Sabon, designed by Jan Tschichold in 1967, is a refined Old Style serif created for harmonious use across Linotype, Monotype, and hand composition. Known for its balanced proportions, elegant curves, and excellent readability, Sabon is a favorite for book typography, editorial design, and high-end print materials.
However, Sabon’s licensing costs and distinctive formal tone might not suit every project. Sometimes you may want a similar serif with comparable elegance but a different feel, broader digital optimization, or free availability.
Here’s our curated list of 7 typefaces similar to Sabon, including both premium and free alternatives.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| Sabon | Image preview here |
| Garamond Premier Pro | Image preview here |
| Minion Pro | Image preview here |
| Bembo | Image preview here |
| Arno Pro | Image preview here |
| EB Garamond | Image preview here |
| Cormorant Garamond | Image preview here |
| Crimson Text | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. Garamond Premier Pro (Robert Slimbach, 2005)
- Style: Serif, Old Style
- Why It’s Similar: Shares Sabon’s Renaissance-inspired elegance and balanced proportions.
- Key Difference: Slightly softer stroke contrast and wider family range.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Adobe Fonts.
2. Minion Pro (Robert Slimbach, 1990)
- Style: Serif, Old Style
- Why It’s Similar: Comparable warmth and readability with similar typographic rhythm.
- Key Difference: Offers optical sizes and a broader weight selection.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Adobe Fonts.
3. Bembo (Monotype, 1929)
- Style: Serif, Old Style
- Why It’s Similar: Maintains Sabon’s classic proportions and book-friendly elegance.
- Key Difference: Slightly rounder curves and a more relaxed tone.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Monotype.
4. Arno Pro (Robert Slimbach, 2007)
- Style: Serif, Renaissance-inspired
- Why It’s Similar: Shares Sabon’s historical roots and elegant structure.
- Key Difference: More calligraphic influence, especially in italics.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Adobe Fonts.
Free Alternatives
5. EB Garamond (Georg Duffner, 2011)
- Style: Serif, Old Style
- Why It’s Similar: Renaissance charm and proportions close to Sabon.
- Key Difference: Faithful historical revival of Garamond with open-source availability.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
6. Cormorant Garamond (Christian Thalmann, 2015)
- Style: Serif, Display/Text
- Why It’s Similar: Inspired by Garamond, offering similar elegance to Sabon.
- Key Difference: Higher stroke contrast and more decorative flair in display sizes.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
7. Crimson Text (Sebastian Kosch, 2010)
- Style: Serif, Old Style
- Why It’s Similar: Warm, readable forms that work well in long-form reading.
- Key Difference: Slightly larger x-height for improved on-screen legibility.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score (1–5) | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garamond Premier Pro | ★★★★★ | Paid | Elegant print and branding |
| Minion Pro | ★★★★★ | Paid | Versatile professional typography |
| Bembo | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Classic book layouts |
| Arno Pro | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Historical, calligraphic text |
| EB Garamond | ★★★★☆ | Free | Historical authenticity |
| Cormorant Garamond | ★★★★☆ | Free | Decorative editorial use |
| Crimson Text | ★★★★☆ | Free | Comfortable digital reading |
Conclusion
For a premium match to Sabon, Garamond Premier Pro and Minion Pro are outstanding choices. If you’re after free alternatives, EB Garamond offers authentic Renaissance charm, while Cormorant Garamond and Crimson Text bring elegance to both print and digital formats.
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