Free Alternatives to Tahoma
About Tahoma
- Foundry
- Microsoft
- Classification
- sans-serif
- Style
- humanist
Tahoma is a versatile sans-serif typeface from Microsoft. With its clean lines and modern geometric proportions, Tahoma 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. The humanist influence brings warmth and approachability, making text more inviting and easier to read at length.
Design Philosophy
Tahoma 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 Tahoma
- Licensing cost: Tahoma requires a paid license from Microsoft
- 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
DejaVu Sans is the closest free match at 90% similarity.
Nearly identical screen-optimized character
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Tahoma | DejaVu Sans |
|---|---|---|
| License | Paid | Bitstream-Vera |
| Weights | Multiple | 2 weights |
| Variable | No | No |
| Cyrillic | Yes | Yes |
| Source | Microsoft | open-font-library |
FAQ
Is Tahoma free?
No, Tahoma is a premium font from Microsoft. The best free alternative is DejaVu Sans.
What is the best free alternative to Tahoma?
DejaVu Sans is the closest free alternative at 90% similarity. Nearly identical screen-optimized character
Can I use DejaVu Sans commercially?
Yes, DejaVu Sans is licensed under Bitstream-Vera, which permits commercial use without fees.
Is DejaVu Sans on Google Fonts?
DejaVu Sans is available from open-font-library.
Does Tahoma support Cyrillic?
Yes, Tahoma includes Cyrillic character support.
Free Alternatives (2)
Nearly identical screen-optimized character
How to Use DejaVu Sans
Copy these code snippets to quickly add DejaVu Sans to your project.
CSS Import
/* Download from: https://dejavu-fonts.github.io/ */
@font-face {
font-family: "DejaVu Sans";
src: url('/fonts/dejavu-sans.woff2') format('woff2');
font-display: swap;
}HTML Link Tags
<!-- Download from: https://dejavu-fonts.github.io/ -->
<link href="/fonts/dejavu-sans.css" rel="stylesheet">Tailwind CSS
// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
theme: {
extend: {
fontFamily: {
'dejavu-sans': ['"DejaVu Sans"', 'sans-serif'],
},
},
},
}
// Usage in HTML:
// <p class="font-dejavu-sans">Your text here</p>React / Next.js
// Import the font CSS in your _app.js or layout
import '/fonts/dejavu-sans.css';
export default function Component() {
return (
<p style={{ fontFamily: '"DejaVu Sans"' }}>
Your text here
</p>
);
}Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Tahoma?
DejaVu Sans is the best free alternative to Tahoma with 90% similarity. It shares similar proportions and characteristics while being available under the Bitstream-Vera license for both personal and commercial use at no cost.
Is there a free version of Tahoma?
There is no official free version of Tahoma. However, DejaVu Sans is available under the Bitstream-Vera open-source license and offers 90% visual similarity. It includes 2 weights and supports latin, latin-extended.
What Google Font looks like Tahoma?
The Google Fonts most similar to Tahoma are Open Sans. Among these alternatives, Open Sans offers the closest match at 82% similarity with variable weights for flexible typography options.
Can I use DejaVu Sans commercially?
Yes, DejaVu Sans can be used commercially. It is licensed under Bitstream-Vera, which allows free use in websites, applications, print materials, and commercial projects without purchasing a license or paying royalties.
Is DejaVu Sans similar enough to Tahoma?
DejaVu Sans achieves 90% similarity to Tahoma. 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 Tahoma and its free alternatives?
Free alternatives to Tahoma 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 Tahoma?
Download DejaVu Sans directly from open-font-library. 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.