FF DIN, designed by Albert-Jan Pool in 1995 for FontFont, is a sans-serif typeface inspired by Germany’s industrial DIN 1451 standard. With its clean, engineered lines and no-nonsense geometry, it has become a favorite for branding, signage, editorial design, and user interfaces.
Because FF DIN is a premium licensed font, designers often look for alternatives that deliver the same industrial precision but with varied personalities, broader licensing options, or free availability.
Here’s our curated list of 7 typefaces similar to FF DIN, with both premium and free options.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| FF DIN | Image preview here |
| DIN Next | Image preview here |
| Eurostile | Image preview here |
| Söhne | Image preview here |
| DIN Condensed | Image preview here |
| Rajdhani | Image preview here |
| Bank Gothic | Image preview here |
| Orbitron | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. DIN Next (Monotype)
- Style: Geometric Sans-Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Updated, modernized version of FF DIN with additional weights and styles.
- Key Difference: Smoother curves, better kerning for digital use.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Monotype Fonts.
2. Eurostile (Aldo Novarese)
- Style: Geometric Sans-Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Shares the technical, square-like shapes and industrial feel.
- Key Difference: More squared corners and sci-fi aesthetic.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Linotype.
3. Söhne (Kris Sowersby, Klim Type Foundry)
- Style: Sans-Serif, Industrial
- Why It’s Similar: Modern revival inspired by DIN 1451 with exceptional detailing.
- Key Difference: More optical balance for body text.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Klim Type Foundry.
Free Alternatives
4. DIN Condensed (Google Fonts)
- Style: Sans-Serif, Narrow
- Why It’s Similar: Retains DIN’s tall, structured look in a condensed form.
- Key Difference: Limited to uppercase letters in some weights.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
5. Rajdhani (Google Fonts)
- Style: Sans-Serif, Square
- Why It’s Similar: Shares geometric structure and industrial tone.
- Key Difference: Wider letterforms with more open counters.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
6. Bank Gothic (Morris Fuller Benton)
- Style: Geometric Sans-Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Industrial, square-cut letters with a strong presence.
- Key Difference: More futuristic angles, lacks lowercase in classic version.
- Price & Availability: Free/Paid versions available.
7. Orbitron (Matt McInerney)
- Style: Geometric Sans-Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Square structure, technical feel.
- Key Difference: Optimized for display and futuristic branding.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score (1–5) | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIN Next | ★★★★★ | Paid | Branding, digital design |
| Eurostile | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Industrial and tech visuals |
| Söhne | ★★★★★ | Paid | Editorial and signage |
| DIN Condensed | ★★★★☆ | Free | Bold headlines |
| Rajdhani | ★★★★☆ | Free | UI and display type |
| Bank Gothic | ★★★☆☆ | Free/Paid | Futuristic branding |
| Orbitron | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Tech-focused projects |
Conclusion
If you need the closest premium match, DIN Next is the direct upgrade to FF DIN.
For a free option with similar structure, DIN Condensed delivers the industrial style for bold headings.
For something fresh yet faithful, Rajdhani offers a versatile Google Fonts alternative.
