Microsoft Sans Serif alternatives. Closest free font by our measurements: Miedinger, score 86.
Miedinger (86) edges out Almarai (83) as the free font nearest Microsoft Sans Serif; Zalando Sans comes third at 81 of the 24 we measured.
5 / 5
Score 86 · closest by measurements
Miedinger
Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow
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Microsoft Sans Serif
Against Microsoft Sans Serif: x-height 1.3% taller, 1.1% narrower, and 2.5% lighter.
Letters that differ most from Microsoft Sans Serif: d, i, and j.
Styles: 2 weights, with italics.
- ✓Web
- ✓Logo
- ✓Selling
- OFL 1.1
5 of the 24 reach 80 against Microsoft Sans Serif.
Which Microsoft Sans Serif alternative to pick
Choose Miedinger for Microsoft Sans Serif if measured similarity has priority: it scores 86, with letters 1.1% narrower and ink 2.5% lighter. Zalando Sans offers Microsoft Sans Serif projects 8 weights and italics but runs 6.6% wider; Opening Hours Sans stays closer in width, only 1.2% wider, with just 1 weight.
Where Miedinger and Microsoft Sans Serif differ
01 / Where the difference shows
d, i, and j: Miedinger parts from Microsoft Sans Serif most here
Miedinger keeps Microsoft Sans Serif’s width within 1.1%; the widest gap is 2.5% lighter.
The lab puts no difference label on Miedinger against Microsoft Sans Serif.
- x-height+1.3%
- Width−1.1%
- Weight−2.5%
Every free font measured against Microsoft Sans Serif
| Free font | Score | x-height | Width | Weight | Contrast | Letters that differ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miedinger | 86 | +1.3% | −1.1% | −2.5% | none recorded | d i j |
| Almarai | 83 | −0.8% | −1.8% | −4.3% | −14% | 2 3 i |
| Zalando Sans | 81 | −0.8% | +6.6% | −5.2% | −6% | 1 J Q |
| Opening Hours Sans | 81 | +0.4% | +1.2% | −3.2% | −1.7% | 1 l o |
| Aspekta | 80 | +0.4% | +4.7% | −6.6% | −12% | l d |
| Pliant | 79 | +0.4% | +9.4% | −1.3% | −2.4% | a 0 d |
| Liter | 79 | +0.4% | +1.7% | −4.8% | −14% | none recorded |
| Rag | 79 | +0.4% | +12% | −6.7% | −7.9% | 7 M t |
| Switzer | 78 | +2.5% | +4.1% | −5.4% | −10% | 1 7 8 |
| BDO Grotesk | 78 | +9.1% | +13% | −1.2% | −11% | O d 7 |
| Kecal | 78 | −1.6% | +2.4% | +0.4% | −5.4% | o t b |
| Hedvig Letters Sans | 78 | +0.4% | +5.8% | −7.8% | +2.9% | Q i d |
| Special Gothic | 77 | −2.7% | −3.2% | −6% | −4.6% | g d t |
| Roboto | 76 | +2% | +1.8% | +0.3% | −7.5% | O Q G |
| Inter | 76 | +5.4% | +9.4% | −11% | −14% | o i j |
| Spline Sans | 75 | +5.3% | +6.4% | −4.6% | −12% | 9 Q i |
| Golos Text | 75 | +2.3% | +11% | −11% | −15% | l d 1 |
| Archivo | 74 | +1.5% | +1.2% | −3.2% | −6% | O g Q |
| Miranda Sans | 73 | +0.4% | +6.7% | −5.9% | −15% | Q O l |
| Estedad | 73 | −5.6% | +8.4% | −17% | +6.6% | O 7 i |
| Geist | 73 | +2.3% | +8.9% | −12% | −17% | 0 7 d |
| Mona Sans | 73 | +1.3% | +7.5% | −16% | −9.7% | a Q 7 |
| Gothic A1 | 73 | +1.4% | +2.5% | −17% | −9% | c 7 |
| Inter Tight | 72 | +5.4% | −0.9% | −5.9% | −15% | o i d |
Can I use these Microsoft Sans Serif alternatives for…
| Free font | Web | App | Logo | Selling | Commercial | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miedinger | ✓ | !* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Almarai | ✓ | !* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zalando Sans | ✓ | !* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
- * Miedinger, Almarai, and Zalando Sans, Microsoft Sans Serif alternatives inside an app: include the copyright notice and licence with the font files.
- OFL 1.1 text
- Full conditions for Microsoft Sans Serif alternatives
Microsoft Sans Serif alternatives: questions
What is the closest free alternative to Microsoft Sans Serif?
Miedinger scores 86 against Microsoft Sans Serif, ahead of Almarai (83) and Zalando Sans (81) among 24 free fonts.
Which Microsoft Sans Serif alternative is closest in size?
Miedinger matches Microsoft Sans Serif’s width most closely (1.1% narrower), and Opening Hours Sans its x-height (x-height 0.4% taller), of these 5.
How does Almarai differ from Microsoft Sans Serif?
Almarai scores 83 against Microsoft Sans Serif: x-height 0.8% shorter, 1.8% narrower, 4.3% lighter, and 14% less stroke contrast. Its 2, 3, and i differ most from Microsoft Sans Serif’s.
Which Microsoft Sans Serif alternative has the most weights?
Zalando Sans has the most of the Microsoft Sans Serif picks here, 8 weights and italics; Almarai has 4 weights, Miedinger has 2 weights, and Opening Hours Sans has 1 weight.
Can I use the Microsoft Sans Serif alternatives commercially?
Yes, all 5 free alternatives to Microsoft Sans Serif here allow commercial work.
Is Microsoft Sans Serif an open font?
No. Microsoft Sans Serif ships with Windows 11, Microsoft 365, and macOS Tahoe.
Paid fonts that share free alternatives with Microsoft Sans Serif
- Arial → RagShares Miedinger with Microsoft Sans Serif. Arial against Microsoft Sans Serif: x-height 0.1% taller, 0.2% narrower, 2.7% lighter, and 5.5% less stroke contrast.score 87
- Franklin Gothic Medium → Quilon3 free fonts measured against both, none among the closest to Microsoft Sans Serif. Franklin Gothic Medium against Microsoft Sans Serif: x-height 4.8% shorter, 3% narrower, 18% heavier, and 2.4% less stroke contrast.score 81
- Bahnschrift → Alte DIN 1451 Mittelschrift2 free fonts measured against both, none among the closest to Microsoft Sans Serifscore 100
About Microsoft Sans Serif
Microsoft Sans Serif is a neo-grotesque sans serif from Microsoft.
Microsoft Sans Serif is a font by Microsoft; FontForThat is not affiliated with Microsoft; this is an independent comparison.