Publico, designed by Christian Schwartz and Paul Barnes for Commercial Type, is a contemporary serif created for modern editorial needs. Originally commissioned for The Independent newspaper in 2004, it blends the authority of a classic newspaper typeface with a refined, modern edge. Publico excels in print and digital journalism, balancing sharpness with warmth, and offering both text and display styles.
Why Designers Love It
Designers love Publico because it feels serious but approachable. It conveys trustworthiness, perfect for news and editorial brands, while its refined serifs and open forms make it versatile for magazines, websites, and branding. Publico’s Display cuts add personality for headlines, while the Text styles remain highly legible in body copy.
7 Fonts Similar to Publico
1. Tiempos Text
- Style: Humanist serif
- Why It’s Similar: Designed for newspapers and editorial use, just like Publico.
- Key Difference: Slightly warmer and more humanist than Publico’s modern classicism.
- Price & Availability: Paid, available via Klim Type Foundry.
2. Mercury Text
- Style: Contemporary serif
- Why It’s Similar: Shares Publico’s blend of authority and readability.
- Key Difference: More compact and optimized for dense editorial settings.
- Price & Availability: Paid, available via Hoefler&Co.
3. Guardian Egyptian
- Style: Slab serif
- Why It’s Similar: Created for The Guardian, with the same journalistic voice as Publico.
- Key Difference: Squared slab serifs make it bolder and more distinctive.
- Price & Availability: Paid, available via Commercial Type.
4. Freight Text
- Style: Transitional serif
- Why It’s Similar: Warm yet authoritative, balancing readability with character.
- Key Difference: More expressive italics and slightly softer curves.
- Price & Availability: Paid, available via GarageFonts.
5. Miller Text
- Style: Transitional serif
- Why It’s Similar: Traditional editorial roots, perfect for newspapers and magazines.
- Key Difference: More classical influence compared to Publico’s modern refinement.
- Price & Availability: Paid, available via Font Bureau.
6. Lora (Free Alternative)
- Style: Transitional serif
- Why It’s Similar: Good balance of elegance and legibility for editorial content.
- Key Difference: Narrower proportions and less typographic range than Publico.
- Price & Availability: Free via Google Fonts.
7. Spectral (Free Alternative)
- Style: Contemporary serif
- Why It’s Similar: Designed for digital editorial use with a versatile serif design.
- Key Difference: Less stylistic variety, more optimized for screens than print.
- Price & Availability: Free via Google Fonts.
Visual Comparison
| Font Name | Preview |
|---|---|
| Publico | Publico |
| Tiempos Text | Tiempos Text |
| Mercury Text | Mercury Text |
| Guardian Egyptian | Guardian Egyptian |
| Freight Text | Freight Text |
| Miller Text | Miller Text |
| Lora | Lora |
| Spectral | Spectral |
Recommendation Summary Table
| Alternative | Similarity Score | Best For | Price & Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiempos Text | 92% | Modern newspapers and magazines | Paid (Klim) |
| Mercury Text | 90% | Editorial layouts, dense copy | Paid (Hoefler&Co) |
| Guardian Egyptian | 87% | Bold journalistic branding | Paid (Commercial Type) |
| Freight Text | 86% | Versatile editorial and branding | Paid (GarageFonts) |
| Miller Text | 85% | Classic newspaper look | Paid (Font Bureau) |
| Lora | 80% | Digital publications, blogs | Free (Google Fonts) |
| Spectral | 82% | Web-based editorial projects | Free (Google Fonts) |
Conclusion
If you appreciate Publico’s serious yet modern editorial tone, several strong alternatives exist. Tiempos Text and Mercury Text bring a contemporary edge, while Guardian Egyptian offers a more distinctive slab-serif voice. Freight Text and Miller Text suit classic editorial workflows. For budget-conscious projects, Lora and Spectral provide excellent free alternatives while retaining much of Publico’s balance of elegance and readability.
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