Source Sans Pro
About Source Sans Pro
- Source
- Google Fonts ↗
- Classification
- sans-serif
- Weights
- Variable (100-900)
- Features
- Variable, Italics
Source Sans Pro is Adobe's first open-source typeface family, designed by Paul D. Hunt and released in 2012. It was created specifically for user interface design while maintaining excellent readability for body text.
History and Design
Paul D. Hunt designed Source Sans Pro as part of Adobe's commitment to open-source typography. The design draws inspiration from American gothic typefaces like Franklin Gothic while incorporating the clarity needed for modern digital interfaces. In 2023, Adobe released Source Sans 3, a variable font update with enhanced features.
The typeface balances warmth and neutrality, avoiding the clinical feel of Helvetica while maintaining professional utility. Its generous x-height and open apertures ensure excellent legibility on screen.
Why Source Sans Pro Matters
Source Sans Pro established Adobe's open-source type library, which has grown to include Source Serif Pro, Source Code Pro, and numerous other families. Its success demonstrated that high-quality professional typefaces could thrive under open-source licensing, influencing the entire industry.
The typeface is particularly valued in government and public sector projects, where open licensing aligns with accessibility mandates. The U.S. Web Design System recommends Source Sans Pro for federal websites.
Technical Features
- Variable font: Source Sans 3 offers continuous weight axis
- Extended family: Matches with Source Serif Pro and Source Code Pro
- Superior language support: Latin, Cyrillic, Greek extended
- OpenType features: Small caps, tabular figures, fractions
Best Use Cases
Source Sans Pro excels in:
- User interfaces: Designed specifically for UI applications
- Government and public sector: Open licensing meets accessibility requirements
- Documentation: Pairs naturally with Source Code Pro for technical docs
- Corporate communications: Professional without being cold
Usage Tips
Use weight 400 for body text and 600-700 for headings. For technical documentation, pair with Source Code Pro for code examples. Consider Source Sans 3 variable font for more flexibility. The typeface works well at sizes from 12px to display, making it versatile across applications.
Alternative For (7)
Source Sans Pro is a free alternative to the following premium fonts:
Adobe's open-source alternative with comparable weight range and clarity
Clean neo-grotesque with comparable professional utility
Comparable weight range with neo-grotesque refinement
Adobe's open-source counterpart with similar design philosophy
Shares emphasis on digital legibility with humanist proportions
Adobe's humanist sans with comparable neutrality and readability
How to Use Source Sans Pro
Copy these code snippets to quickly add Source Sans Pro to your project.
CSS Import
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Source+Sans+Pro: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=Source+Sans+Pro:wght@100..900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">Tailwind CSS
// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
theme: {
extend: {
fontFamily: {
'source-sans-pro': ['"Source Sans Pro"', 'sans-serif'],
},
},
},
}
// Usage in HTML:
// <p class="font-source-sans-pro">Your text here</p>React / Next.js
// Using next/font (Next.js 13+)
import { Source_Sans_Pro } from 'next/font/google';
const source_sans_pro = Source_Sans_Pro({
subsets: ['latin'],
weight: ['100', '200', '300', '400', '500', '600', '700', '800', '900'],
});
export default function Component() {
return (
<p className={source_sans_pro.className}>
Your text here
</p>
);
}
// Or using inline styles with Google Fonts link:
// <p style={{ fontFamily: '"Source Sans Pro"' }}>Your text</p>