The Best Free Alternatives to Helvetica
Arimo was designed to be metrically identical to Arial — which is itself a close Helvetica relative — so it matches Helvetica's proportions and spacing almost exactly. It's the most technically accurate free stand-in: swap it in and line lengths stay the same. It's a faithful workhorse rather than a 'designed' choice. For a modern screen feel, Inter is the favourite alternative below.
More free alternatives
Why look for an alternative?
Helvetica is a licensed commercial typeface from Linotype — and like most premium fonts, it's not free to use on the web without a paid license.
Google Fonts are free and open-source. A well-chosen alternative gets you most of the look at no cost — free to use on the web, in print, and in apps.
Questions, answered
Is there a free version of Helvetica?
No — Helvetica is a licensed commercial typeface. The closest free, metric-compatible match is Arimo; for a modern screen feel, designers usually reach for Inter.
What Google Font looks most like Helvetica?
Arimo is the most technically accurate (metric-compatible with Arial/Helvetica). Inter is the popular modern alternative, and Roboto is a widely-used neutral option.
Is Arimo the same as Helvetica?
Very close in metrics and proportion — Arimo was built to match Arial's widths, and Arial is a close Helvetica cousin. The letterform details differ slightly, but spacing and fit are near-identical.
Can I use these commercially?
Yes. Arimo, Inter, and Roboto are all Google Fonts under open licenses — free for personal and commercial use.
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