Sans Serif Font Identification Aid/Guide
Sans Serif Font Identification Aid/Guide
This Font Identification Aid/Guide is a tool to help narrow down the possible choices of Sans Serif type faces that meet certain stylistic characteristics. These typefaces are also called "Gothic", "Grotesque" (or Grotesk) or "Lineales" (or Lineals). I have emphasized Text (T) typefaces, but have also included many Handlettered (H) and Display (D) typefaces that are also sans serif faces. I will expand the number of faces covered as I have time, but the current set is over 800 type families and should prove useful. When you consider that each family could include various weights and condensed versions, this number of families might easily equate to 3,200 individual fonts or more.
I have recently updated this Aid to Guide status, with the addition of pictures of certain key letters. The seven letters (a, e, g, G, M, R, and y) used for the Style Codes, and several additional letters to help with identification. The standard sample will be "MRS Wilfy C Gadget Jr", so there will be 17 letters out of the possible 52. Numerals are not included. The reason for using this 17-character sample is to keep the loading times short by keeping the samples simple, while using helpful letters for identification. I will continue to add samples as I am able to make or obtain them. (Sample donors are welcome, but I am only asking for graphics images, not the fonts. See the list of WANTED fonts, that need samples for this Guide.)
My Special Thanks to 'elaine' and 'Per Etz', sample donors extraordinaire, who have provided many of the font samples in this Guide, as well as in the Script Font Guide. Also many thanks to Victor De Castro of Unifonts, 'Apostrophe' of The Lab, and Rod Cavazos of Psy/Ops who all donated many samples. Such generous help, from these people and others, has made these Guides much more complete than I could have done on my own.
I have focused on Text types, because I think these are the hardest to distinguish from each other. For the purposes of this tool "Text" means that letterforms are relatively conventional and not usually intended to attract attention (ignore letter weight, and just look at the shapes of letters). They can be used in long settings of text in a book or magazine and not seem difficult to read. In my definition "Display" typefaces are those with distortions to lettershapes that are intended to make the type distinctive and noticeable. Compresssed or very wide typefaces belong in this category only if they do not have a "normal" width. "Handlettered" (or Hand-printed) typefaces will look somewhat irregular, as if done by hand using a pen or brush. (Script types are not included - that's a separate Guide topic. See Script Font ID Guide.)
Sometimes you may notice that the same font will be shown with more than one code. This is done when I think the choice of character is not clear, so I choose both possibilities. This will make it easier for anyone to use the Aid, even if they don't quite see it the same as I do.
How to use this Font Identification Aid
You only need to have a sample with the following seven letters to use this Font Identification Aid: a, e, g, G, M, R and y.
There are two tables used to help characterize a typeface in this Identification Aid. The first uses pairs of the letters a & e and g & G to get the first Style Code. Decide which letterform combinations match most closely with the sample and note the corresponding Style Code number from the table. With the G, the key feature is the "chin" - I show five variations. There are only two variations you need to identify in the other three letters.
The second table uses the combinations of the letters a & R and M & y to give the second Style Code. You will note four variations in the R (the "leg" shape and position is key) and the M (the "crotch" position and "leg" angle are keys). There are only two variations to recognize in the letters a and y (whether their "tails" are straight or curved).
Using these two Style Codes, use Table 3 to look up the possible typefaces with these characteristics. [In order to shorten page loading times, Table 3 is in eleven Parts, determined by the 1st Style Code, which you will find in Table 1. Page 11 is for fonts that are unconventional, with no upper case, or no lower case, or a mix that omits some of the usual diagnostic letters for the style codes. In such cases the letters used for the codes will be shown, and the first applicable row/column values will be used (shown by color-coded squares). NOTE: Table 1 has links to the other pages where those Parts of Table 3 are displayed. Links for this page are inactive.] You will need a way to know what these typefaces look like when there is no graphic (yet) - that's why this is called an "Aid/Guide" - and then be able to identify the typeface based on the more subtle features of each typeface. (See the "Bauhaus-style" Font Identification Guide, for an example of a Bowfin Font ID Guide.)
How to find similar typefaces
If you know a font's name and want to see if there are other fonts with similar characteristics, possibly to use as substitutes, you can look up the font name in the Sans Alpha List, which is a tab-delimited text file arranged in alphabetical order of the font names, rather than in order of the Style Codes. This list is also useful if you suspect that a font may be the one you are trying to identify, but you don't know where to find it for comparison. Once you find out the Style Codes, then you can use the links in Table 1 on Page 1 to go to the page that has those Style Codes.
Free Font Identification Service - If you ever see a "mystery" typeface used somewhere that you would like identified, just send me a sample, or send me the URL of a website that uses the typeface, and I will try to tell you the name of the typeface and where you can buy it. e-mail me your font ID question
Table 1
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All
Caps |
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12
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| All Lower Case |
Table 1 Assumptions:
Assume e is angled type if bar is not completely straight.
Assume g is "2-bowl" type if tail is not simple curve.
Table 2
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All
Caps |
|
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1
|
2
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3
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4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
MR1 - MR4 |
 |
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
MR9 - MR12 |
 |
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
MR17 - MR20 |
 |
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
32
|
MR25 - MR28 |
 |
33
|
34
|
35
|
36
|
37
|
38
|
39
|
40
|
|
 |
41
|
42
|
43
|
44
|
45
|
46
|
47
|
48
|
|
 |
49
|
50
|
51
|
52
|
53
|
54
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55
|
56
|
|
 |
57
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58
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59
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60
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61
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62
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63
|
64
|
|
| All Lower Case |
ay1
or ay33 |
ay5
or ay37 |
Table 2 Assumptions:
NOTE: Treat single-level a the same as letter a with curved tail.
Assume tail of an a or y is straight, unless it is obvious that it is not.
Assume M legs are not angled, unless it is obvious that they are.
Assume straight-legged R is the first type, unless it is obviously the second type.
Assume curved-legged R is fourth type, unless flip at baseline is obvious.
Table 3 (Part 5 - 1st Style Code 12 Only)
| Font name (Supplier) | Font Class | 1st Style Code | 2nd Style Code |
Sample |
Notes |
| Shinn (RR) | T | 12 | 4 |
 |
|
| Numskill (FB) | D | 12 | 5 |
 |
sharp variation in stroke thickness |
| Nortel Networks Primary | T | 12 | 6 |
 |
also has a semibold version; has serif on i, d and l |
| Pescara (T26) | T | 12 | 7 |
 |
I has serifs; l is curved; small hook on tail of y |
| Giacomo (TD) | T | 12 | 10 |
 |
|
| Havanna (E+F) | H | 12 | 10 |
 |
|
| Adroit Condensed (URW) | T | 12 | 13 |
 |
|
| Albany (MT) | T | 12 | 13 |
 |
|
| Grotesque 1 (MT) | T | 12 | 13 |
 |
|
| Reykjavik One (Psy) | T | 12 | 13 |
 |
slight tail on a; oblong letterforms for rounded letters |
| Roxy (FB) | T | 12 | 13 |
 |
|
| Venus (BE/URW/LL) | T | 12 | 13 |
 |
|
| Vonness (FB) | T | 12 | 13 |
 |
|
| Accent Graphic (G-Type) | D/T | 12 | 14 |
 |
|
| Anomaly (Alias) | T | 12 | 14 |
 |
|
| HPSans (Hewlett-Packard) | T | 12 | 16 |
 |
curved l; y with curved bowl; tails of g, j & y taper at tip |
| Officina Sans (IT) | T | 12 | 16 |
 |
I, J, i, j have serifs; curved l |
| Maxima (URW) | T | 12 | 18 |
 |
|
| Olympia (E+F) | T | 12 | 19 |
 |
|
| Doric (AD) | T | 12 | 25 |
 |
|
| Dyadis (IT) | T | 12 | 26 |
 |
semiserif face; E like reverse 3 |
| Arial (MT) | T | 12 | 29 |
 |
|
| Swingbill (BB/AG) | D | 12 | 29 |
 |
squared; M,W like lower case |
| Modula Sans (EM) | D | 12 | 31 |
 |
Semiserif |
| Lance (FF) | T | 12 | 33 |
 |
Compressed font |
| Zacron (TF) | D | 12 | 33 |
 |
g looks like G with long 'beard' |
| Zacron Alt (TF) | D | 12 | 33 |
 |
g is more conventional |
| Cachet (PN/AG) | T | 12 | 34 |
 |
|
| Grange (TF) | T | 12 | 34 |
 |
|
| Hoffmann (FB) | D | 12 | 34 |
 |
bowls open on most letters |
| Seven Sans (ICG) | D | 12 | 34 |
 |
Uneven strokes |
| Tempo (AD) | T | 12 | 34 |
 |
|
| Agency (FB) | D | 12 | 35 |
 |
Squared letters |
| Cafeteria (FB) | H | 12 | 35 |
 |
|
| Tahoma Bold (MS/Ascend) | T | 12 | 35 |  |
Serif on J |
| Atlantis (LL) | H | 12 | 36 |
 |
|
| Audrey (UT) | D | 12 | 36 |
 |
Squared; some strokes longer than others, like overshoot |
| Flux Bold (T26) | T | 12 | 37 |
 |
T26(17); curved l; rounded bowl on y; B,D with round bottom |
| Rotis Semiserif (AG) | T | 12 | 37 |
 |
|
| Vellve (AG) | T | 12 | 37 |
 |
|
| Eras (IT) | T | 12 | 38 |
 |
|
| Gotham Condensed (HTF) | T | 12 | 39 |
 |
R taken as type 1 for Med & Bold weights only (Light & Book are T12-47) |
| Govan (FF) | T | 12 | 39 |
 |
curved l; very short descenders; Govan One, Two and Three are successively wider fonts (Govan Three shown); Govan Alt is T10-7 |
| Granby Elephant (BE) | T | 12 | 39 |
 |
|
| OCR A (AD) | D | 12 | 39 |
 |
|
| OCR F (FF) | T | 12 | 39 |
 |
Curved l |
| Cartonnage Roman (FF) | D/T | 12 | 41 |
 |
Slightly grunged letters |
| Corbel (MS) | T | 12 | 41 |
 |
|
| Galaxie Polaris (TH) | T | 12 | 41 |
 |
Comes in 5 weights, each with italic |
|
Shannon (AG) |
T | 12 | 41 |
 |
ignored slight M splaying; C, G, c ear-shaped |
| Stag Sans (Village) | T | 12 | 41 |
 |
|
| Esseltube (BB/AG) | T | 12 | 42 |
 |
|
| Tabard (E+F) | T | 12 | 42 |
 |
|
| Armchair Modern (Psy) | D | 12 | 43 |
 |
comes in 5 weights; alternate C, E, F, G, I, J, M, N, Q, W, X, Y; three number 1 variants. See D4-47 for Regular U&lc characters. |
| Battery (Brassfonts) | D | 12 | 43 |
 |
squared; e like c with bar; top of g open |
| Corpa Gothic (Brassfonts) | T | 12 | 43 |
 |
oblong counters |
| OCR B (AD) | T | 12 | 43 |
 |
y has slight curve to tail see also D12-47 |
| Tahoma (MS/Acend) | T | 12 | 43 |  |
Serif on J |
| Verdana (MS) | T | 12 | 43 |
 |
Condesned version is called 'Nina'; serif on I, J and j. |
| Zemestro (AG) | T | 12 | 43 |
 |
Slightly squared letterforms |
| Avenir (AD) | T | 12 | 45 |
 |
|
| Berlin Sans (FB) | D | 12 | 45 |
 |
alternate a; alternate G |
| Bruhn Script Straightened (Fou) | D | 12 | 45 |
 |
Rounded M with centerline; lower loop on f; serif on J, i, l curved; W has vertical sides |
| Bryant (Proc) | T | 12 | 45 |
 |
Alt version has different a, n, u, similar to Bauhaus-style. See at Codes 10-13. |
| Dungeon (RR) | D | 12 | 45 |
 |
squared letters; suggestion of serifs; very similar to Serpentine Sans |
| Flux Regular (T26) | T | 12 | 45 |
 |
T26(17); curved l; rounded bowl on y; B,D with round bottom |
| Jocelyn (AG) | D | 12 | 45 |
 |
Curved l; See Bauhaus-style; centerline on M; f below baseline |
| New Critter (LTR) | T | 12 | 45 |
 |
Has true italic face; left stroke of y is rectangle. |
| Plus (FF) | T | 12 | 45 |
 |
Considers M as un-splayed |
| Reykjavik One (Psy) | T | 12 | 45 |
|
slight tail on a; oblong letterforms for rounded letters |
| Serene (FHs/AG) | D | 12 | 45 |
 |
squared, bowls slightly open |
| Serpentine (Sans) (AD/ICG) | D | 12 | 45 |
 |
squared |
| Tara (Brassfonts) | T | 12 | 45 |
 |
serif on i, J and upper stem of r |
| Waddy 80-82 (AG) | T | 12 | 45 |
 |
W legs crossed, leaning to right; Waddy 80 is lightest weight (82 shown) |
| Whitney (HTF) | T | 12 | 45 |
 |
Using alt g & M; font also has two Q's, U's & W's. |
| Bosis (BB/AG) | T | 12 | 46 |
 |
Curved l |
| Cosmos (BE) | T | 12 | 46 |
 |
terminals are tapered |
| Delta Jaeger (BE) | T | 12 | 46 |
 |
notches at stem connections |
| Plus (FF) | T | 12 | 46 |
|
Considers M slightly splayed |
| Sterling (QS) | T | 12 | 46 |
 |
|
| Waddy 80-82 (AG) | T | 12 | 46 |
|
W legs crossed; M may appear slightly splayed |
| Whitney (HTF) | T | 12 | 46 |
|
Using alternate g; font also has two M's, Q's, U's & W's |
| Felbridge (AG) | T | 12 | 47 |
 |
Ignores curve to R tail; Asymmetric C, c & s; I, J, g, i & j have serifs; curved l (See also at T12-63) |
| Forever Two (TF) | T | 12 | 47 |
 |
|
| Geneva (Apple) | T | 12 | 47 |
 |
Slight curve to R; Mac system font |
| Gotham (HTF) | T | 12 | 47 |
 |
[comes in 4 weights, with italics; coding also applies to Condensed Light & Med.] see T12-39 for Condensed Med & Bold |
| Granby (E+F) | T | 12 | 47 |
 |
|
| Monitor (Our) | T | 12 | 47 |
 |
serifs on i, j, & l; curved bowl on y |
| OCR B (AD) | T | 12 | 47 |
|
y has slight curve to tail see also D12-43 |
| Positec (T26/IDK) | D | 12 | 47 |
 |
squarish; serif on J; y with squared bowl |
| Saarikari (TPC) | D | 12 | 47 |
 |
Serif on J; curved i, l. |
| Ubik (PT) | T | 12 | 47 |
 |
|
| Hardwood (LP/AG) | D | 12 | 48 |
 |
|
| Tiresias (BT) | T | 12 | 48 |
 |
|
| Univers (LL) | T | 12 | 49 |
 |
considers R as type 3; see also 12-57; 'Zurich' (BT) |
| Brazilia (AG) | T | 12 | 57 |
 |
|
| Brown Gothic (Shn) | T | 12 | 57 |
 |
ShinnType; ignores slight curve on a; Display version has less |
| Charcoal (Apple) | T | 12 | 57 |
 |
Mac system font |
| Foxfire (TF) | D | 12 | 57 |
 |
M like lower case m; y has curved bowl, vertical tail; f abnormally high, below baseline |
| Freytag (LL) | T | 12 | 57 |
 |
y has curved bowl, vertical tail; curved l; M, N, W & Y like l.c.; T has curved tail; A curved on left side |
| Rotis Sans (AG) | T | 12 | 57 |
 |
ear-shaped C, c, e; monotone strokes |
| Rotis Semisans (AG) | T | 12 | 57 |
 |
ear-shaped C, c, e; uneven strokes |
| Uniform (ICG) | T | 12 | 57 |
 |
[Univers equiv.] |
| Univers (LL) | T | 12 | 57 |
|
considers R as type 4; see also 12-49; 'Zurich' (BT) |
| Humana Sans (IT) | H | 12 | 58 |
 |
J below baseline |
| Benguiat Gothic (IT) | D | 12 | 60 |
 |
A,M,W curved |
| Briem Akademi (AG) | D | 12 | 61 |
 |
squarish, angular letters; M & W with centerline. |
| Europa Grotesque (RR/AG) | D | 12 | 61 |
 |
squared |
| Frutiger (AD) | T | 12 | 61 |
 |
|
| Handel Gothic (BE/E+F) | D | 12 | 61 |
 |
e like c with line |
| Prop Ten (GD) | T | 12 | 61 |
 |
Serifs on I, i, J, j; comes in 2 weights |
| Russell Square (AD) | D | 12 | 61 |
 |
squared; M not quite to baseline |
| Tema Cantate Sans (T26) | T | 12 | 61 |
 |
T, L, Z, F have flared horizontal strokes |
| Transit (FF) | T | 12 | 61 |
 |
|
| Tryptomeme (TPC) | D | 12 | 61 |
 |
squarish; indentations where strokes intersect |
| Myriad (AD) | T | 12 | 62 |
 |
|
| Bawdy (T26) | T | 12 | 63 |
 |
T26(16); g has angled tail |
| Domestos Sans (T26) | T | 12 | 63 |
 |
T26(23) Unusual bowls and rounded terminals on lower case |
| Felbridge (AG) | T | 12 | 63 |
|
Slight curve to R tail; Asymmetric C, c & s; I, J, g, i & j have serifs; curved l (See also at T12-47) |
| Geneva (Apple) | T | 12 | 63 |
|
Slight curve to R; Mac system font |
| Modena (x&y) | T | 12 | 63 |
 |
considers M not splayed |
| Monolith (Fou) | D | 12 | 63 |
 |
Bar on G angles up; stem on d angles to left; serifs on i, l, f & J; angular font |
| Prima Sans (BT) | T | 12 | 63 |
 |
|
| Prima Sans Monospce (BT) | T | 12 | 63 |
 |
serifs on I, I, J, j; monospaced |
| Sophisto (Psy | T | 12 | 63 |
 |
Serif on J; R has angular 'curves';odd counter shapes |
| Info Display (FF) | T | 12 | 64 |
 |
Curved l; c, C open; I, J have serifs; J below baseline |
| Modena (x&y) | T | 12 | 64 |
|
assumes M is splayed |
|
DGWT = "Designer's Guide to Web Type" by K. Ziegler, N. Greco
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