Free calligraphy fonts

Formal written letterforms, with the weight distribution of a broad-nib pen.

About calligraphy typefaces

How to recognise it

  • The weight distribution of a pen: thick on the downstroke, thin on the upstroke.
  • Letters that join, or look as though they would.
  • A consistent slant across the whole alphabet.
  • Capitals with entry strokes designed to lead into a lowercase word.

Calligraphy or marker?

A calligraphic face follows the logic of a nib: the contrast is where the pen pressed. A marker face has an even stroke and the rhythm of everyday handwriting.

Marker fonts →

Where it works

Invitations, certificates, packaging, and titles where one or two words should look handmade.

Where it does not

Capitals, letter-spacing and small sizes. All three break the joins that make the script work.

8 fonts

Dancing Script

Impallari Type

Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow

Handwriting · Variable · 4 weights · OFL · Türkçe

Great Vibes

Robert Leuschke

Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow

Handwriting · 1 weight · OFL · Türkçe

Pinyon Script

Nicole Fally

Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow

Handwriting · 1 weight · OFL · Türkçe

Tangerine

Toshi Omagari

Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow

Handwriting · 2 weights · OFL

Italianno

Robert Leuschke

Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow

Handwriting · 1 weight · OFL · Türkçe

Allura

Robert Leuschke

Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow

Handwriting · 1 weight · OFL · Türkçe

Alex Brush

Robert Leuschke

Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow

Handwriting · 1 weight · OFL · Türkçe

Questions

What is a calligraphy font?
Formal written letterforms, with the weight distribution of a broad-nib pen. The weight distribution of a pen: thick on the downstroke, thin on the upstroke.
When should I use a calligraphy typeface?
Invitations, certificates, packaging, and titles where one or two words should look handmade. Where it does not work: capitals, letter-spacing and small sizes. All three break the joins that make the script work.
What is the difference between calligraphy and marker fonts?
A calligraphic face follows the logic of a nib: the contrast is where the pen pressed. A marker face has an even stroke and the rhythm of everyday handwriting.
Are these calligraphy fonts free for commercial use?
Yes. All 8 of them are published under licences that permit commercial use — the SIL Open Font License, the Apache License 2.0, the Ubuntu Font Licence or a release into the public domain — with no fee and no credit required. Every download on this site includes the licence file inside the zip.