Franklin Gothic, designed by Morris Fuller Benton in 1902, is one of the most enduring American sans-serifs. Known for its sturdy, bold letterforms and slightly condensed proportions, it has been a staple in newspaper headlines, posters, and branding for over a century. Its no-nonsense, high-impact look makes it a go-to choice for attention-grabbing design.
However, Franklin Gothic isn’t always available as a free web font, and licensing for commercial use can be restrictive. Designers may also want similar styles with expanded weights, better digital optimization, or subtle personality differences.
Here’s our curated list of 7 typefaces similar to Franklin Gothic, including both premium and free alternatives.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| Franklin Gothic | Image preview here |
| Trade Gothic | Image preview here |
| News Gothic | Image preview here |
| Benton Sans | Image preview here |
| League Gothic | Image preview here |
| Oswald | Image preview here |
| Libre Franklin | Image preview here |
| Source Sans Pro | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. Trade Gothic (Jackson Burke, 1948)
Style: Sans-Serif, Grotesque
Why It’s Similar: Shares condensed shapes, strong vertical stress, and bold presence.
Key Difference: Slightly more angular terminals, offering a sharper look.
Price & Availability: Paid — Linotype/Monotype.
2. News Gothic (Morris Fuller Benton, 1908)
Style: Sans-Serif, Grotesque
Why It’s Similar: From the same designer as Franklin Gothic, with similar letterforms.
Key Difference: Narrower proportions, lighter overall weight.
Price & Availability: Paid — Monotype.
3. Benton Sans (Tobias Frere-Jones, 1995)
Style: Sans-Serif, Grotesque
Why It’s Similar: A modern reinterpretation of Franklin Gothic with expanded family sizes.
Key Difference: Optimized for both print and digital readability.
Price & Availability: Paid — Font Bureau.
Free Alternatives
4. League Gothic (Morris Fuller Benton revival, 2009)
Style: Sans-Serif, Condensed Grotesque
Why It’s Similar: Digitally revived version of Benton’s condensed gothic work.
Key Difference: Slightly taller x-height and tighter spacing.
Price & Availability: Free — The League of Moveable Type.
5. Oswald (Vernon Adams, 2011)
Style: Sans-Serif, Grotesque
Why It’s Similar: Strong, condensed forms reminiscent of Franklin Gothic Bold.
Key Difference: Adjusted for modern web browsers and responsive typography.
Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
6. Libre Franklin (Impallari Type, 2016)
Style: Sans-Serif, Grotesque
Why It’s Similar: Open-source tribute to Franklin Gothic with multiple weights.
Key Difference: More uniform spacing for digital layouts.
Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
7. Source Sans Pro (Paul D. Hunt, 2012)
Style: Sans-Serif, Humanist/Grotesque Hybrid
Why It’s Similar: Shares a balanced, sturdy structure with a clean modern twist.
Key Difference: Slightly more humanist curves and optimized for UI design.
Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score (1–5) | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Gothic | ★★★★★ | Paid | Bold headlines and branding |
| News Gothic | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Narrow, space-efficient text |
| Benton Sans | ★★★★★ | Paid | Modern, versatile replacements |
| League Gothic | ★★★★☆ | Free | Poster and display typography |
| Oswald | ★★★★☆ | Free | Web headlines and UI work |
| Libre Franklin | ★★★★★ | Free | All-around Franklin alternative |
| Source Sans Pro | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Digital products and UI |
Conclusion
If you want the closest premium match to Franklin Gothic, Trade Gothic and Benton Sans are excellent choices. For a free, highly versatile replacement, Libre Franklin is the most faithful open-source equivalent, while Oswald offers a strong web-optimized alternative.
Typeface Similar to Font 