Free alternatives to Neue Haas Grotesk

The best free alternative to Neue Haas Grotesk is Inter, with Inter Tight for headlines where you want letters set close together. Schibsted Grotesk and Instrument Sans are good picks for a little more character.

  • 6 free alternatives
  • Free for commercial use
  • Updated November 2026

At a glance

FontMatchWeightsItalicsBest for
InterClose match100 to 900YesInterfaces and body text
Inter TightClose match100 to 900YesBig headlines
Schibsted GroteskSimilar feel400 to 900YesNews and editorial UI
Instrument SansSimilar feel400 to 700YesPrecise, compact layouts
Hanken GroteskSimilar feel100 to 900YesClean UI and body text
Work SansSimilar feel100 to 900YesPlain headlines with character

The 6 best free alternatives

Same widths: drawn to the same letter widths, so nothing reflows. Close match: nearest look. Similar feel: same mood, different details.

  1. Inter

    Close match

    Best alternative

    Neutral and even, with weights from 100 to 900. The free default for a Swiss look.

  2. Inter Tight

    Close match

    Inter with tighter spacing, made for big headlines like Neue Haas Grotesk Display.

  3. Schibsted Grotesk

    Similar feel

    A grotesque made for a news brand. Plain, with a bit more warmth.

  4. Instrument Sans

    Similar feel

    A precise, slightly condensed grotesque with a width axis.

  5. Hanken Grotesk

    Similar feel

    A clean grotesque with weights from 100 to 900.

  6. Work Sans

    Similar feel

    A grotesque with more personality in the heavy weights.

Pair it with

Curated pairings that use these alternatives.

About Neue Haas Grotesk

Neue Haas Grotesk is the 1957 typeface by Max Miedinger that was later renamed Helvetica. Christian Schwartz drew a digital revival of the original design in 2010.

Designed by
Max Miedinger, 1957. Revival by Christian Schwartz, 2010.
License
Paid
Best free match
Inter

Questions about Neue Haas Grotesk

Is Neue Haas Grotesk free?

No. It needs a paid license for websites, apps and most commercial work.

What is the closest free font to Neue Haas Grotesk?

Inter, or Inter Tight for headlines.

Is Neue Haas Grotesk the same as Helvetica?

It's the original 1957 design that was later renamed Helvetica. The modern revival keeps details that changed in later versions of Helvetica.

What font pairs well with Inter?

Inter pairs well with a serif for headings, like Instrument Serif or Libre Baskerville.

More font alternatives

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