Austin, designed by Paul Barnes for Commercial Type, is a modern revival of late 18th- and early 19th-century English Didone typography. Inspired by typefaces used in The Times of London, Austin captures the elegance of high-contrast serifs with modern refinements. Its crisp vertical stress, razor-thin serifs, and strong contrast make it a go-to choice for fashion magazines, luxury branding, and sophisticated editorial design.
Why Designers Love It
Designers are drawn to Austin for its ability to combine historical refinement with contemporary clarity. It has the elegance of classic Didones (like Bodoni or Didot) but is optimized for modern print and digital layouts. Its striking contrast ensures headlines pop, while its fine details bring luxury and prestige to the page.
7 Fonts Similar to Austin
1. Didot
- Style: Classic French Didone
- Why It’s Similar: Shares Austin’s sharp vertical stress, high contrast, and delicate serifs.
- Key Difference: Didot is more formal and dramatic, often sharper in small details.
- Price & Availability: Paid, available via Linotype / Adobe Fonts.
2. Bodoni
- Style: Italian Didone
- Why It’s Similar: Same modern serif DNA with crisp verticals and elegant proportions.
- Key Difference: Bodoni is more geometric and rigid compared to Austin’s softer refinements.
- Price & Availability: Paid, available via Monotype / Adobe Fonts.
3. Modern No. 20
- Style: Transitional/Didone hybrid
- Why It’s Similar: Bold contrast and clean serifs echo Austin’s modern elegance.
- Key Difference: Slightly less refined than Austin, with wider spacing.
- Price & Availability: Paid, available via Monotype.
4. Tiempos Headline
- Style: Modern editorial serif
- Why It’s Similar: Inspired by Didone tradition but with contemporary readability.
- Key Difference: More robust and versatile for longer texts than Austin.
- Price & Availability: Paid, available via Klim Type Foundry.
5. Portrait
- Style: High-contrast serif
- Why It’s Similar: Captures Austin’s luxury feel with refined stroke contrast.
- Key Difference: Portrait adds a slightly more expressive personality.
- Price & Availability: Paid, available via Commercial Type.
6. Vollkorn Display (Free Alternative)
- Style: Modern serif with high contrast
- Why It’s Similar: Evokes Didone sharpness while offering versatility.
- Key Difference: More humanist, with less extreme contrast.
- Price & Availability: Free via Google Fonts.
7. Playfair Display (Free Alternative)
- Style: Transitional to Didone-inspired serif
- Why It’s Similar: Elegant contrast and modern proportions make it a strong free option.
- Key Difference: Playfair is less sharp and a bit rounder than Austin.
- Price & Availability: Free via Google Fonts.
Visual Comparison
| Font Name | Preview |
|---|---|
| Austin | Austin |
| Didot | Didot |
| Bodoni | Bodoni |
| Modern No. 20 | Modern No. 20 |
| Tiempos Headline | Tiempos Headline |
| Portrait | Portrait |
| Vollkorn Display | Vollkorn Display |
| Playfair Display | Playfair Display |
Recommendation Summary Table
| Alternative | Similarity Score | Best For | Price & Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Didot | 95% | Luxury fashion, magazine spreads | Paid (Linotype) |
| Bodoni | 93% | Editorial, book covers, logos | Paid (Monotype) |
| Modern No. 20 | 85% | Headlines, strong print layouts | Paid (Monotype) |
| Tiempos Headline | 88% | Editorial and newspapers | Paid (Klim Type Foundry) |
| Portrait | 87% | Premium branding | Paid (Commercial Type) |
| Vollkorn Display | 78% | Display and editorial | Free (Google Fonts) |
| Playfair Display | 82% | Websites, digital projects | Free (Google Fonts) |
Conclusion
If you admire Austin’s Didone elegance, there are several strong alternatives. Didot and Bodoni offer the closest historical kinship, while Tiempos Headline and Portrait bring modern editorial and branding twists. For free options, Playfair Display and Vollkorn Display provide strong substitutes without sacrificing the refined serif look.
Typeface Similar to Font 