Top 10 Google Fonts for 2021

Thanks for the amazing response everyone! You can view the updated list for my Top 10 Google Fonts for 2022, here.

The world has absolutely changed in the last 12 months, and that can certainly create uncertainty going forward and what trends we may see for typography and fonts in 2021. These fonts, all found on Google Fonts are great to use for your next web or print based design. Some of these fonts are tried and tested, standing the test of time even in a very difficult 2020. Some are brand new, making their way onto websites, screens and print media right around the world. And, others I’ve felt could be standout fonts in 2021. Nevertheless, these will be popular fonts in 2021 and the beauty of them is that they can be found through Google Fonts.

Top 10 Google Fonts 2021

What’s great about all these fonts is that they all have different characteristics. Some are modern, some bold, some sans-serif, serif, variable – the list goes on. And, that’s what is great about typography is how different fonts can be used to really personalise and individualise projects.

Lets take a look at my top 10 Google Fonts for 2021.

1. Rubik

Rubik is a slightly rounded sans serif font family designed by Philipp Hubert and Sebastian Fischer at Hubert & Fischer. It’s beautiful in use, providing a clean and is very readable. The great thing about Rubik is that it’s Variable meaning that sizing and styles are almost limitless.

2. Anton

Only available in one condensed, bold style, Anton is a re-creation of many traditional sans-serif typefaces. It’s deliberately been redesigned for web use with opened counters and stems that are perfect for web. I can see this typeface being used for many projects particularly in hero images or banners to make a bold statement.

3. IBM Plex Sans

Already one of my favourite typefaces, IBM Plex Sans captures IBM’s spirit and history in this unique font aimed at demonstrating the relationship between machine and mankind. Available in Sans, Sans Condensed, Mono and Serif, this typeface has so much versitility, and all varations can suit any projects needs. I feel as though we’re so lucky to have this font on Google Fonts to use for projects as the quality seems a cut above a lot of other fonts.

4. Balsamiq Sans

I’ve been a long time user of Balsamiq Wireframes for my wireframes for web pages, so I’m so glad to see a Balsamiq Sans typeface available on Google Fonts. I can see this font taking off in 2021 and getting a lot of use, especially for the more friendly, family orientated websites or adventure websites – something that needs a calming font to allow the website to communicate effectively.

5. Playfair Display

How nice is this font? Such a lovely, presentable Google Font, Playfair Display oozes a certain amount of class needed. Very traditional in design, it’s serif background stems from ink and pointed steel pens, giving it a certain historical touch. It’s also a variable font which is what’s needed in 2021 to hit the mark.

6. Oxygen

Need a font for graphical user interfaces (GUI), desktops and devices? Oxygen is the perfect sans-serif font, optimised for the FreeType font rendering system. I can see this font being used in 2021 similar to Roboto or Open Sans in a big way, and with similar characteristics, theres no reason why it shouldn’t!

7. Poppins

Poppins has been red hot in 2020, and it’s one of my favourite Google Fonts. I can see it being hugely popular in 2021, also. It’s extremely versatile, with a nice geometric edge to it. It’s a style that’s been extremely popular where each letterform is nearly monolinear and a beautiful typeface thanks to the Indian Type Foundary. I can’t wait to use this Google Font in 2021!

8. Roboto

Roboto is the most popular font on Google Fonts 2020. And, I can see Roboto potentially holding its title in 2021. Extremely versatile, unoffensive and a really simple and easy to use sans-serif font. It’s quite geometric in shape and structure with friendly and open curves. And, what’s also great, is its readability at both large and small sizes. It’s hard to see Roboto being used less, in fact it could be up there with the likes of Arial and Helvetica in terms of usage.

9. Space Grotesk

I can see Space Grotesk being used widely now that’s it is well established. It’s only a couple of years old, designed in 2018, but what I love about it is the idiosyncrasies that make this font so damn good to look at. I can see web fonts in 2021 having a bit more risk, and I think something that has most of the characteristics of a stable sans-serif, with with a quirky nature like Space Grostesk, starting to be more widely used.

10. Major Mono Display

One out of left field is Major Mono Display, a very monospaced geometric sans-serif that only comes in all-uppercase. But it’s extremely playful, and would be a great choice for a quirky website especially for web-banners and used in a larger size. Would I use this Google Font on a lot of projects? Probably not. I’d be very selective in using it, but certainly if the opportunity were to come up to design a website with a lot of impact, and abstract in nature, I’d be tempted to use this in 2021 for sure.