PT Serif, designed by Alexandra Korolkova, Olga Umpeleva, and Vladimir Yefimov for ParaType, is a transitional serif typeface made for both digital and print use. With its moderate contrast, large x-height, and slightly compact letterforms, it offers excellent readability across long passages of text. As part of the “Public Types of Russian Federation” project, PT Serif is also known for its extensive language support, making it a favorite for multilingual content.
Still, you might want an alternative — perhaps for a different mood, expanded stylistic options, or simply to stand out from a widely used free font.
Here’s our curated list of 7 typefaces similar to PT Serif, including both premium and free options.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| PT Serif | Image preview here |
| Merriweather | Image preview here |
| Georgia | Image preview here |
| Tisa | Image preview here |
| Charter | Image preview here |
| Source Serif Pro | Image preview here |
| Lora | Image preview here |
| Literata | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. Tisa (Mitja Miklavčič)
- Style: Humanist Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Similar proportions, readability, and versatility for text-heavy projects.
- Key Difference: Slightly softer and warmer curves than PT Serif.
- Price & Availability: Paid — TypeTogether.
2. Charter (Matthew Carter)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Excellent legibility at small sizes, just like PT Serif.
- Key Difference: Less decorative and more traditional in form.
- Price & Availability: Paid — ITC.
3. Georgia (Matthew Carter)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Shares PT Serif’s readability-focused design with sturdy proportions.
- Key Difference: Slightly rounder and more open letterforms.
- Price & Availability: Paid — widely bundled with operating systems.
Free Alternatives
4. Merriweather (Eben Sorkin)
- Style: Contemporary Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Comparable x-height and readability for both screen and print.
- Key Difference: Slightly heavier strokes and softer feel.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
5. Source Serif Pro (Frank Grießhammer)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Digital optimization and balanced structure.
- Key Difference: Adobe design with broader stylistic set.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
6. Lora (Cyreal)
- Style: Contemporary Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Similar letter proportions and text clarity.
- Key Difference: More calligraphic detail in curves.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
7. Literata (TypeTogether)
- Style: Transitional Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Designed for digital reading with proportions close to PT Serif.
- Key Difference: Slightly more expressive serif shapes.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score (1–5) | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tisa | ★★★★★ | Paid | Warm, humanist editorial design |
| Charter | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Space-efficient layouts |
| Georgia | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Digital body text |
| Merriweather | ★★★★☆ | Free | Long-form web reading |
| Source Serif Pro | ★★★★☆ | Free | Balanced editorial and digital use |
| Lora | ★★★★☆ | Free | Blog and magazine text |
| Literata | ★★★★☆ | Free | E-books and mobile reading |
Conclusion
If you want a premium, humanist-leaning alternative to PT Serif, Tisa is your best bet.
For free options, Merriweather and Source Serif Pro are highly readable and well-suited for both print and digital use.
Typeface Similar to Font 