Free Alternatives to Harriet

Harriet font preview
Best match: Merriweather (85%) | Updated: Jan 2026

About Harriet

Foundry
Okay Type
Classification
serif
Style
editorial

Harriet is a refined serif typeface from Okay Type. Drawing from classical typography traditions while incorporating contemporary refinements, Harriet excels in editorial design, book publishing, and premium branding. Its well-balanced proportions and elegant stroke contrast ensure excellent readability in long-form text.

Why People Replace Harriet

  • Licensing cost: Harriet requires a paid license from Okay Type
  • Per-seat pricing: Most premium fonts charge per user or device
  • No variable font: Requires purchasing multiple weights separately
  • Limited language support: May not cover all required scripts
  • Web font licensing: Additional fees for web embedding

Best Free Alternative

Merriweather is the closest free match at 85% similarity.

Excellent editorial alternative

Quick Comparison

FeatureHarrietMerriweather
LicensePaidOFL-1.1
WeightsMultiple4 weights
VariableNoNo
CyrillicNoYes
SourceOkay TypeGoogle Fonts

FAQ

Is Harriet free?

No, Harriet is a premium font from Okay Type. The best free alternative is Merriweather.

What is the best free alternative to Harriet?

Merriweather is the closest free alternative at 85% similarity. Excellent editorial alternative

Can I use Merriweather commercially?

Yes, Merriweather is licensed under OFL-1.1, which permits commercial use without fees.

Is Merriweather on Google Fonts?

Yes, Merriweather is available for free on Google Fonts.

Does Harriet support Cyrillic?

No, Harriet does not include Cyrillic support. However, Merriweather does support Cyrillic.

Free Alternatives (2)

[Google Fonts] · OFL-1.1 · 4 weights

Excellent editorial alternative

Get Font ↗
#2 Lora 80%
[Google Fonts] · OFL-1.1 · Variable

Similar warm readable serif

Get Font ↗

How to Use Merriweather

Copy these code snippets to quickly add Merriweather to your project.

CSS Import

@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Merriweather:wght@300;400;700;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=Merriweather:wght@300;400;700;900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">

Tailwind CSS

// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
  theme: {
    extend: {
      fontFamily: {
        'merriweather': ['Merriweather', 'sans-serif'],
      },
    },
  },
}

// Usage in HTML:
// <p class="font-merriweather">Your text here</p>

React / Next.js

// Using next/font (Next.js 13+)
import { Merriweather } from 'next/font/google';

const merriweather = Merriweather({
  subsets: ['latin'],
  weight: ['300', '400', '700', '900'],
});

export default function Component() {
  return (
    <p className={merriweather.className}>
      Your text here
    </p>
  );
}

// Or using inline styles with Google Fonts link:
// <p style={{ fontFamily: "'Merriweather'" }}>Your text</p>

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free alternative to Harriet?

Merriweather is the best free alternative to Harriet 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 Harriet?

There is no official free version of Harriet. However, Merriweather is available under the OFL-1.1 open-source license and offers 85% visual similarity. It includes 4 weights and supports latin, latin-extended.

What Google Font looks like Harriet?

The Google Fonts most similar to Harriet are Merriweather, Lora. Among these alternatives, Merriweather offers the closest match at 85% similarity with 4 weights for design flexibility.

Can I use Merriweather commercially?

Yes, Merriweather 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 Merriweather similar enough to Harriet?

Merriweather achieves 85% similarity to Harriet. 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 Harriet and its free alternatives?

Free alternatives to Harriet 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 Harriet?

Download Merriweather 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.