Poppins is a versatile sans-serif typeface with a geometric and friendly look. It works well with many other fonts, creating a visual story for any project.
Inspired by the shapes of the Bauhaus movement, Poppins is a geometric sans-serif font that combines simplicity and elegance. It was created by Indian Type Foundry in 2014 and features nine weights and three scripts: Latin, Devanagari, and Gujarati. Poppins is a versatile font that can be used for branding, editorial, signage, and digital projects. It is free to use on Google Fonts and compatible with variable font settings.
This guide shows the best Poppins font pairings, separating free and paid choices and highlighting those from Adobe Fonts, Google Fonts, and unique sources. From the natural feel of Poppins and Figtree to the informal style of Poppins and Metrophobic, we explore the world of typography to give you pairings that match your brand’s voice and audience.
Poppins & Figtree (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: The clean and balanced Poppins juxtaposed with the elegance of Figtree can infuse sophistication into any layout.
Figtree is a serif font designed by Sorkin Type, based on the work of American calligrapher and lettering artist John Stevens. The font has a graceful and organic appearance, with subtle contrast and fluid curves. Figtree was inspired by the beauty of nature and the way plants grow and intertwine. Figtree is suitable for both display and text use, especially for headings, logos, invitations, and quotes. Figtree supports Latin and Cyrillic scripts and is compatible with most web browsers and operating systems.
Use Cases: This duo excels in lifestyle publications and high-end branding, offering a crisp and modern aesthetic.
Suggested Industries: Luxury Brands, Home & Lifestyle, Digital Magazines.
Pros: Elegant yet readable; excellent for both headlines and body text.
Cons: The subtlety of Figtree might require careful application in complex designs to avoid being overshadowed.
Poppins & Metrophobic (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Metrophobic’s casual and laid-back character provides a refreshing contrast to Poppins’ formality.
Metrophobic is a sans-serif font designed by Vernon Adams in 2011. The name Metrophobic comes from the Greek word for “fear of change”, which reflects the font’s resistance to trends and fads. Metrophobic has a simple and clean appearance, with open forms and generous spacing. The font was inspired by the signage and typography of urban environments, especially London. Metrophobic is suitable for web and print, and can be used for headlines, captions, logos, or body text. Metrophobic is compatible with most browsers and devices, and supports Latin, Cyrillic, Greek, and Vietnamese scripts.
Use Cases: Great for start-ups or educational platforms that value approachability and ease of reading.
Suggested Industries: Educational Technology, Creative Workshops, Informal Communications.
Pros: Friendly vibe that’s inviting for digital platforms.
Cons: May not be suitable for more formal or traditional branding.
Poppins & Myriad Pro (Paid, Adobe Fonts)
Background: The professional and versatile Myriad Pro complements Poppins’ geometry with its humanistic warmth.
Myriad Pro is a sans serif font family that was designed by Robert Slimbach and Carol Twombly for Adobe Systems in 1992. It is based on Frutiger, a classic humanist font, but has more open counters, round dots, and a larger x-height. Myriad Pro is a versatile font that can be used for various purposes, such as text, headlines, logos, or signage. It supports multiple languages, including Latin, Greek, Cyrillic, and Arabic scripts. Myriad Pro is available on Adobe Fonts, where it can be synced and used on different platforms and devices.
Use Cases: Ideal for corporate communication, business websites, and informational content.
Suggested Industries: Financial Services, Corporate Enterprises, Legal Firms.
Pros: Conveys professionalism and clarity.
Cons: As a paid option, Myriad Pro might not be accessible for all projects.
Poppins & Nunito Sans (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Nunito Sans matches the roundness of Poppins but adds a touch more playfulness.
Nunito Sans is a sans-serif typeface that was designed by Vernon Adams and Jacques Le Bailly. It is based on the original Nunito font, which was created as a rounded version of the classic font Avenir. Nunito Sans preserves the roundness and softness of Nunito, but has more balanced proportions and a larger x-height. The font family consists of 14 weights, ranging from thin to black, with matching italics. Nunito Sans is inspired by the warmth and friendliness of children’s books, and aims to create a harmonious and pleasant reading experience. Nunito Sans is best suited for user interfaces and mobile apps that want to convey a sense of fun and approachability. The font is compatible with various platforms, including web, desktop, and mobile devices. Nunito Sans is available for free on Google Fonts, where it can be easily integrated into any project.
Use Cases: User interfaces and mobile apps that aim for a friendly and engaging experience.
Suggested Industries: Mobile App Design, User Interface Design, Child-Focused Services.
Pros: Both fonts are optimized for screen readability.
Cons: The pairing could be too informal for serious content.
Poppins & Poppins (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Utilizing different weights and styles of Poppins ensures consistency while creating subtle distinctions.
Use Cases: Branding and marketing materials where a unified typographic approach is essential.
Suggested Industries: Branding Agencies, Marketing Firms, Creative Design Studios.
Pros: Seamless integration across various elements.
Cons: May lack visual interest due to uniformity.
Poppins & Mailtree (Proprietary)
Background: Mailtree’s unique character blends well with Poppins’ neutrality, creating a distinctive voice.
Mailtree is a proprietary font designed by the Mailtree team, a platform that helps users create and send personalized emails. The font is inspired by the organic shapes of trees and branches, as well as the idea of connecting people through email. Mailtree has a playful and friendly appearance, with curved terminals, asymmetrical forms, and varied stroke widths. The font supports multiple languages and scripts, including Latin, Cyrillic, Greek, and Arabic. Mailtree is best used for headlines, logos, and branding, where it can convey a sense of creativity and innovation. It can also be paired with more neutral fonts, such as Poppins, for body text and contrast.
Use Cases: This combination is well-suited for innovative tech companies and startups.
Suggested Industries: Technology, Innovation Hubs, Digital News Platforms.
Pros: Unique and contemporary.
Cons: Being proprietary, Mailtree may not be freely available for all users.
Poppins & Ponnala (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Ponnala offers an airy feel that can lighten the solid presence of Poppins.
Ponnala is a sans serif font that was designed by the Indian Type Foundry in 2019. The font is inspired by the geometric shapes and curves of the Devanagari script, which is used for several languages in India and Nepal. Ponnala has a soft and friendly appearance, with rounded terminals and open counters. The font is well-suited for web and mobile applications, as it has a high legibility and readability. Ponnala can complement the more structured and formal Poppins, creating a balanced and harmonious contrast. Ponnala is available in five weights, from light to bold, and supports Latin and Devanagari scripts.
Use Cases: Best for digital platforms that emphasize ease and simplicity.
Suggested Industries: Health and Wellness, Blogs, Informative Websites.
Pros: The combination is inviting and easy on the eyes.
Cons: Might not be ideal for print due to Ponnala’s lighter weight.
Poppins & Sarabun (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Sarabun adds traditional serifs to the mix, providing a nice counterpoint to Poppins’ modernity.
Sarabun is a Thai font designed by Suppakit Chalermlarp and released by Cadson Demak in 2016. It was inspired by the early 20th century printing styles of the Thai Lan Na Kingdom. Sarabun has a friendly and warm appearance, with soft curves and tapered terminals. It supports both Thai and Latin scripts, making it suitable for bilingual texts. Sarabun is compatible with most web browsers and operating systems, and can be used for display or body text.
Use Cases: Editorial content and printed materials that require a classic touch.
Suggested Industries: Publishing Houses, Newspapers, Educational Institutions.
Pros: Timeless elegance suitable for high readability.
Cons: Serifs in Sarabun might not translate as well on smaller digital displays.
Poppins & Alike (Free, Google Fonts)
Background: Alike’s classical proportions harmonize with Poppins’ clean lines, offering a balanced typographic hierarchy.
Alike is a serif font designed by José Nicolás Silva Schwarzenberg, who was inspired by the work of Robert Slimbach and Jonathan Hoefler. The font has elegant curves, high contrast, and a classical appearance. Alike is suitable for long texts, such as books, magazines, or websites, where it can convey a sense of tradition and authority. Alike is compatible with various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.
Use Cases: Academic publications and professional reports where readability is paramount.
Suggested Industries: Academia, Scientific Journals, Research Institutions.
Pros: The pairing is sophisticated and versatile across mediums.
Cons: Can be considered too conservative for creative or youthful brands.
Don’t forget, font pairing is not only about finding a balance between style and function. It’s also about creating harmony that matches your visual and communicative goals. Whether it’s the elegant simplicity of Poppins with a serif like Alike or the friendly informality of Poppins with Nunito Sans, each pairing should be selected based on your brand’s personality and the project’s needs. Try different weight, spacing, and scale to reveal the full potential of different typeface pairs, making sure that your design communicates clearly and effectively to your audience.
