Free Alternatives to Lobster Two
About Lobster Two
- Foundry
- Impallari Type
- Classification
- display
- Style
- script
Commonly Seen In
Lobster Two is a refined script typeface designed by Pablo Impallari as a companion to the immensely popular original Lobster font. Released through Impallari Type, Lobster Two offers a lighter, more refined interpretation of the casual script aesthetic that made Lobster one of the most-used free fonts on the web.
History and Design
Pablo Impallari created the original Lobster in 2010 as part of Google Fonts' early expansion, where it quickly became one of the platform's most popular display faces. Lobster Two followed as a lighter alternative, offering designers a more delicate option within the same design language.
The design draws inspiration from 1960s American advertising scripts—the kind that appeared on bowling alleys, diners, and automotive dealerships. Lobster Two captures this nostalgic warmth while maintaining contemporary legibility and smooth digital curves.
The Lobster Family
The Lobster family represents an interesting case study in open-source typography. The original Lobster became so ubiquitous (critics sometimes called it "the new Comic Sans") that many designers actively avoid it. Lobster Two offers a more refined option that reads as sophisticated while maintaining the family's approachable character.
Why Lobster Two Matters
Lobster Two demonstrates how script typefaces can balance personality with practicality. Its connected letterforms create flowing rhythm, while its refined weight keeps text legible at various sizes. The design succeeds because it knows when to restrain its script flourishes.
Use Cases
Lobster Two excels in:
- Food and beverage branding: Cafes, bakeries, restaurants
- Logo design: Casual, approachable brand marks
- Packaging: Products targeting nostalgia or comfort
- Signage: Welcoming, informal messaging
Finding Free Alternatives
Pacifico offers a similarly casual script with a distinct surf-culture personality. The original Lobster remains freely available on Google Fonts for those wanting the bolder, original interpretation. Both alternatives capture the friendly, retro script aesthetic that defines the Lobster family.
FAQ
What is the best free alternative to Lobster Two?
Pacifico is an excellent free alternative to Lobster Two, offering a casual connected script with surf-inspired retro character. Designed by Vernon Adams for Google Fonts, Pacifico provides similar friendly personality with distinct flavor. For exact Lobster aesthetics, the original Lobster font is also freely available on Google Fonts.
Can I use Pacifico commercially?
Yes, Pacifico is licensed under the SIL Open Font License (OFL-1.1), permitting unlimited commercial use without licensing fees. You can use it freely for websites, applications, print materials, branding, packaging, and products. The license allows modification and redistribution, only requiring attribution when redistributing the font files.
How similar is Pacifico to Lobster Two?
Pacifico achieves approximately 80% similarity to Lobster Two in capturing the casual script display aesthetic. Both share connected letterforms, retro personality, and friendly character. Pacifico has a distinct surf-culture vibe compared to Lobster Two's more general retro American feel, but both serve similar design purposes.
What are the main differences between Lobster Two and Pacifico?
Lobster Two features more uniform stroke weights and a refined, upright construction derived from 1960s signage. Pacifico has more exaggerated letterform connections and a distinctly laid-back, surf-culture personality. Lobster Two works for broad retro applications; Pacifico suits beach, casual, and lifestyle contexts specifically.
Where can I download Pacifico for free?
Pacifico is available for free download from Google Fonts at fonts.google.com/specimen/Pacifico. The font includes a single Regular weight optimized for display use. Google Fonts provides easy CSS embedding and download options for desktop use. The original Lobster is also available at fonts.google.com/specimen/Lobster.
Free Alternatives (2)
The original Lobster, available free on Google Fonts with bolder weight
Casual script with surf-inspired retro aesthetic and excellent readability
Weight-Matching Guide
Map Lobster Two weights to their closest free alternatives for accurate font substitution.
Pacifico
| Lobster Two | Pacifico | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | Regular (400) | close |
How to Use Lobster
Copy these code snippets to quickly add Lobster to your project.
CSS Import
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Lobster:wght@400&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=Lobster:wght@400&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">Tailwind CSS
// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
theme: {
extend: {
fontFamily: {
'lobster': ['Lobster', 'sans-serif'],
},
},
},
}
// Usage in HTML:
// <p class="font-lobster">Your text here</p>React / Next.js
// Using next/font (Next.js 13+)
import { Lobster } from 'next/font/google';
const lobster = Lobster({
subsets: ['latin'],
weight: ['400'],
});
export default function Component() {
return (
<p className={lobster.className}>
Your text here
</p>
);
}
// Or using inline styles with Google Fonts link:
// <p style={{ fontFamily: "'Lobster'" }}>Your text</p>Recommended Font Pairings
These free fonts pair well with Lobster Lobster Two for headlines, body text, or accent use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Lobster Two?
Lobster is the best free alternative to Lobster Two with 95% 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 Lobster Two?
There is no official free version of Lobster Two. However, Lobster is available under the OFL-1.1 open-source license and offers 95% visual similarity. It includes 1 weights and supports latin, latin-extended.
What Google Font looks like Lobster Two?
The Google Fonts most similar to Lobster Two are Lobster, Pacifico. Among these alternatives, Lobster offers the closest match at 95% similarity with 1 weights for design flexibility.
Can I use Lobster commercially?
Yes, Lobster 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 Lobster similar enough to Lobster Two?
Lobster achieves 95% similarity to Lobster Two. 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 Lobster Two and its free alternatives?
Free alternatives to Lobster Two 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 Lobster Two?
Download Lobster 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.