Inconsolata - Free Font Download

About Inconsolata

Source: Google Fonts ↗
Classification: mono
Weights: Variable (100-900)
Features: Variable

SIL Open Font License 1.1

Free to use, modify, and distribute. Can be used commercially without attribution.

Inconsolata is a free monospace font designed by Raph Levien, created specifically as an open-source alternative to Consolas. Released in 2006, it was one of the first high-quality free coding fonts available.

History and Design

Raph Levien designed Inconsolata to provide a free font with similar characteristics to Consolas—humanist touches within a monospace structure. The design uses subtle curves and carefully balanced proportions to create a warm, readable coding experience without the licensing restrictions of proprietary fonts.

Why Inconsolata is a Classic

Inconsolata has stood the test of time as a coding font staple:

Consolas alternative: Explicitly designed to match its feel
Humanist warmth: Curved strokes add personality
Pioneer status: One of the first quality free coding fonts
Google Fonts integration: Easy to use in web projects
Variable font update: Modern version with weight axis

Technical Features

Weight range: 200-900 (Variable font with wide range)
Humanist design: Subtle curves within monospace constraints
Clear differentiation: Distinct forms for similar characters
Screen optimization: Designed for on-screen reading
Web-friendly: Widely available and well-supported

Best Use Cases

Inconsolata excels in:

Code editors: Classic choice for comfortable coding
Web applications: Easy embedding via Google Fonts
Documentation: Clean, readable code samples
Cross-platform projects: Consistent appearance everywhere

Usage Tips

Inconsolata works best at medium sizes (12-16px for screens). Use weight 400 for regular code, 500-600 for emphasis. For newer features like ligatures, consider pairing with Fira Code or JetBrains Mono. Inconsolata's humanist character pairs well with similarly warm sans-serifs like Lato or Source Sans Pro.

Alternative For (2)

Inconsolata is a free alternative to the following premium fonts:

#1 Consolas 90%

[Microsoft] · mono

Designed specifically as a free Consolas alternative with similar proportions

View all alternatives →

#2 Monaco 75%

[Apple] · mono

Humanist monospace with similar practical approach to code display

View all alternatives →

How to Use Inconsolata

Copy these code snippets to quickly add Inconsolata to your project.

CSS Import

@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inconsolata:wght@100..900&display=swap');

HTML Link Tags

<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inconsolata:wght@100..900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">

Tailwind CSS

// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
  theme: {
    extend: {
      fontFamily: {
        'inconsolata': ['Inconsolata', 'sans-serif'],
      },
    },
  },
}

// Usage in HTML:
// <p class="font-inconsolata">Your text here</p>

React / Next.js

// Using next/font (Next.js 13+)
import { Inconsolata } from 'next/font/google';

const inconsolata = Inconsolata({
  subsets: ['latin'],
  weight: ['100', '200', '300', '400', '500', '600', '700', '800', '900'],
});

export default function Component() {
  return (
    <p className={inconsolata.className}>
      Your text here
    </p>
  );
}

// Or using inline styles with Google Fonts link:
// <p style={{ fontFamily: "'Inconsolata'" }}>Your text</p>