EB Garamond
About EB Garamond
- Source
- Google Fonts ↗
- Classification
- serif
- Weights
- Variable (100-900)
- Features
- Variable, Italics
Free to use, modify, and distribute. Can be used commercially without attribution.
What's allowed?
- ✓ Client work
- ✓ SaaS / Web apps
- ✓ YouTube / Video
- ✓ Sell products
- ✓ Print materials
Note: Derivative fonts must use the same license.
Full license guide →EB Garamond is an open-source revival of Claude Garamont's famous humanist typefaces from the mid-16th century. Designed by Georg Duffner and Octavio Pardo, it represents one of the most faithful and scholarly Garamond revivals available, based on original sources at the Plantin-Moretus Museum.
History and Design
Georg Duffner began the EB Garamond project in 2010, naming it after the Égenolff-Berner specimen sheet of 1592, which showcases many of Garamont's original designs. Unlike commercial Garamond revivals that often incorporate later modifications, EB Garamond aims to faithfully reproduce the original 16th-century punches.
The italic designs are based on the work of Robert Granjon, Garamont's contemporary and collaborator. This pairing accurately reflects how the original types were used in period printing.
Why EB Garamond Stands Out
EB Garamond distinguishes itself through scholarly rigor and authentic historical character. The project involved extensive research into original specimens and punches, resulting in a revival that captures the subtle irregularities and warmth of hand-cut type. The extensive character set includes polytonic Greek, Cyrillic, and Vietnamese.
Technical Features
- Variable font: Full weight range from regular to extra bold
- True italics: Based on Robert Granjon's original designs
- Extensive language support: Latin, Cyrillic, Greek (including polytonic)
- OpenType features: Small caps, ligatures, old-style figures
- Historical accuracy: Based on 16th-century specimens
Best Use Cases
EB Garamond excels in:
- Book design: Literary fiction, poetry, and classical texts
- Academic publishing: Dissertations, journals, and scholarly monographs
- Editorial design: Long-form articles and feature content
- Multilingual documents: Exceptional Greek and Cyrillic support
Usage Tips
EB Garamond reads best at 10-12pt for body text. Use the regular weight for extended reading and reserve heavier weights for emphasis. The old-style figures blend naturally with running text. Enable ligatures for the most authentic appearance. For display use, consider Cormorant Garamond's higher contrast instead.
Alternative For (22)
EB Garamond is a free alternative to the following premium fonts:
Similar transitional character with refined details for book design
Classic formal alternative (different style but similar use)
Exceptional revival based on Claude Garamont's original 16th-century designs
Shares classical elegance though as a serif, captures Optima's refined spirit
How to Use EB Garamond
Copy these code snippets to quickly add EB Garamond to your project.
CSS Import
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=EB+Garamond: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=EB+Garamond:wght@100..900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">Tailwind CSS
// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
theme: {
extend: {
fontFamily: {
'eb-garamond': ['"EB Garamond"', 'sans-serif'],
},
},
},
}
// Usage in HTML:
// <p class="font-eb-garamond">Your text here</p>React / Next.js
// Using next/font (Next.js 13+)
import { EB_Garamond } from 'next/font/google';
const eb_garamond = EB_Garamond({
subsets: ['latin'],
weight: ['100', '200', '300', '400', '500', '600', '700', '800', '900'],
});
export default function Component() {
return (
<p className={eb_garamond.className}>
Your text here
</p>
);
}
// Or using inline styles with Google Fonts link:
// <p style={{ fontFamily: '"EB Garamond"' }}>Your text</p>