Free Alternatives to Core Sans
About Core Sans
- Foundry
- S-Core
- Classification
- sans-serif
- Style
- neo-grotesque
Core Sans is a versatile sans-serif typeface from S-Core. With its clean lines and modern geometric proportions, Core Sans works effectively across digital interfaces, print materials, and brand identities. The typeface balances neutral character shapes with subtle personality, making it adaptable to many design contexts. Its neo-grotesque design philosophy emphasizes uniformity and clarity, following the tradition established by Helvetica.
Design Philosophy
Core Sans was created with a clear vision: to provide designers with a typeface that balances functionality with aesthetic appeal. Every curve, angle, and proportion has been carefully considered to ensure optimal performance across different applications and sizes. The design team focused on creating letterforms that would remain distinctive while being highly readable, achieving the difficult balance between personality and practicality.
Why People Replace Core Sans
- Licensing cost: Core Sans requires a paid license from S-Core
- Per-seat pricing: Most premium fonts charge per user or device
- No variable font: Requires purchasing multiple weights separately
- Web font licensing: Additional fees for web embedding
Best Free Alternative
Inter is the closest free match at 85% similarity.
Similar versatile grotesque
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Core Sans | Inter |
|---|---|---|
| License | Paid | OFL-1.1 |
| Weights | Multiple | Variable (100-900) |
| Variable | No | Yes |
| Cyrillic | No | Yes |
| Source | S-Core | Google Fonts |
FAQ
Is Core Sans free?
No, Core Sans is a premium font from S-Core. The best free alternative is Inter.
What is the best free alternative to Core Sans?
Inter is the closest free alternative at 85% similarity. Similar versatile grotesque
Can I use Inter commercially?
Yes, Inter is licensed under OFL-1.1, which permits commercial use without fees.
Is Inter on Google Fonts?
Yes, Inter is available for free on Google Fonts.
Does Core Sans support Cyrillic?
No, Core Sans does not include Cyrillic support. However, Inter does support Cyrillic.
Free Alternatives (2)
How to Use Inter
Copy these code snippets to quickly add Inter to your project.
CSS Import
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter:wght@100..900&display=swap');HTML Link Tags
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter:wght@100..900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">Tailwind CSS
// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
theme: {
extend: {
fontFamily: {
'inter': ['Inter', 'sans-serif'],
},
},
},
}
// Usage in HTML:
// <p class="font-inter">Your text here</p>React / Next.js
// Using next/font (Next.js 13+)
import { Inter } from 'next/font/google';
const inter = Inter({
subsets: ['latin'],
weight: ['100', '200', '300', '400', '500', '600', '700', '800', '900'],
});
export default function Component() {
return (
<p className={inter.className}>
Your text here
</p>
);
}
// Or using inline styles with Google Fonts link:
// <p style={{ fontFamily: "'Inter'" }}>Your text</p>Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Core Sans?
Inter is the best free alternative to Core Sans with 85% similarity. It shares similar proportions and characteristics while being available under the OFL-1.1 license for both personal and commercial use at no cost.
Is there a free version of Core Sans?
There is no official free version of Core Sans. However, Inter is available under the OFL-1.1 open-source license and offers 85% visual similarity. It includes variable weights and supports latin, latin-extended.
What Google Font looks like Core Sans?
The Google Fonts most similar to Core Sans are Inter, Open Sans. Among these alternatives, Inter offers the closest match at 85% similarity with variable weights for flexible typography options.
Can I use Inter commercially?
Yes, Inter can be used commercially. It is licensed under OFL-1.1, which allows free use in websites, applications, print materials, and commercial projects without purchasing a license or paying royalties.
Is Inter similar enough to Core Sans?
Inter achieves 85% similarity to Core Sans. While not identical, it offers comparable letterforms, proportions, and visual style. Most designers find it works excellently as a substitute in web and print projects.
What are the main differences between Core Sans and its free alternatives?
Free alternatives to Core Sans may differ in subtle details like letter spacing, curve refinements, and available weights. Premium fonts typically include more OpenType features, extended language support, and optimized screen rendering. However, for most projects, these differences are negligible.
Where can I download free alternatives to Core Sans?
Download Inter directly from Google Fonts. Click the "Get Font" button on any alternative listed above to visit the official download page. Google Fonts also provides convenient embed codes for seamless web integration.