In great mobile UIs, text rarely stands out—because good typography blends in naturally. Still, the right font conveys emotion, directs user attention, and establishes a unique brand identity. Bad typography, on the other hand, is glaringly obvious. Even non-designers notice something “off” when the typeface is ill-suited, leading to poor brand perception.
All too often, designers stick to trendy or “safe” fonts—think Roboto or Lato—without truly considering how best to serve the project. Sure, mastering typography can be tricky, but pairing your design with a clear typographic strategy is a force multiplier. It helps you stand out, choose the perfect font for every situation, and elevate user experiences.
We created this guide to highlight our top picks for free fonts that still feel fresh, modern, and versatile enough for mobile UI design. Each one can be used for both personal and commercial projects. But first, let’s quickly revisit some typography basics so you can make the most of these fonts.
Typography Essentials for Modern UI
Display vs. Text Styles
A “display” typeface is meant for large-scale headings—like H1s in your app’s onboarding screens or marketing banners. Meanwhile, “text” styles work best for body copy, labels, and UI elements at smaller sizes. The short rule of thumb: use “text” fonts for high-volume, smaller text sections, and “display” fonts for big headlines. Display text can support the brand and may not be as easy to read. We can use more decorative or serif versions of fonts, or Display variants for text fonts (e.g. Inter Tight for Inter).
Base Font Size
In most modern UIs (especially for mobile), 16px is a common starting point for paragraphs and default labels. Think of it this way: you want phone text to be about as readable as a well-printed book at a comfortable viewing distance. The minimum font size for mobile apps should not exceed 10px. However, we must always take into account the specific font family when determining sizes.
Line Height
Legibility depends a lot on line height (or leading). For body text around 16px, a line height of about 1.5–2× is generally a good range—though you should tweak until it “feels right.” As text sizes get larger (for headings or hero displays), you can decrease line height to around 1–1.25×.
Letter Spacing
When using one typeface for both display (large headings) and body text, it helps to tweak letter spacing for big, bold headings. Figma only lets you define letter spacing in percentages, so remember that if you’re handing off to devs, you might need a pixel or em/rem value. Subtle negative letter spacing can make big text look more refined.
How to Choose the Right Font
Ultimately, choosing the perfect typeface comes down to quality and purpose. Look for fonts with multiple weights (Light, Regular, Medium, Semibold, Bold) and thorough character sets. If you’re new, start with simpler sans serifs or proven fonts that have a track record of success in UI. Sometimes, it’s better to rely on a single robust type family rather than juggling multiple fonts in one design. Narrower font cuts are generally better for a more serious tone of communication, while thicker cuts are more playful.
20 Best Fonts for Modern Mobile UI
Below you’ll find 20 free typefaces that work beautifully for mobile UIs—particularly in apps where clarity and a modern feel matter.
1. Inter
Designer: Rasmus Andersson
Inter is an open-source sans-serif built for screens, featuring a large x-height that enhances legibility even on small displays. It offers nine weights plus matching italics, as well as a variable font version. Since it’s free for both personal and commercial use, Inter is a go-to for many app designers who want a clean and versatile typeface that handles both headlines and body text gracefully.
2. DM Sans
Designer: Colophon Foundry (commissioned by Google)
A minimal, geometric sans that excels in smaller text sizes. DM Sans has a pleasing roundness, making it friendly and approachable. Because it’s under the Open Font License, it’s free to use for any project, and it suits everything from chat apps to quick-loading landing pages.
3. Plus Jakarta Sans
Designer: Gumpita Rahayu
Inspired by classic geometric sans serifs but with subtle humanist details, Plus Jakarta Sans is highly versatile. Its multiple weights and round letterforms make it ideal for tech startups or mobile dashboards. It’s often praised for its stylish but readable look on phone screens.
4. Satoshi
Designer: indestructible type
Satoshi is a modernist sans serif that feels crisp yet welcoming. With multiple weights and a slightly wider structure, it’s easy to read on smaller device screens. Designers love pairing it with minimal color schemes in sleek, contemporary apps.
5. Mona Sans
Designer: Degarism
Mona Sans was developed by Degarism Studio to be an open-source typeface that’s consistent, professional, and highly legible for code snippets, dashboards, or general UI. It has a variety of weights and is free to use, making it a strong default choice for modern apps.
6. San Francisco (SF)
Designer: Apple
Apple’s system font for iOS, macOS, and watchOS. Though commercial usage might have some restrictions, you can freely use SF in your Apple-related prototypes. It’s carefully engineered for clarity on small screens, supporting dynamic type and multiple languages.
7. Hubot Sans
Designer: Degarism
Hubot Sans is a clean, geometric sans serif used heavily in tech-oriented products. It’s free for commercial use, making it a reliable alternative if you want a consistent style similar to GitHub’s UI but with your own branding accents.
8. Geist
Designer: Vercel Studio
Geist takes inspiration from Swiss-style typography, featuring minimal stroke contrast and geometric shapes. Its open license allows for free use in personal and commercial apps, and it pairs well with bold accent colors in cutting-edge UI designs.
9. Space Grotesk
Designer: Florian Karsten Studio
A display-oriented version of Space Mono, Space Grotesk has a bit of a futuristic charm. It’s excellent for headlines in sci-fi or tech-themed apps, and it remains quite readable at moderate text sizes. Perfect if you want something unique and modern.
10. Figtree
Designer: Erik Keneddy
Figtree is a strong multi-purpose font with rounded corners and a balanced letterform. Its neutral style makes it blend well with almost any design language—especially those leaning toward minimalist app interfaces.
11. General Sans
Designer: Indian Type Foundry
General Sans is a functional yet friendly sans serif, boasting multiple weights and open-source licensing. Designers appreciate its well-proportioned curves and straightforward shapes that provide a crisp, modern vibe in apps where clarity is paramount.
12. Lexend
Designer: Bonnie Shaver-Troup & Thomas Jockin
Lexend was specifically designed to increase reading speed and comprehension, making it an accessible choice for body text in content-heavy apps. It’s widely available through Google Fonts and is known for improving readability for a range of users.
13. Manrope
Designer: Mikhail Sharanda
Manrope merges geometric shapes with organic strokes, giving it a distinct presence. With seven weights and a variable version, it covers everything from small UI labels to large hero text. Ideal for clean, modern designs that need a subtle uniqueness.
14. Gilroy (Free for some weights)
Designer: Radomir Tinkov
Gilroy is a lighthearted geometric sans. While only a few weights are free, they’re enough to create a cohesive look in a mobile UI. It has excellent spacing for medium-sized text and can bring a friendly yet stylish touch to social or lifestyle apps.
15. Switzer
Designer: Pangram Pangram
Switzer is a classic, Swiss-inspired sans serif with subtle modern details. Minimalist and straightforward, it’s perfect for design dashboards or data-heavy screens that need a no-nonsense look. The free version includes select weights suitable for most UI needs.
16. Supreme
Designer: Pangram Pangram
Supreme is known for its crisp geometry and bold character at larger sizes, making it a fantastic display type. If you’re aiming for a minimalist but bold design, try Supreme for your headings and pair it with a simpler body text font.
17. FF Din (Free trial weights)
Designer: FontFont
DIN-based fonts have a distinct industrial feel. Some free cuts of FF Din are available for personal or limited commercial usage. If you want a structured, high-tech vibe, FF Din’s tight spacing and mechanical forms can elevate your UI.
18. Aperçu (Demo weights)
Designer: Colophon Foundry
Aperçu is a beloved sans serif used by many creative brands. While the full family is premium, you can sometimes access limited free/demo weights. Its quirkiness stands out in headings, yet still remains readable for smaller text.
19. Circular (Some free variations exist)
Designer: LLineto
Circular is famously used by Spotify. While fully licensed versions are paid, you might find partial free weights or “inspired” versions. If you’re aiming for a friendly, circular aesthetic that pairs well with a variety of color palettes, Circular remains a top choice.
20. Be Vietnam Pro
Designer: Lâm Bảo, Tony Le, ViệtAnh Nguyễn
With multilingual support and a variety of weights, Be Vietnam Pro stands out as an all-rounder for both headings and body. It was developed for Vietnamese typography but also reads beautifully in English. The open license makes it accessible for any kind of app design.
Discovering New Typefaces
Picking the perfect font can be challenging, even for experienced designers. There’s no need to rush into expensive, premium typefaces that might cost hundreds of dollars. Start by experimenting with high-quality free fonts in your project. If you decide you need a more specialized or premium typeface, you can always upgrade later.
Helpful resources for exploring typefaces
Typewolf
Curated by Jeremiah Shoaf, Typewolf is a fantastic destination for discovering premium and free fonts, plus real-world examples of each typeface in use.
Fonts In Use
An online archive letting you browse thousands of projects indexed by typeface and format. Great for seeing how fonts work in real-world branding, packaging, or editorial contexts.
Google Fonts
A massive library of free, open-source fonts—often the first stop for quick exploration, especially for app designs or smaller budgets.
Adobe Fonts
Formerly Typekit, offers a wide selection of high-quality fonts if you have an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.
MyFonts
Boasts over 130,000 typefaces, including free and paid ones. Perfect if you want to do a deep dive into specific styles.
Additionally, if you’re seeking a streamlined approach to setting up your Figma workflow—complete with pre-designed layouts, color variables, typography scales, and hundreds of UI components—look no further than Appetite UI. It’s a comprehensive design kit that embraces modern Figma features (Auto Layout, variables, custom components) and is constantly updated to reflect best practices. By pairing a quality font family (like one of the twenty above) with Appetite UI’s system, you’ll have a rock-solid foundation for creating stunning, user-friendly mobile apps faster than ever.
Typography is more than just letters on a screen; it’s a key driver of user experience, brand perception, and overall readability. Every project might have its own subtle needs—some require a playful, round typeface, while others need a clean, neutral design. But starting with these 20 free fonts gives you a strong baseline for almost any mobile app interface in 2025.
Try them out, adjust your line heights, letter spacing, and see which one resonates most with your project’s identity. Once you nail the font, your UI design will feel more cohesive, professional, and user-friendly—and that’s exactly what modern app users demand.
