Orbitron

Orbitron font preview
Replaces: Vanguard (75%) | OFL-1.1 | Updated: Jan 2026

About Orbitron

Classification
display
Weights
Variable (100-900)
Features
Variable
SIL Open Font License 1.1

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 →
Get Orbitron Free ↗

Orbitron is a geometric sans-serif display typeface designed by Matt McInerney. Released in 2009, it features a futuristic, space-age aesthetic with strictly geometric construction and distinctive letterforms.

History and Design

Matt McInerney designed Orbitron as a tribute to the geometric typography of the space age and science fiction. The design features perfectly circular bowls, straight lines, and sharp angles that create a distinctly futuristic appearance. Every letter adheres to strict geometric principles, giving the typeface a mechanical, technological character.

Why Orbitron is Popular

Orbitron has become the go-to free font for sci-fi and technology themes. It serves as a free alternative to premium futuristic display fonts used in gaming, space-themed projects, and tech branding. Its distinctive character makes an immediate visual statement without requiring custom lettering.

Technical Features

  • Variable font: Weight axis from Regular (400) to Black (900)
  • Strict geometry: Perfectly circular and linear forms
  • All caps design: Optimized for uppercase with lowercase available
  • No italics: Geometric forms don't lend to slanting
  • Extended Latin: Support for European languages

Best Use Cases

Orbitron excels in:

  • Sci-fi projects: Movie titles, game interfaces, book covers
  • Tech branding: Futuristic technology companies
  • Space themes: Astronomy, aerospace, NASA-style projects
  • Gaming: HUD elements, score displays, menus
  • Event branding: Tech conferences and futuristic events

Usage Tips

Use Orbitron for headlines and display text at 24px+. The geometric forms work best in all caps for maximum impact. Avoid for body text—the strict geometry creates reading fatigue. Pairs well with neutral sans-serifs like Roboto for supporting text. Weight 700-900 creates dramatic headlines while 400-500 works for smaller labels. Add letter-spacing for improved readability in UI contexts.

Alternative For (1)

Orbitron is a free alternative to the following premium fonts:

#1 Vanguard 75%
[Typodermic] · sans-serif

Comparable tech aesthetic

View all alternatives →

How to Use Orbitron

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

CSS Import

@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Orbitron: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=Orbitron:wght@100..900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">

Tailwind CSS

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

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

React / Next.js

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

const orbitron = Orbitron({
  subsets: ['latin'],
  weight: ['100', '200', '300', '400', '500', '600', '700', '800', '900'],
});

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

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