Typeface Similar to Playfair Display: 7 Look-Alike Alternatives

Playfair Display, created by Claus Eggers Sørensen in 2011, is a high-contrast serif inspired by transitional and Didone styles of the late 18th century. With its elegant curves, tall x-height, and refined contrast, it’s a favorite for editorial headlines, luxury branding, and stylish web typography.

If you love Playfair Display’s sophistication but need a fresh variation or different licensing terms, these 7 alternatives deliver similar high-contrast charm for your next project.

Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog

Font	Preview
Playfair Display	Image preview here
Libre Baskerville	Image preview here
Lora	Image preview here
Cormorant Garamond	Image preview here
Abril Fatface	Image preview here
Butler	Image preview here
Baskerville	Image preview here
DM Serif Display	Image preview here

Premium Alternatives

1. Butler (Fabian De Smet, 2015)

Style: Didone-inspired serif
Why It’s Similar: Shares Playfair’s high contrast and sharp serifs.
Key Difference: Geometric influence for a modern twist.
Price & Availability: Paid — Commercial licensing available.

2. Baskerville (John Baskerville, 1757, various revivals)

Style: Transitional serif
Why It’s Similar: Elegant letterforms with refined contrast.
Key Difference: Softer serifs and warmer proportions.
Price & Availability: Paid and free versions available via Google Fonts (Libre Baskerville).

3. Abril Fatface (TypeTogether, 2011)

Style: Didone display serif
Why It’s Similar: Bold, stylish, and perfect for impactful headings.
Key Difference: Much heavier weight and more dramatic impact.
Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.

Free Alternatives

4. Libre Baskerville (Impallari Type, 2012)

Style: Transitional serif
Why It’s Similar: Elegant shapes with similar proportions to Playfair.
Key Difference: Optimized for body text as well as display.
Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.

5. Lora (Cyreal, 2011)

Style: Transitional serif
Why It’s Similar: Balanced contrast and refined curves.
Key Difference: More neutral tone, suited for both headings and paragraphs.
Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.

6. Cormorant Garamond (Christian Thalmann, 2015)

Style: Old-style serif
Why It’s Similar: High elegance and contrast for headlines.
Key Difference: More decorative flourishes.
Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.

7. DM Serif Display (Colophon Foundry, 2019)

Style: Transitional serif
Why It’s Similar: High contrast with tall x-height, good for editorial style.
Key Difference: Rounded terminals add warmth.
Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.

Recommendation Summary Table

Font Name	Similarity Score	Free/Paid	Best For
Butler	★★★★★	Paid	Luxury branding, editorial
Baskerville	★★★★★	Paid/Free	Classic publishing
Abril Fatface	★★★★☆	Free	Impactful headings
Libre Baskerville	★★★★☆	Free	Elegant body & headings
Lora	★★★★☆	Free	Web & print versatility
Cormorant Garamond	★★★★☆	Free	High-end visuals
DM Serif Display	★★★★☆	Free	Modern editorial layouts

Conclusion
For a close premium alternative to Playfair Display, Butler offers similar elegance with a geometric twist. Free options like Libre Baskerville and Lora make excellent substitutes for both headlines and paragraph text.