Clarendon, designed by Robert Besley in 1845, is one of the most recognizable slab serif typefaces. Known for its bold weight, bracketed serifs, and friendly yet authoritative tone, Clarendon has been used in everything from posters and signage to logos and editorial design. Its sturdy forms and generous curves give it a warm, approachable presence while still commanding attention.
However, the original Clarendon is a licensed typeface that may not fit every budget or platform. Designers often seek alternatives that maintain its slab serif charm but offer different nuances, weights, or open licensing.
Here’s our curated list of 7 typefaces similar to Clarendon, including both premium and free options.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| Clarendon | Image preview here |
| Sentinel | Image preview here |
| Belizio | Image preview here |
| PMN Caecilia | Image preview here |
| Roboto Slab | Image preview here |
| Arvo | Image preview here |
| Slabo 27px | Image preview here |
| Zilla Slab | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. Sentinel (Hoefler & Co.)
- Style: Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Modernized interpretation of Clarendon with a full range of weights.
- Key Difference: More refined proportions and improved readability.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Hoefler & Co.
2. Belizio (David Berlow)
- Style: Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Faithful to the Clarendon structure with slight refinements.
- Key Difference: Subtler contrast and smoother curves.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Font Bureau.
3. PMN Caecilia (Peter Matthias Noordzij)
- Style: Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Shares the sturdy slab feel and balanced spacing.
- Key Difference: More humanist details in certain letterforms.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Linotype.
Free Alternatives
4. Roboto Slab (Christian Robertson)
- Style: Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Maintains the blocky, friendly slab serif look.
- Key Difference: Designed for digital interfaces, optimized for web.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
5. Arvo (Anton Koovit)
- Style: Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Strong slab presence with modern clarity.
- Key Difference: Slightly more geometric than Clarendon.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
6. Slabo 27px (John Hudson)
- Style: Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Retains slab serif personality in a web-friendly format.
- Key Difference: Optimized for a single size (27px) for crisp on-screen reading.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
7. Zilla Slab (Typotheque for Mozilla)
- Style: Slab Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Modern, open-source slab with Clarendon-inspired proportions.
- Key Difference: More contemporary details, versatile for branding.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score (1–5) | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sentinel | ★★★★★ | Paid | Premium editorial & branding |
| Belizio | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Authentic Clarendon feel |
| PMN Caecilia | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Professional corporate branding |
| Roboto Slab | ★★★★☆ | Free | Web & app design |
| Arvo | ★★★★☆ | Free | Modern branding |
| Slabo 27px | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Crisp UI text |
| Zilla Slab | ★★★★☆ | Free | Open-source branding |
Conclusion
If you want a premium, polished match to Clarendon, Sentinel is the go-to choice.
For a free option with strong versatility, Roboto Slab is excellent for both print and web.
For a slightly more modern twist, Zilla Slab and Arvo offer fresh takes on the slab serif classic.
Typeface Similar to Font 