Free fonts for commercial use are fonts whose license explicitly lets you use them in paid work: logos, websites, packaging, ads, products and client projects. The safest ones are released under the SIL Open Font License (OFL), the Apache License 2.0 or CC0, and you will find thousands of them on Google Fonts. This guide explains what those licenses mean, what to check before you download, and gives real examples that are safe to use.
What “commercial use” means
Commercial use is anything connected to making money or promoting a business. That includes a logo, a company website, social media ads, product labels, merchandise, a book you sell, a YouTube channel with ads, and design work for a client. A font marked “free” is not necessarily free for any of these. Many fonts are free for personal use only, such as party invitations, school projects or a private gift.
The main free licenses explained
| License | Commercial use? | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|
| SIL Open Font License (OFL) 1.1 | Yes | You can use, embed, bundle and modify the font. You may not sell the font file on its own, and modified versions must not use the reserved font name. |
| Apache License 2.0 | Yes | You may use, modify and distribute it. Redistribution requires including the license and notices. |
| CC0 (public domain dedication) | Yes | No conditions; the creator waives their rights where the law allows. |
| Fontshare (ITF Free Font License) | Yes | Free for personal and commercial use. The files cannot be resold or redistributed. |
| “Free for personal use” | No | You need a separate commercial license from the designer. |
| “Donationware” | Varies | Read the license. It may ask for a payment for commercial use. |
OFL in plain English
The SIL Open Font License is the most common license in the free font world. It lets you use the font in printed work, apps, websites, videos and logos. The main limits are about distribution: you cannot sell the font itself on its own, and if you modify it, you must rename it if the license reserves the name. You generally do not need to credit the designer, but doing so is courteous.
Apache License 2.0
Apache 2.0 is a permissive software license that some fonts use. Roboto is a well-known example that has been distributed under Apache 2.0, though newer releases and different packages may use different terms, so check the license shown on the download page. If you bundle the font in an app, include the license text.
CC0
CC0 is a public-domain-style dedication that lets you use the work with no conditions. Fonts under CC0 are rarer than OFL ones, but they exist, typically from individual designers and game asset creators. Verify the license on the original source rather than a re-upload on a third-party site.
Real examples that are safe to use
| Font | Where | License | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter | Google Fonts | OFL | Websites, apps, documents |
| Montserrat | Google Fonts | OFL | Headlines, logos, posters |
| Poppins | Google Fonts | OFL | Branding, social graphics |
| Lora | Google Fonts | OFL | Blogs, print, editorial |
| Playfair Display | Google Fonts | OFL | Fashion, hospitality, wedding stationery |
| Satoshi | Fontshare | ITF Free Font License | Brand identities, websites |
| General Sans | Fontshare | ITF Free Font License | Interfaces, decks, editorial |
For the Google Fonts entries above, you can confirm the license on each family’s page at fonts.google.com. For Fontshare fonts, read the license page.
What to check before you download
- The license name. Look for OFL, Apache 2.0, CC0, or a plain statement that commercial use is allowed.
- The source. Use the designer’s page or a trusted library, not a random “free font” site that re-uploads fonts. Re-uploads often strip the license file, or apply the wrong label.
- The license file in the ZIP. Save it with your project records.
- Your use case. Some licenses restrict certain uses, such as embedding in an app, selling on print-on-demand products, or using in a logo. Check each.
- Whether you are modifying it. If you edit the outlines or make a derived font, the OFL’s naming rule applies. Converting text to outlines in a logo is a normal use.
- Whether you need to credit. Most open licenses do not require attribution for ordinary use, but some terms do. If a license says to attribute, do so.
Is it safe to use free fonts in a logo?
Usually yes when the license permits commercial use, and the OFL does. However, a logo built from a free font that thousands of other people also use is not exclusive, and you cannot trademark a font itself. If distinctiveness matters, modify the letterforms, combine the font with a custom mark, or commission something bespoke. The license for any one font is the final word, so read it first. If you plan to use the fonts in Canva, our guide on uploading fonts to Canva covers the license check for that workflow.
Free fonts on UrbanFonts
The UrbanFonts library includes fonts by many designers. Each font is licensed by its designer, and the font page states whether it is free for personal use, free for commercial use or requires a license. Check that label and the license file inside each download before using a font in paid work. If you only want open-licensed families, a library like Google Fonts is a simpler route. See the font identification guide if you need to track down the license for a font you already have.
Common mistakes
- Assuming “free download” means “free to use commercially.” It does not.
- Using a font shown on a design site without checking its source. Template fonts are often licensed per template.
- Sharing font files with a client. Under many licenses you can include the font in your deliverable (such as an outlined logo) but not hand over the font file. Send them the license and download link instead, and always read the terms.
- Forgetting subscription terms. Fonts included with Adobe Fonts or Canva Pro have their own rules, which differ from open licenses.
Which option should you choose?
- Web or app projects: Google Fonts, because the OFL covers embedding and self-hosting.
- Brand identity: Fontshare or Google Fonts, with the license saved in your project folder.
- Anything where you hand over files: Open licenses such as OFL, where redistribution rules are clearest.
- Decorative display fonts: Check the license of each individual font and contact the designer if it only says “free.”
Frequently asked questions
Are Google Fonts free for commercial use?
Yes. All Google Fonts families are open-licensed, mostly under the SIL Open Font License (some use Apache 2.0 or other open licenses), which allows commercial use. Check the license on each family’s page.
What does OFL mean for fonts?
OFL stands for SIL Open Font License. It lets you use, embed and modify a font for commercial and personal projects. You cannot sell the font file by itself, and modified versions must follow its renaming rule.
Can I use a free font in a logo?
If the license allows commercial use, usually yes. The OFL allows it. Remember that a free font is not exclusive, so consider customizing the lettering so the logo is distinctive.
Is Fontshare free for commercial use?
Yes. Fontshare fonts can be used for personal and commercial work under the ITF Free Font License. You may not resell or redistribute the font files.
What if a font says free but has no license?
Treat it as not cleared. Find the original designer or foundry, check their official page, and ask for written permission before using it commercially.
