Scala Sans, designed by Martin Majoor in 1993, is the sans-serif companion to the acclaimed Scala typeface. Known for its humanist structure, generous proportions, and subtle calligraphic influence, Scala Sans bridges the gap between classic readability and modern minimalism. It’s often used in editorial design, branding, and corporate communications where warmth and professionalism are equally important.
However, Scala Sans is a premium font, and you might be looking for alternatives that offer a similar blend of clarity, elegance, and approachability—whether for budget considerations, web licensing, or personal preference.
Here’s our curated list of 7 typefaces similar to Scala Sans, including both premium and free options.
Visual Comparison
Sample Text: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
| Font | Preview |
|---|---|
| Scala Sans | Image preview here |
| FF Meta | Image preview here |
| Myriad Pro | Image preview here |
| FF Dax | Image preview here |
| Gill Sans Nova | Image preview here |
| Source Sans Pro | Image preview here |
| PT Sans | Image preview here |
| Noto Sans | Image preview here |
Premium Alternatives
1. FF Meta (Erik Spiekermann, 1991–1998)
- Style: Humanist Sans Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Shares Scala Sans’s friendly, humanist proportions and excellent legibility.
- Key Difference: More pronounced curve in the lowercase ‘a’ and slightly tighter spacing.
- Price & Availability: Paid — FontFont/Monotype.
2. Myriad Pro (Robert Slimbach & Carol Twombly, 1992)
- Style: Humanist Sans Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Similar x-height, open counters, and neutral yet approachable design.
- Key Difference: A touch more geometric and optimized for modern branding.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Adobe Fonts.
3. FF Dax (Hans Reichel, 1995)
- Style: Humanist Sans Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Warm personality and rounded details echo Scala Sans’s inviting tone.
- Key Difference: Slightly narrower letterforms with higher stroke contrast.
- Price & Availability: Paid — FontFont/Monotype.
4. Gill Sans Nova (Eric Gill, 1928; Nova version by Monotype, 2015)
- Style: Humanist Sans Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Humanist roots with soft curves and classic British design elegance.
- Key Difference: More heritage feel, especially in capitals and numerals.
- Price & Availability: Paid — Monotype.
Free Alternatives
5. Source Sans Pro (Paul D. Hunt, 2012)
- Style: Humanist Sans Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Balanced proportions and open forms similar to Scala Sans.
- Key Difference: Slightly more uniform strokes for screen clarity.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
6. PT Sans (Alexandra Korolkova, Olga Umpeleva & Vladimir Yefimov, 2009)
- Style: Humanist Sans Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Shares Scala Sans’s warmth and legibility, especially at small sizes.
- Key Difference: A bit more condensed with subtle contrast.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
7. Noto Sans (Google, 2013)
- Style: Humanist Sans Serif
- Why It’s Similar: Neutral and versatile with proportions reminiscent of Scala Sans.
- Key Difference: Designed for extensive language coverage and UI use.
- Price & Availability: Free — Google Fonts.
Recommendation Summary Table
| Font Name | Similarity Score (1–5) | Free/Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| FF Meta | ★★★★★ | Paid | Editorial & corporate branding |
| Myriad Pro | ★★★★★ | Paid | Brand identities |
| FF Dax | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Friendly, contemporary design |
| Gill Sans Nova | ★★★★☆ | Paid | Heritage-inspired projects |
| Source Sans Pro | ★★★★☆ | Free | Digital platforms & UI |
| PT Sans | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Small text & UI labels |
| Noto Sans | ★★★☆☆ | Free | Multilingual projects |
Conclusion:
For a premium option closest to Scala Sans, FF Meta and Myriad Pro are excellent choices. If you prefer free fonts, Source Sans Pro offers a professional and versatile match, while Noto Sans adds global language support.
Typeface Similar to Font 