Free alternatives to Trebuchet MS

The closest free alternatives to Trebuchet MS are Fira Sans and Ubuntu, humanist sans serifs with the same lively, open shapes.

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

At a glance

FontMatchWeightsItalicsBest for
Fira SansClose match100 to 900YesReadable UI text
UbuntuClose match300 to 700YesFriendly UI text
PT SansSimilar feel400 to 700YesSmall text and UI
CabinSimilar feel400 to 700YesFriendly body text
Source Sans 3Similar feel200 to 900YesInterfaces and long text

The 5 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. Fira Sans

    Close match

    Best alternative

    A humanist sans with weights from 100 to 900 and italics. Very readable on screens.

  2. Ubuntu

    Close match

    A humanist sans with weights from 300 to 700 and italics.

  3. PT Sans

    Similar feel

    A humanist sans with regular, bold and italics. Clear at small sizes.

  4. Cabin

    Similar feel

    A humanist sans with weights from 400 to 700 and italics. Friendly and easy to read.

  5. Source Sans 3

    Similar feel

    A clear humanist sans with weights from 200 to 900 and italics.

Pair it with

Curated pairings that use these alternatives.

About Trebuchet MS

Trebuchet MS was designed by Vincent Connare for Microsoft in 1996. It comes with Windows and macOS.

Designed by
Vincent Connare, 1996
License
Ships with Windows and macOS. Webfont use needs a license.
Best free match
Fira Sans
See Trebuchet MS on Fontpair

Questions about Trebuchet MS

Is Trebuchet MS free?

It comes with Windows and macOS, so you can use it in your own documents. Serving it as a webfont or embedding it in an app needs a license.

What is the closest free font to Trebuchet MS?

The closest free alternatives to Trebuchet MS are Fira Sans and Ubuntu, humanist sans serifs with the same lively, open shapes.

Is Trebuchet MS on Google Fonts?

No. Fira Sans, Ubuntu and PT Sans are the closest Trebuchet MS-style fonts on Google Fonts.

What font pairs well with Fira Sans?

Fira Sans pairs well with Abril Fatface, Playfair Display or Bitter.

More font alternatives

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