Miller Text, designed by Matthew Carter and released by Carter & Cone in 1997, is a transitional serif created specifically for comfortable reading in print. Inspired by 18th-century Scotch Roman typefaces, Miller Text is widely used in newspapers, magazines, and books thanks to its crisp serifs, sturdy forms, and balanced proportions.
It’s a typeface that bridges the gap between historical tradition and modern usability, making it a cornerstone in editorial typography.
Why Designers Love It
Designers love Miller Text because it delivers classic literary elegance with modern readability. Its Scotch Roman influence makes it distinctive yet versatile, while its robust letterforms hold up beautifully at small sizes in print. Publishers and editorial designers choose Miller Text when they want a serif that feels both authoritative and timeless.
7 Fonts Similar to Miller Text
1. Georgia (Free Alternative)
- Style: Transitional serif
- Why It’s Similar: Also designed by Matthew Carter with a Scotch Roman influence.
- Key Difference: Optimized for screen use; Miller Text is better suited for print.
- Price & Availability: Free, system font.
2. Scotch Roman MT
- Style: Transitional serif
- Why It’s Similar: Shares Miller’s 18th-century Scotch Roman roots.
- Key Difference: More historically accurate, less polished for modern needs.
- Price & Availability: Paid, Monotype.
3. Century Schoolbook
- Style: Transitional serif
- Why It’s Similar: Same sturdy readability and balanced proportions.
- Key Difference: Century is rounder and wider; Miller is sharper and more elegant.
- Price & Availability: Paid, Monotype.
4. Freight Text
- Style: Transitional serif
- Why It’s Similar: Designed for editorial text, with modern refinements like Miller.
- Key Difference: Freight Text has softer curves and looser spacing.
- Price & Availability: Paid, GarageFonts.
5. Charter
- Style: Transitional serif
- Why It’s Similar: Robust readability in text-heavy layouts.
- Key Difference: Charter feels more economical and engineered; Miller has more historical charm.
- Price & Availability: Paid, Bitstream.
6. ITC New Baskerville
- Style: Transitional serif
- Why It’s Similar: Both balance classical elegance with practical readability.
- Key Difference: Baskerville has higher contrast; Miller is sturdier.
- Price & Availability: Paid, ITC/Monotype.
7. PT Serif (Free Alternative)
- Style: Transitional serif
- Why It’s Similar: Open-source font designed for body text, offering similar usability.
- Key Difference: PT Serif is more neutral and lacks Miller’s Scotch character.
- Price & Availability: Free, Google Fonts.
Visual Comparison
| Font Name | Preview |
|---|---|
| Miller Text | Miller Text |
| Georgia | Georgia |
| Scotch Roman MT | Scotch Roman MT |
| Century Schoolbook | Century Schoolbook |
| Freight Text | Freight Text |
| Charter | Charter |
| ITC New Baskerville | ITC New Baskerville |
| PT Serif | PT Serif |
Recommendation Summary Table
| Alternative | Similarity Score | Best For | Price & Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 94% | Digital publishing, free alternative | Free (System font) |
| Scotch Roman MT | 92% | Historical authenticity | Paid (Monotype) |
| Century Schoolbook | 89% | Educational publishing | Paid (Monotype) |
| Freight Text | 87% | Modern editorial layouts | Paid (GarageFonts) |
| Charter | 85% | Text-heavy books | Paid (Bitstream) |
| ITC New Baskerville | 84% | Classical elegance in print | Paid (Monotype) |
| PT Serif | 82% | Open-source projects | Free (Google Fonts) |
Conclusion
Miller Text is a masterwork of Matthew Carter, combining historical Scotch Roman elegance with modern usability for print. If you want a free digital counterpart, Georgia is the closest match. For authentic historical feel, Scotch Roman MT and Century Schoolbook are excellent. If you need versatile editorial options, Freight Text and Charter shine. Finally, ITC New Baskerville and PT Serif offer reliable alternatives depending on budget and project scope.
Typeface Similar to Font 