ITC Cheltenham, originally designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue in 1896 and later reinterpreted by Tony Stan for ITC in the 1970s, is a distinctive serif with a warm, literary feel. Known for its tall x-height, short ascenders, and slightly condensed proportions, it has long been a favorite for book design, magazine headlines, and classic branding projects.
However, ITC Cheltenham is a licensed typeface, and you may be looking for something with similar personality — perhaps a more budget-friendly option, a web-optimized version, or a free alternative that maintains that same elegance and charm.
Here’s our curated list of 7 typefaces similar to ITC Cheltenham, including both premium and free options.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| ITC Cheltenham | Image preview here |
| Cheltenham Pro | Image preview here |
| Miller | Image preview here |
| Goudy Old Style | Image preview here |
| Hoefler Text | Image preview here |
| Century Expanded | Image preview here |
| Merriweather | Image preview here |
| Cormorant Garamond | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. Cheltenham Pro (ITC, updated release)
- Style: Serif, Transitional/Old Style influence
- Why It’s Similar: It’s the modern, expanded version of the original Cheltenham, maintaining its distinctive condensed warmth.
- Key Difference: Improved kerning, expanded weights, and OpenType features.
- Price & Availability: Paid — ITC/Monotype.
2. Miller (Matthew Carter, 1997)
- Style: Scotch Roman Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Shares tall x-height, traditional charm, and editorial elegance.
- Key Difference: More refined curves and modern proportions.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Carter & Cone / Font Bureau.
3. Goudy Old Style (Frederic W. Goudy, 1915)
- Style: Old Style Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Comparable warmth and calligraphic influence in letterforms.
- Key Difference: Slightly softer serifs and more open counters.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Monotype, Adobe Fonts.
4. Hoefler Text (Jonathan Hoefler, 1991)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Evokes the literary feel and historical flavor of Cheltenham.
- Key Difference: Designed for high-quality print and digital typography.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Hoefler & Co.
Free Alternatives
5. Century Expanded (Linn Boyd Benton, 1894)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Strong, readable body text face with similar proportions.
- Key Difference: Less condensed, slightly more neutral in tone.
- Price & Availability: Free via some digital archives; commercial licensing available.
6. Merriweather (Sorkin Type Co., 2010)
- Style: Serif, Transitional
- Why It’s Similar: Shares warmth, tall x-height, and good readability in print and on screen.
- Key Difference: Optimized for digital use with open counters.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
7. Cormorant Garamond (Christian Thalmann, 2015)
- Style: Garamond-inspired Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Elegant, literary, with old-style warmth reminiscent of Cheltenham.
- Key Difference: More delicate details and high contrast.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham Pro | ★★★★★ | Paid | Closest match to original |
| Miller | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Editorial and book typography |
| Goudy Old Style | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Classic branding & publishing |
| Hoefler Text | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Elegant print and digital layouts |
| Century Expanded | ★★★★☆ | Free | Readable body text |
| Merriweather | ★★★★☆ | Free | Web typography |
| Cormorant Garamond | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Elegant, decorative headings |
Conclusion
If you need the truest Cheltenham look, Cheltenham Pro is the obvious choice. For a fresh but still classic feel, Miller and Goudy Old Style are excellent premium alternatives. On a budget? Merriweather and Cormorant Garamond give you literary flair without the licensing cost.
Typeface Similar to Font 