It may seem like a simple question: "What font does YouTube use?" But the answer is surprisingly complicated because there are various different YouTube fonts. We'll demystify everything for you in this article, and we'll go through some YouTube font alternatives.
What Font Does YouTube Use?
YouTube fonts vary depending on whether you're talking about the logo, video titles, comments, or other sections of the site. Let's go through each in turn.
What Font Does YouTube Use for Video Titles?
This one's quite straightforward. For video titles, YouTube uses Roboto, a highly legible typeface that Google uses for various services such as Android, Google Maps, and Google Play.
Learn more about Roboto and find alternatives here:
What Font Does YouTube Use for Comments?
For video descriptions and comments, YouTube also uses Roboto. So far, so easy.
What Font Does the YouTube Logo Use?
The YouTube logo font, however, looks quite different from the font used in the comments or video titles. That's because it is a different font altogether, and it's called YouTube Logo.
It's much bolder and quite condensed and is in fact a modified version of Alternate Gothic, a font designed by Morris Fuller Benton in 1903. The logo itself was designed by YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley in 2005.
Why is the YouTube logo in a different font? As one of the designers explains, the new YouTube typeface proved to be too much of a departure from the original logo, so the company decided to stick with the existing logo "as a nod to our past."
Now to complicate things just a bit more. There are also different versions of the YouTube logo for different services, and some don't even use any text at all. For example, here's the YouTube Shorts logo:
Now, What About YouTube Sans?
YouTube also has its own custom font called YouTube Sans, which it created in collaboration with various design agencies and launched in 2017. The typeface takes inspiration from the famous play icon, using the same angle to create cuts in some of the letterforms.
The YouTube design team made subtle changes to YouTube Sans over the years since 2017, such as adding rounded and italic versions. Here's the YouTube font italicized and rounded:
YouTube doesn't actually use YouTube Sans for either its logo or the video titles, descriptions, and comments, but it does use it in a lot of its marketing materials and for other services outside of regular YouTube videos. For example, here's the YouTube TV landing page, which uses YouTube Sans for the high-impact headlines and Roboto for the body text.
Now that we've answered all your questions about the various fonts that YouTube uses, let's take a look at some cool alternatives for YouTube's iconic logo font.
YouTube Font Alternatives
1. Denominary Condensed Font (TTF, OTF)
One of the things you'll notice about the YouTube logo font is that it's pretty bold and condensed. It is just these qualities that make Denominary a great alternative for the YouTube logo font. Denominary includes over 480 glyphs made up of stylistic variations, discretionary ligatures, extensive language support, and more.
2. Symfoner Modern Condensed Sans (TTF, OTF, WOF)
A great choice for branding and creating logos, Symfoner Modern Condensed Sans is a YouTube alternative you'll love.
3. Morgane Bold Condensed Sans(TTF, OTF, WOFF)
Check out Morgane Bold Condensed Sans when you need to create a logo with a similar vibe to the YouTube logo. This clean and modern font is also great for titles, signage, posters, and anything else you have in mind.
4. Monetizer Condensed Sans (TTF, OTF)
Monetizer Condensed Sans is one of those bold and modern fonts that stands out in its simplicity. This terrific font is perfect for a wide range of uses, from titles to branding.
5. Nebulon Modern Condensed Sans(TTF, OTF, WOFF)
This cool sans serif font is a great choice when you're looking for a YouTube logo font alternative. Nebulon Modern Condensed Sans will work beautifully for branding, magazine covers, product labels, titles, and more.
6. Brownland Modern Condensed Sans Serif(TTF, OTF, WOFF)
Brownland Modern Condensed Sans Serif is bold, strong, and certainly commands attention. That's exactly what you need when you're looking for a font to create a new logo and other design projects.
7. Balinese Culture Condensed Font (TTF, OTF)
You really can't go wrong with Balinese Culture Condensed Font. Balinese is a bold contemporary font with uppercase characters and accents for various languages. Use it for your logo and other creative projects.
8. Neohead Condensed Sans Serif Font (OTF)
The great thing about Neohead Condensed Sans Serif Font is that it offers over 240 glyphs to work with. This modern minimalist font includes both upper and lowercase characters and is great for both print and web-based projects.
9. Blonden Condensed Sans Serif(TTF, OTF, WOFF)
When it's boldness and clean lines that you're after, choose Blonden Condensed Sans Serif. This modern font is an excellent choice when you need a font similar to the YouTube logo font.
10. Kurdis Condensed Logo Font(TTF, OTF, WOFF)
Kurdis includes upper and lowercase characters, numbers, punctuation, symbols, and foreign language support. Use it to create a standout logo.
Download Your Favourite YouTube Fonts
In this article, we've looked at the YouTube logo font and other YouTube fonts, and we've covered some useful alternatives that you can download today and use right away. Feel free to browse Envato Elements for more options.
Or learn more about fonts and typography:
- 14 Fonts Similar to HelveticaGrace Fussell16 Feb 2023
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- What Are Variable Fonts?Grace Fussell29 Mar 2023
- What Fonts Are Trending Now and Font Trends for 2024Grace Fussell30 Nov 2023
- What Font Does Spotify Use?Nona Blackman30 Jun 2023
