Free Alternatives to Recursive Mono
About Recursive Mono
- Foundry
- Arrow Type
- Classification
- mono
- Style
- variable
Recursive Mono is a professional monospaced typeface from Arrow Type. Built specifically for code editors and terminal applications, Recursive Mono offers excellent legibility at small sizes with distinctive character differentiation. Features like slashed zeros and clear distinctions between similar characters (1, l, I) make it a favorite among developers.
Why People Replace Recursive Mono
- Licensing cost: Recursive Mono requires a paid license from Arrow 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
JetBrains Mono is the closest free match at 82% similarity.
Similar modern mono
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Recursive Mono | JetBrains Mono |
|---|---|---|
| License | Paid | OFL-1.1 |
| Weights | Multiple | Variable (100-900) |
| Variable | No | Yes |
| Cyrillic | No | Yes |
| Source | Arrow Type | Google Fonts |
FAQ
Is Recursive Mono free?
No, Recursive Mono is a premium font from Arrow Type. The best free alternative is JetBrains Mono.
What is the best free alternative to Recursive Mono?
JetBrains Mono is the closest free alternative at 82% similarity. Similar modern mono
Can I use JetBrains Mono commercially?
Yes, JetBrains Mono is licensed under OFL-1.1, which permits commercial use without fees.
Is JetBrains Mono on Google Fonts?
Yes, JetBrains Mono is available for free on Google Fonts.
Does Recursive Mono support Cyrillic?
No, Recursive Mono does not include Cyrillic support. However, JetBrains Mono does support Cyrillic.
Free Alternatives (2)
How to Use JetBrains Mono
Copy these code snippets to quickly add JetBrains Mono to your project.
CSS Import
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=JetBrains+Mono: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=JetBrains+Mono:wght@100..900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">Tailwind CSS
// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
theme: {
extend: {
fontFamily: {
'jetbrains-mono': ['"JetBrains Mono"', 'sans-serif'],
},
},
},
}
// Usage in HTML:
// <p class="font-jetbrains-mono">Your text here</p>React / Next.js
// Using next/font (Next.js 13+)
import { JetBrains_Mono } from 'next/font/google';
const jetbrains_mono = JetBrains_Mono({
subsets: ['latin'],
weight: ['100', '200', '300', '400', '500', '600', '700', '800', '900'],
});
export default function Component() {
return (
<p className={jetbrains_mono.className}>
Your text here
</p>
);
}
// Or using inline styles with Google Fonts link:
// <p style={{ fontFamily: '"JetBrains Mono"' }}>Your text</p>Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Recursive Mono?
JetBrains Mono is the best free alternative to Recursive Mono with 82% 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 Recursive Mono?
There is no official free version of Recursive Mono. However, JetBrains Mono is available under the OFL-1.1 open-source license and offers 82% visual similarity. It includes variable weights and supports latin, latin-extended.
What Google Font looks like Recursive Mono?
The Google Fonts most similar to Recursive Mono are JetBrains Mono, Fira Code. Among these alternatives, JetBrains Mono offers the closest match at 82% similarity with variable weights for flexible typography options.
Can I use JetBrains Mono commercially?
Yes, JetBrains Mono 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 JetBrains Mono similar enough to Recursive Mono?
JetBrains Mono achieves 82% similarity to Recursive Mono. 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 Recursive Mono and its free alternatives?
Free alternatives to Recursive Mono 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 Recursive Mono?
Download JetBrains Mono 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.