Font License Guide
Understanding font licenses helps you use free alternatives legally and confidently in your projects.
Is My Use Commercial?
Answer a few questions to find out if free fonts work for your project.
1 Will you generate revenue from this project?
This includes ads, subscriptions, sales, client payments, or donations.
2 What type of product is this?
Select the category that best describes your project.
3 Is this project public-facing?
Will others see or use your project?
4 Will you redistribute the font files?
Redistribution means including the font files in downloads, packages, or sharing them directly.
5 Will you modify the font?
Modification includes changing glyphs, adding characters, or creating a derivative font.
Safe for Commercial Use
All free fonts on FontAlternatives can be used in your project.
Fonts licensed under OFL-1.1, Apache 2.0, UFL, and MIT all permit commercial use. You can use them in websites, apps, print materials, videos, and client work without purchasing a license.
Safe for Personal Use
All free fonts work perfectly for personal projects.
Even without public exposure or revenue, you can freely use any font from Google Fonts or other open-source libraries in your personal projects.
Redistribution Allowed
You can redistribute the font files with proper attribution.
Most open-source font licenses allow redistribution. Include the original license file and copyright notice when distributing. OFL fonts cannot be sold standalone, but can be bundled with software.
Check License Terms
Modified fonts may have copyleft requirements.
OFL and UFL licenses require derivative fonts to use the same license. Apache 2.0 and MIT are more permissive. If you're creating a derivative font, ensure you comply with the original license terms.
OFL derivatives must also use OFL and cannot be sold as standalone font files.
License Comparison
Quick reference for what each license allows. All licenses on this page permit commercial use.
| License | Commercial Use Commercial | Modify Modify | Redistribute Redistribute | Attribution Attribution | Copyleft Copyleft | Sell Font Sell |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OFL | ||||||
| Apache | ||||||
| UFL | ||||||
| Vera | ||||||
| MIT |
License Details
OFL SIL Open Font License
The most common license for free fonts, used by Google Fonts and many independent designers. Over 90% of free fonts use this license.
2.0 Apache License 2.0
A permissive license popular with corporate-backed fonts like Roboto and Noto.
UFL Ubuntu Font License
Created for the Ubuntu font family, similar permissions to OFL with slight differences in attribution requirements.
Vera Bitstream Vera License
A permissive license for the Bitstream Vera fonts and derivatives like DejaVu Sans.
MIT MIT License
The most permissive common license, occasionally used for fonts.
$ Commercial Licenses
Premium fonts from foundries like Adobe, Monotype, and Hoefler&Co require paid licenses.
Always check the specific license terms before using a premium font in your project. Looking for free alternatives? Browse our collection →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Open Font License (OFL) fonts in commercial projects?
Yes! The SIL Open Font License allows free use in commercial projects. You can use OFL fonts in websites, apps, printed materials, and products. The main restriction is that you cannot sell the font files themselves.
Can I use Google Fonts for commercial projects?
Yes, all fonts on Google Fonts are free for commercial use. Most Google Fonts use the SIL Open Font License (OFL), while some like Roboto use Apache 2.0. Both licenses explicitly permit commercial use without fees or attribution requirements for end products.
What counts as commercial use for fonts?
Commercial use includes any project that generates revenue or is created for a paying client. This covers websites with ads, SaaS applications, client work, products for sale, freelance projects, and business marketing materials. Personal blogs and portfolios are typically considered commercial if they have ads or promote paid services.
Do I need a license to use fonts on my website?
Free fonts from Google Fonts, Font Squirrel, and similar sources already include licenses that permit web use. You don't need to purchase additional licenses. However, premium fonts from foundries like Adobe, Monotype, or Hoefler&Co require purchasing separate web licenses, often priced per pageview.
What's the difference between OFL and Apache 2.0 font licenses?
Both licenses allow free commercial use. The key difference is that OFL requires derivative fonts to use the same license and cannot be sold standalone, while Apache 2.0 is more permissive and allows relicensing. For most web projects, both work identically.
Can I use free fonts in a SaaS application?
Yes, fonts licensed under OFL, Apache 2.0, UFL, and MIT can all be used in SaaS applications. You can embed these fonts in your web app without purchasing additional licenses. The fonts are served to users' browsers just like any other web resource.
Do I need to credit the font designer when using free fonts?
It depends on the license and how you're using the font. OFL fonts require attribution only if you redistribute the font files, but not for using them on websites or in designs. Apache 2.0 requires preserving copyright notices in source files. For most website and app usage, no visible attribution is required.
Can I modify OFL-licensed fonts?
Yes, you can modify OFL fonts to add glyphs, adjust spacing, or create entirely new derivative fonts. However, derivatives must also use the OFL license and cannot use the original font's reserved name. Modified fonts cannot be sold as standalone products.
Can I bundle fonts with software I sell?
Yes, OFL and Apache 2.0 fonts can be bundled with commercial software. Include the original license file with your distribution. The key restriction is that OFL fonts cannot be sold as standalone font products—they must be part of a larger software package.
What's the Ubuntu Font License (UFL)?
The Ubuntu Font License is similar to OFL but designed specifically for the Ubuntu font family. It allows free commercial use, modification, and redistribution with attribution. Like OFL, derivative fonts must use the same license and cannot use Ubuntu's reserved names.