Libre Caslon Text
About Libre Caslon Text
- Source
- Google Fonts ↗
- Classification
- serif
- Weights
- 400, 700
- Features
- Italics
Libre Caslon Text is an open-source revival of William Caslon's classic typeface, specifically optimized for body text applications. Created by Impallari Type, it captures the warm, reliable character of Caslon while ensuring excellent readability at text sizes.
History and Design
Pablo Impallari designed Libre Caslon Text as a companion to Libre Caslon Display, with each variant optimized for its intended size range. The text version features slightly heavier hairlines, more open counters, and adjusted spacing to maintain clarity at smaller sizes.
William Caslon's original types, created in the 1720s, became the workhorse of English-language printing for over a century. Their unpretentious reliability earned Caslon the reputation captured in the printer's maxim: "When in doubt, use Caslon."
Why Libre Caslon Text Succeeds
Libre Caslon Text achieves the difficult balance of historical character and practical usability. The warmth and subtle irregularities that make Caslon distinctive remain intact, while technical adjustments ensure comfortable reading on screens and in print. It's Caslon optimized for the 21st century.
Technical Features
- Text optimized: Designed specifically for body text sizes
- True italics: Faithful to Caslon's italic tradition
- Robust hairlines: Enhanced clarity at small sizes
- OpenType features: Ligatures, kerning tables
- Latin Extended: Comprehensive character coverage
Best Use Cases
Libre Caslon Text excels in:
- Book design: Literary fiction and general trade publishing
- Web body text: Long-form content and articles
- Editorial design: Magazine features and journalism
- Corporate documents: Reports and formal communications
Usage Tips
Libre Caslon Text works best at 10-14pt in print or 16-18px on screen. The slightly open spacing aids readability in extended text. Pair with geometric or grotesque sans-serifs for contrast—Montserrat, Open Sans, or Source Sans Pro work well. Use the bold weight for emphasis rather than italic in digital contexts. The italic is beautifully designed and ideal for book titles, foreign phrases, and extended quoted passages.
Alternative For (1)
Libre Caslon Text is a free alternative to the following premium fonts:
How to Use Libre Caslon Text
Copy these code snippets to quickly add Libre Caslon Text to your project.
CSS Import
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Libre+Caslon+Text:wght@400;700&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=Libre+Caslon+Text:wght@400;700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">Tailwind CSS
// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
theme: {
extend: {
fontFamily: {
'libre-caslon-text': ['"Libre Caslon Text"', 'sans-serif'],
},
},
},
}
// Usage in HTML:
// <p class="font-libre-caslon-text">Your text here</p>React / Next.js
// Using next/font (Next.js 13+)
import { Libre_Caslon_Text } from 'next/font/google';
const libre_caslon_text = Libre_Caslon_Text({
subsets: ['latin'],
weight: ['400', '700'],
});
export default function Component() {
return (
<p className={libre_caslon_text.className}>
Your text here
</p>
);
}
// Or using inline styles with Google Fonts link:
// <p style={{ fontFamily: '"Libre Caslon Text"' }}>Your text</p>