Merriweather, designed by Eben Sorkin, is a contemporary serif typeface built for screen readability. Its tall x-height, moderate contrast, and sturdy letterforms make it easy to read on both desktop and mobile devices. Available for free on Google Fonts, it’s widely used in blogs, news sites, and digital publications.
Still, there are times when you might want an alternative — perhaps for a different visual mood, more weights, or to avoid overused fonts in your project.
Here’s our curated list of 7 typefaces similar to Merriweather, including both premium and free options.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| Merriweather | Image preview here |
| Chronicle Text | Image preview here |
| Lora | Image preview here |
| Tisa | Image preview here |
| Source Serif Pro | Image preview here |
| Alegreya | Image preview here |
| Charter | Image preview here |
| PT Serif | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. Chronicle Text (Hoefler&Co.)
- Style: Transitional/Contemporary Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Sturdy forms, tall x-height, excellent for editorial content.
- Key Difference: More refined contrast and optical sizes for print/digital.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Hoefler&Co.
2. Tisa (Mitja Miklavčič)
- Style: Humanist Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Gentle contrast and generous proportions like Merriweather.
- Key Difference: Slightly softer curves and warmer tone.
- Price & Availability: Paid — TypeTogether.
3. Charter (Matthew Carter)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Highly readable on low-resolution screens, similar functional design.
- Key Difference: More traditional serif shapes with less curve in terminals.
- Price & Availability: Paid — ITC.
Free Alternatives
4. Lora (Cyreal)
- Style: Contemporary Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Similar contrast and readability, suited for long-form text.
- Key Difference: Slightly more calligraphic influence in strokes.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
5. Source Serif Pro (Frank Grießhammer)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Balanced proportions and digital optimization.
- Key Difference: Adobe Originals design with slightly softer contrast.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
6. Alegreya (Juan Pablo del Peral)
- Style: Humanist Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Friendly, legible forms that feel approachable in body text.
- Key Difference: More expressive rhythm in letterforms.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
7. PT Serif (Alexandra Korolkova)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Solid readability with slightly compact letterforms.
- Key Difference: Compact width for space-efficient layouts.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score (1–5) | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronicle Text | ★★★★★ | Paid | High-end editorial & news sites |
| Tisa | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Warm, humanist branding |
| Charter | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Readability-focused projects |
| Lora | ★★★★☆ | Free | Blogs & long-form content |
| Source Serif Pro | ★★★★☆ | Free | Digital publishing |
| Alegreya | ★★★★☆ | Free | Friendly brand tone |
| PT Serif | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Space-conscious layouts |
Conclusion
For a premium replacement for Merriweather, Chronicle Text is the closest match with extra refinement for professional publishing.
For free options, Lora and Source Serif Pro offer strong readability with subtle stylistic differences to keep your typography fresh.
Typeface Similar to Font 