Open Sans Used As Body Text
| Element | Weight | Size | Line Height | Letter Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Text | Regular | 16px | 24px | 0.5px |
| Italicized | Regular Italic | 16px | 24px | 0.5px |
| Bold | Bold | 16px | 24px | 0.5px |
| Small Caps | Regular | 16px | 24px | 0.5px |
| Secondary Text | Medium | 13px | 16px | 0.5px |
Steve Matteson
sans-serif
92
12
Op
Open Sans
.example-class {font-family: 'Open Sans';}
Open Sans
Light
Medium
SemiBold
Bold
ExtraBold
Open Sans is classified as a sans-serif font, characterized by clean lines and the absence of decorative elements at the ends of strokes.
Display
Handwriting
Monospace
Sans-serif
Serif
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) + =
Open Sans Used As Heading Examples
| Hierarchy | Weight | Size | Line Height | Letter Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heading Level 1 | Bold | 64px | 64px | 0px |
| Heading Level 2 | SemiBold | 48px | 64px | 0px |
| Heading Level 3 | Medium | 32px | 48px | 0.5px |
| Heading Level 4 | Regular | 24px | 32px | 0.5px |
| Heading Level 5 | Regular | 16px | 24px | 0.5px |
| Heading Level 6 | Medium | 13px | 16px | 0.5px |
Fonts Similar to Open Sans
CSS Code Examples
.example-class { font-family: 'Open Sans'; }- Standard CSS Utilization: Applying the font-family directly to a CSS class for immediate use.
// SCSS Variable $example-class-font-family: 'Open Sans'; .example-class { font-family: $example-class-font-family; }- SCSS Variable: Defining the font-family in a variable for reuse across multiple styles, simplifying maintenance and updates.
// Tailwind CSS .example-class { @apply font-open-sans-sans-serif; }- Tailwind CSS Implementation: Using Tailwind CSS utility classes provides a consistent and streamlined way to apply styles, leveraging Tailwind's utility-first approach.
Open Sans's Details
Open Sans is a humanist sans-serif typeface. Open Sans, designed by Steve Matteson and commissioned by Google, was released in 2011. Open Sans features a clean and modern appearance. The typeface offers excellent readability because of its open forms and a neutral yet friendly demeanor. Its design includes upright stress, open letterforms, and a neutral, yet approachable appearance. Open Sans includes five weights, from light to extra bold, with matching italics. The typeface supports a wide range of languages and scripts, making it versatile for global use. It’s optimized for print, web, and mobile interfaces. The extensive character set includes standard Latin characters, Greek, and Cyrillic, along with several diacritical marks. It’s frequently used in web design because of its legibility at various sizes and on different screens. Many companies and organizations use Open Sans for their websites, branding, and user interfaces. For example, it's often seen in body text, headings, and user interface elements, providing a clear and readable experience. The font's neutrality makes it suitable for various contexts, from corporate to casual settings. Open Sans has been praised for its versatility and comprehensive support for different languages. The typeface maintains clarity and legibility, even at small sizes, which is crucial for user experience on digital platforms. Its wide spacing and tall x-height contribute to its readability. The font includes stylistic alternates and old-style figures, which add to its flexibility in design. It also has a matching monospaced variant, Open Sans Condensed, which provides a more compact option while retaining the original's characteristics. The open-source nature of Open Sans allows for broad usage and adaptation, contributing to its popularity. In summary, Open Sans is a versatile, readable, and widely used typeface, suitable for various digital and print applications. The combination of modern design, extensive language support, and adaptable use cases makes it a staple in contemporary typography.
Accessibility Overview for Open Sans
Open Sans is a humanist sans-serif typeface designed by Steve Matteson. It is known for its wide apertures, large x-height, and clean, modern appearance. The font embodies simplicity and clarity, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Open Sans is commonly used for both digital and print media, including web design, mobile applications, and various types of documents.Open Sans's Legibility
Open Sans is highly legible, thanks to its wide apertures and large x-height, which make it suitable for small sizes and screens. The spacing and character differentiation contribute to its legibility, ensuring that each letter is easily distinguishable, even at smaller sizes.Open Sans's Readability
In terms of readability, Open Sans performs well in various contexts. It is suitable for long text passages, captions, and digital displays, maintaining clarity and legibility across different mediums. The font's open forms and neutral appearance contribute to its readability, making it an excellent choice for conveying information effectively.Open Sans's Visual Fatigue and Adaptability
Open Sans demonstrates adaptability across different devices and language scripts, ensuring consistent legibility and aesthetic appeal. However, extensive reading in this font may lead to visual fatigue due to its uniformity. Careful consideration of font size and contrast ratios is essential to mitigate this effect and ensure optimal readability, particularly for extended reading periods.Open Sans Accessibility Recommendations
To enhance accessibility, it is recommended to pay attention to contrast ratios and font sizes when using Open Sans. Ensuring sufficient contrast between the font and background is crucial for readability, especially for users with visual impairments. Additionally, utilizing appropriate font sizes for different applications and user groups is essential to improve accessibility and user experience.Best Practices for Using Open Sans
When using Open Sans in design, it is important to consider its versatility and legibility. For body text, a font size of 16px or larger is recommended to enhance readability, particularly for digital content. When pairing Open Sans with other typefaces, consider complementary fonts that maintain visual harmony and readability. Additionally, utilizing different font weights and styles within the Open Sans family can create visual interest and hierarchy in design layouts.License Type
Open Sans is under the Apache License, Version 2.0. This license allows free use of the font. You can use, modify, and distribute Open Sans. There's no need to pay or get special permission.
When you use or share Open Sans, you must include a copy of the Apache License. This ensures others know their rights. Modifying the font is also allowed. If you make changes, document them. This helps others see what's been altered.
You can't use trademarks related to Open Sans without permission. This helps protect the original creators' brand. The license also limits liability. If something goes wrong with the font, the creators aren't responsible.
In projects, you can embed Open Sans. Websites, apps, and documents can all use it. For commercial purposes, the font is still free to use. Advertising, products, and other commercial ventures can benefit from it.
Open Sans is versatile. It fits personal and professional needs. The license ensures it stays accessible. This makes it a popular choice for many projects.
Language Support
Open Sans is a versatile font that supports a wide range of languages, including most Latin-based languages, Greek, and Cyrillic scripts, making it suitable for multilingual projects and global applications.
Download Weights & Variants
300
regular
500
600
700
800
300 italic
italic
500 italic
600 italic
700 italic
800 italic