21 of the Best Subtitle Fonts

Designing subtitles can be tough. You want them to be readable and stylish, but you also need to make sure they match the tone of your project.

If you’re looking for some new subtitle fonts, look no further! We’ve gathered 21 of the best fonts for creating subtitles, so you can add that extra bit of polish to your next project. Check them out below.

Why are Subtitles Needed?

If you’ve ever watched a foreign film or TV show, you know how important subtitles can be. Not only do they provide a translation of the dialogue, but they also help to convey the emotion and tone of the scene.

Subtitle fonts can also be used to create a sense of rhythm and timing, making them an important tool for conveying meaning.

In addition, subtitle fonts can be used to make the text easier to read or to highlight key information.

Whether you’re watching a movie, social media videos, or reading a book, subtitles can be an essential part of the viewing experience.

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How to Use Subtitle Fonts Correctly

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing fonts for subtitles:

1. Choose the Right Font 

First, the font should be clear and easy to read. This is especially important if the video is being shown in a foreign language, as viewers will need to be able to read the subtitles quickly and accurately.

Second, the font should have good contrast with the background, so that it is easy to see even in dimly-lit movie theaters.

Additionally, the types of subtitle fonts you choose can add personality to your project. For example, a serif typeface may convey a feeling of warmth, tradition, and sophistication, while a sans serif subtitle may be seen as trendy, modern, and stylish.

With these criteria in mind, fonts for subtitles can be chosen that will help improve the viewing experience for everyone.

2. Choose the Right Position

The position of the subtitle on the page or screen can also impact its meaning. A subtitle that is centered may be seen as stable and reliable, while one that is positioned off to the side could be dynamic and exciting.

By carefully selecting the right font and choosing where to position it, you can ensure that your message is conveyed clearly and effectively.

Also, consider how to background impacts the necessary location. You don’t want subtitle text over an extremely busy background.

3. Choose the Right Size

If they’re too small, they’re difficult to read; if they’re too large, they dominate the screen and are a distraction. So what’s the secret to using subtitle fonts effectively?

The key is to find a balance between size and legibility. This also means avoiding fancy fonts or anything with thin or decorative details that might be difficult to read at a small size. 

By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure your subtitles are both easy to read and unobtrusive.

The Best Subtitle Fonts

With so many fonts available online, finding the best subtitle font for your needs can feel daunting. To help you sift through the many choices, we’ve rounded up 21 fonts that meet the criteria for the best subtitle fonts. From classic serifs to modern sans serifs, there’s a font on this list that’s perfect for every project. So go ahead and choose your favorite!

Arial

If you’re looking for a classic style subtitle font that’s probably already on your computer, Arial is a top choice. This sans serif font was designed by Robin Nicholas in the early ’80s and has been a popular font ever since due to its simplicity and high legibility.

This font is also available in Arial Black, but that might not be the best choice for longer subtitles. Instead, opt for Arial or Arial Bold.

Helvetica

Along with Times New Roman, Helvetica is one of the most used fonts of all time. It was invented in the late ’50s and is loved for its versatility. This sans serif font can give your subtitles a strong, modern feel.

Helvetica is available in a wide range of typefaces and styles, from thin to narrow to rounded and italic styles. But, the classic original version of the font (and perhaps the bold version) would produce the most readable subtitles.

Verdana

Verdana was the first font created to address the issues around computer pixel orientation. As a result, it renders really well at smaller sizes, making it a perfect subtitle font. It’s also much newer than Arial and Times New Roman, having been created in 1996, so it has a more modern aesthetic.

That said, it was created with the primary purpose of looking good at a small size, so every bit of extra detail has been removed. If you’re looking for something with more personality, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Roboto

Designed by Christian Robertson, Roboto is a solid choice for your video project. In fact, you may even recognize it as the default subtitle font for YouTube and Google.

It comes in a dozen styles, but the Regular and Medium styles are best suited for high-quality subtitles. Roboto has a distinctly mechanical and geometric structure that makes it a popular choice among designers.

Inter

Inter is another modern sans serif style font that was specifically designed for computer screens, making it another good choice for subtitles for video content. The tall x-height of this font makes it easy to read, even at smaller sizes.

Inter is available in several different widths from thin to black, but we recommend sticking to the Regular, Medium, and SemiBold styles for your video subtitles. 

Tiro Bangla

If you’ve been holding out for a sturdy serif font to use for your video subtitles, we haven’t forgotten you! Tiro Bangla was inspired by literary publishing but was created with the needs of digital publishing in mind.

Serif fonts have the effect of making your work look sophisticated and warm. However, they are best suited for shorter sentence subtitles, as the extra embellishments do reduce the legibility of the font.

Lato

Lato has a semi-rounded look to it that gives it an aesthetic of softness and warmth combined with the stability of a modern sans serif. It’s a good choice for video subtitles when you’re looking for a font that’s both serious and friendly.

Lato is available in a wide range of styles from thin to black and italic. Like most of the fonts on this list, we recommend choosing the Regular and possibly the Bold versions for your subtitles. When you use the Black style, the space between letters becomes too narrow and, thus, your subtitles become harder to read.

Open Sans

If Open Sans looks familiar to you, that’s because it’s the default typeface for many popular websites, including some of Google’s pages. It has neutral, friendly, upright letterforms and excellent legibility — all characteristics you’d want in your subtitles font.

While it is available in a range of options, Open Sans Regular, Medium, and SemiBold styles would be best suited for your subtitles.

Vollkorn

Vollkorn is German for “whole meal” and this font is meant to be an all-around font that can do it all — body copy, headlines, and yes — even subtitles.

It’s a good subtitle option for being a serif typeface family because it has “meaty” serifs and there’s not too much contrast between thick and thin. We do recommend you avoid using the Black and Italic styles for your subtitles.

Fanwood

Fanwood is another serif font option. This font was specifically tailored for increased readability on digital devices and mobile screens, and for that reason, it’s a good option for your subtitles.

As with the other serif fonts, however, limit your use to shorter subtitles and leave them on the screen for a longer time than you would with sans serif subtitles.

Visby

Visby is a modern geometric sans serif font. The designer says it was inspired by the beauty and crisp air of the Arctic. That inspiration can be seen in the hard lines, sharp edges, and smooth curves of the letters. Despite being inspired by the Arctic, it has a warm and friendly appearance.

Visby is available in eight weights, but you should avoid using the thinnest and boldest versions for your subtitles.

Articulat

Here’s a bold, crisp, clear sans serif option with a midcentury modern vibe. If you’re looking for a strong structure, precise kerning, and a bit of a retro aesthetic, give this typeface a try.

Articulat is available in ten different weights, so you’re sure to find the one that works perfectly for your target audience. 

Greycliff

Here’s a geometric sans serif that combines classic construction and stability with softened edges. It could be the perfect mixture of hard and soft, straight and curved, modern and classic.

Greycliff comes in nine weights with matching obliques, but you should avoid the lightest and heaviest weights for your choice for video subtitles.

RNS Miles

High-quality subtitles should be easy to read, first and foremost. RNS Miles was designed specifically for headlines, titles, and subtitles and legibility is one of its key features.

This geometric sans combines low contrast shapes with smooth curves to create a modern, friendly, highly legible option for your subtitles.

Gilroy

Here’s another modern sans with geometric touches — a perfect choice for smooth subtitle fonts. Characterized by sharp straight lines and ultra-round lower-case letters, Gilroy is simple, yet artistic. It can look retro or futuristic. Its versatility makes it a popular pick for designers. 

Stark

If you’re working on a sci-fi type project that calls for a modern sans serif with a minimalist vibe, check out Stark. This typeface has some unique personality while remaining a legible font, which we’ve shown by now to be the most important feature in subtitles. Stark is available in five weights and five italics. Depending on your video background color and your subtitle color, any one of the available weights could be a contender.

Preface

Fresh, modern, clean — most importantly, highly legible. Preface is a simple sans serif typeface family that’s perfect for a standard subtitle. It’s available in three weights and any of them would be appropriate for a subtitle, depending on where and how you’re using them. 

Alyssum

Alyssum is a lovely geometric sans serif with a minimalistic, feminine aesthetic. Be sure to only use this one with short sentences and subtitles, however, as the font is only available in all uppercase letters and is best shown at a larger size than most subtitles. 

Cansu

If you’re holding out for a sans serif option with a touch of class, you’ve found it. Cansu has a contemporary, feminine, stylish vibe. It is available in five different styles — Light, Regular, Round, Bold, and Outline. We don’t recommend using the Outline version for your subtitles, but the other styles are all well-suited.

Gilsock

Classic and timeless are two words the font designer used to describe Gilsock. Perhaps that’s because it has a bit of retro-styling. The font is also versatile, bold, geometric, and perfectly suited for subtitles with a unique look.

Adon

Adon is another great choice for your subtitles, especially when you’re looking for something with a unique look. It has a formal feel, somewhat condensed, but it’s still easy on the eyes. It isn’t casual, but it feels friendly. Adon comes in Regular, Thin, Bold, and Extra Bold weights, and all of them are suitable for subtitles.

Put These Subtitle Fonts to Use

Now that you have a few tips and some great fonts to work with, it’s time to start creating subtitles that look amazing. Remember to choose the right font for the tone of your project and use it in the correct position and size. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to create subtitles that are both stylish and easy to read. Start experimenting with different fonts today and see what looks best for your next project!