archivo, which offer a more contemporary sans serif look.

What font is Google Sans?

Google Sans is a proprietary typeface created by Google for its branding and products. It is not available in Google Fonts, but alternatives like Poppins, Product Sans-inspired fonts, and Manrope provide a similar clean, geometric sans serif aesthetic.