How do I know which font to use?

Choosing the right font might seem like a small design decision, but it can have a significant impact on how your writing is received. The right font doesn’t just make your message readable, it helps set the tone, reinforce your brand, and engage your audience.

So, how do you choose the right one without drowning in options?

1. Start with Purpose: What are you writing?

Before you browse font libraries, think about the goal of your writing. Fonts carry personality. Is this a formal cover letter? A heartfelt keepsake letter to a grandchild? A cheeky wedding invite? Each purpose demands a different visual tone.

• Professional or legal letters: Opt for clean, timeless fonts like Times New Roman, Garamond or Arial.

• Personal, heartfelt writing: Choose fonts with warmth, like Georgia or Palatino.

• Creative or playful work: Try rounded or quirky fonts like Comic Neue or Amatic SC.

  
  

2. Consider Readability First

No matter how pretty a font looks, if it's hard to read, it’s not the right choice. Fonts should not distract from your message. For long pieces of text (like letters), stick with fonts designed for readability.

• Serif fonts like Times New Roman or Georgia are excellent for print.

• Sans-serif fonts like Helvetica or Calibri work well for on-screen reading.

  
  

Test your font at different sizes to see how it holds up. If it gets murky or cramped, ditch it.

3. Match the Mood of the Message

Fonts, like colours and images, carry emotional weight. Are you writing something hopeful? Serious? Humorous?

• Elegant: Baskerville, Didot

• Friendly: Nunito, Quicksand

• Neutral/Modern: Lato, Open Sans

• Vintage/Retro: Courier, Playfair Display

  
  

Don't be afraid to try a few and see which resonates most with your message.

4. Pair Fonts with Intention

If you’re using more than one font (e.g. a heading and a body font), make sure they complement each other. One common rule? Contrast, but don’t clash.

• Use a serif heading with a sans-serif body (or vice versa).

• Avoid pairing two similar fonts, they’ll compete.

• Use no more than two fonts to keep it clean.

  
  

For inspiration and free font combinations, check out Google Fonts (https://fonts.google.com) and typepair (https://www.typewolf.com).

5. Trust the Experts (or Hire One)

Still unsure? You're not alone. At LetterLab, we help our clients choose the right font style as part of the letter writing process. Why? Because presentation matters just as much as content. Especially when you need to make a strong impression, like writing a cover letter or appeal letter that actually gets read.

Real-World Example

A recent client came to us needing a financial aid appeal letter. They’d written the content themselves, but it was hard to read and used an over-decorative script font. We reformatted it using Georgia for the body and Montserrat for the header. The message stayed the same, but it looked more professional, trustworthy and serious. They received a positive reply within a week.

Final Thought

Fonts are a silent partner in your message. The right one does its job without being noticed, the wrong one shouts over your words.

If in doubt, keep it simple, readable and appropriate to your tone. And when the stakes are high? Let LetterLab handle the writing and the visuals.

Need a letter that looks the part and delivers results? Visit LetterLab and get started today.