Typography Pairing: A Practical Guide for Non-Designers
Guide
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6 min read
Start With Contrast, Not Matching
The instinct when pairing fonts is to find two typefaces that feel similar. Do the opposite. Strong pairings rely on contrast — a serif with a sans-serif, a heavy display face with a light, neutral body font.
A Simple Formula
Pick one typeface for headlines that has personality, and one for body text that disappears into the background. The headline face can be expressive, condensed, or unusual. The body face should prioritize readability above all else.
If you're stuck, pair a geometric sans for headers with a humanist sans for body copy — it's a reliable combination that works across almost any brand tone, from playful to corporate.
