Figma Font Harmony: Finding Times New Roman Alternatives

Nov 2, 2025 by Admin 57 views

Hey guys! Ever been there, staring at your Figma design, and you need that classic, dependable Times New Roman look? But maybe you're feeling adventurous or need a font with a bit more… oomph? Well, you're in luck! Finding fonts similar to Times New Roman in Figma is a breeze, and I'm here to walk you through it. We'll explore some fantastic alternatives that capture that timeless elegance while offering unique twists. Get ready to level up your typography game!

The Enduring Appeal of Times New Roman and Why You Might Seek Alternatives

Alright, let's be real: Times New Roman is a legend. Born in the 1930s, it was designed for readability in the cramped confines of newspapers. It's a workhorse of a font – reliable, familiar, and gets the job done. It's like that trusty old friend you know you can always count on. Its serifs (those little feet at the ends of the letters) guide your eye across the page, making it easy to read large blocks of text. And it's so ingrained in our visual vocabulary that it instantly communicates a sense of formality and tradition. That's why people use it for books, academic papers, and official documents, right?

However, even legends can benefit from a refresh. Sometimes, Times New Roman can feel… well, a little stuffy. In the fast-paced world of digital design, you might want a font that feels more modern, more expressive, or simply stands out from the crowd. Maybe you're working on a website, a presentation, or a marketing campaign where you need a font that reflects a different tone or personality. That's where exploring fonts similar to Times New Roman in Figma becomes super important.

Here's why you might want to consider alternatives:

Modernization: Times New Roman can sometimes feel dated. Alternative fonts can inject a sense of contemporary style.
Branding: Choosing a specific font that aligns with your brand's personality is key to a consistent visual identity.
Readability on Screen: While Times New Roman is great for print, some digital fonts are optimized for screen viewing, offering improved clarity and reduced eye strain.
Versatility: Exploring new fonts can unlock new possibilities in your designs, creating more dynamic and visually interesting layouts.

So, if you are looking to refresh or update your design and you need to find fonts similar to Times New Roman in Figma, then let's begin.

Figma Font Explorer: Your Toolkit for Times New Roman-esque Fonts

Okay, so you're in Figma, ready to find some font magic. The good news is that Figma makes it super easy to explore and experiment with fonts. Let's look at the tools you'll be using to hunt down those fonts similar to Times New Roman.

The Text Tool

This is your best friend. Click the "T" icon in the toolbar or press "T" on your keyboard to activate it. You can then click and drag to create a text box. In the right-hand panel, you'll find all the text options, including:

Font Family: Click the dropdown to see the list of fonts available in Figma. This is where the exploration begins! You can scroll through the fonts, see a preview of each one, and apply it to your text.
Font Style: This lets you select the weight (e.g., Regular, Bold, Italic) and style of your font.
Font Size: Adjust the size of your text to see how the font looks at different scales. This is important because the readability and personality of a font can change depending on its size. Make sure you can easily see the text. If it is too small, you can't read it. If it is too big, it will look out of place.
Line Height: This controls the space between lines of text. Experimenting with line height is crucial for readability, especially with longer blocks of text.
Letter Spacing: This adjusts the space between individual letters. Tightening the spacing can make a font feel more compact, while loosening it can create a more airy feel.

Google Fonts Integration

Figma seamlessly integrates with Google Fonts, which gives you access to a massive library of free, high-quality fonts. This is a game-changer! You can browse Google Fonts directly within Figma and easily add any font you like to your design. And the best part? It's all free!

Browsing: When you click on the font family dropdown, you should see the option to browse Google Fonts. Just click that to open the browser. You can filter fonts by category (serif, sans-serif, display, etc.), and this helps to narrow your search to fonts similar to Times New Roman.
Previewing: You'll see a preview of each font as you scroll. Apply it to your text and see how it looks within your design.

Plugin Power

Figma's plugin ecosystem is amazing! There are plugins specifically designed to help you with typography and font discovery. Here are a couple of plugins that you might find helpful for finding fonts similar to Times New Roman in Figma:

Font Playground: This plugin lets you compare multiple fonts side-by-side, which is great for seeing how different fonts stack up against each other and against Times New Roman.
Type Scale: This plugin helps you create a consistent and harmonious typographic scale, which can be useful when working with multiple fonts in your design.

With these tools, you're all set to begin your font exploration journey!

Top Contenders: Fonts That Capture the Times New Roman Vibe in Figma

Alright, let's get to the fun part: the fonts! Here are some excellent choices that offer a similar feel to Times New Roman while bringing their unique personality to the table. These are all fonts similar to Times New Roman in Figma, so you can easily incorporate them into your design.

1. Georgia

The Vibe: Georgia is a classic serif font designed by Matthew Carter and commissioned by Microsoft. It was specifically optimized for screen readability, so it's a great choice for digital projects. It has a slightly more modern feel than Times New Roman. It's a popular alternative, so there is a high chance that you already have Georgia in your Figma font library.
Why It's Similar: Georgia has strong serifs and a similar x-height (the height of the lowercase letters) to Times New Roman, making it highly readable. It has a robust character, and it works wonderfully for both body text and headlines.
Best Used For: Body text on websites, articles, or anywhere readability is a top priority.

2. Book Antiqua / Palatino

The Vibe: Book Antiqua is a very elegant and classic serif font. It has a slightly more refined and traditional look than Times New Roman, which can be great for sophisticated designs. Palatino is another option. They are both excellent fonts!
Why It's Similar: Similar to Times New Roman, Book Antiqua has strong serifs, but its design is more rounded. It also has a high x-height, which adds to its readability. Palatino is similar in structure and design, and both are excellent alternatives.
Best Used For: Books, magazines, or any design that needs a touch of old-world charm.

3. Literata

The Vibe: Designed for the Google Play Books platform, Literata is a contemporary serif font designed specifically for long-form reading. It's clean, modern, and very readable, with a focus on ease of use. This is a perfect font if you need to find fonts similar to Times New Roman in Figma.
Why It's Similar: While not identical to Times New Roman, Literata shares similar characteristics in terms of its serifs and letterforms. It's designed to be comfortable to read for long periods, making it an excellent choice for body text.
Best Used For: E-books, articles, and any long-form content where readability is paramount.

4. EB Garamond

The Vibe: EB Garamond is a revival of Claude Garamond's sixteenth-century typefaces. It's elegant, historical, and has a touch of old-world charm. A great font to search if you want to find fonts similar to Times New Roman in Figma.
Why It's Similar: While it has a different historical context than Times New Roman, EB Garamond shares a similar sense of formality and readability. Its serifs are graceful, and its letterforms are well-defined.
Best Used For: Historical designs, book covers, and anywhere you want to create a sophisticated and classic feel.

5. Libre Baskerville

The Vibe: Libre Baskerville is a free and open-source font based on the original Baskerville typeface. It's a stylish and readable serif with a slightly more modern feel than Times New Roman.
Why It's Similar: It has a similar x-height and serifs to Times New Roman, contributing to its readability. It is a font with a very simple design, which is extremely easy to use for everyone.
Best Used For: Websites, articles, and anywhere you need a clear and stylish font for body text.

Fine-Tuning Your Font Choice: Tips and Tricks

Okay, you've got your fonts – now what? Here are some pro tips to help you get the most out of your fonts similar to Times New Roman in Figma:

1. Consider Your Context

Think about where your font will be used. Is it for a website, a mobile app, or print material? Different contexts may require different font choices. The legibility can also be compromised if the font is displayed at a small size, so it must be displayed properly.

Websites: Consider fonts optimized for screen readability, like Georgia or Literata.
Print: Fonts with well-defined serifs, such as Book Antiqua, often work well.

2. Test for Readability

Always test your chosen font in the context of your design. Ensure that it's easy to read at different sizes and weights. This is especially important for body text.

Test on Different Devices: Make sure the font looks good on various screen sizes and resolutions.
Use the "Accessibility" Plugin: Figma plugins can help you test the accessibility of your text, ensuring that it meets contrast requirements.

3. Experiment with Weight and Style

Don't be afraid to experiment with different weights (e.g., Regular, Bold, Italic) to see how they affect the overall feel of your design. Changing the weight or style of the font will instantly change the feeling of the design.

4. Pair Fonts Wisely

If you're using multiple fonts in your design, choose ones that complement each other. Avoid using too many different fonts, as this can make your design look cluttered. This is something important if you want to find fonts similar to Times New Roman in Figma.

Serif and Sans-Serif: A classic combination is to pair a serif font (like one of the ones we've discussed) with a clean sans-serif font for headlines and subheadings.
Contrast: Look for fonts that have some contrast in style, but not so much that they clash. You want a design that is easy on the eyes.

5. Consider the Overall Tone

Does your design need to be formal, friendly, modern, or classic? The font you choose should align with the overall tone and personality of your project.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Font Selection in Figma

So there you have it, guys! A deep dive into finding fonts similar to Times New Roman in Figma. Remember, the best font is the one that best suits your needs and enhances your design. Don't be afraid to experiment, explore, and find the perfect font that brings your vision to life.

Here's a quick recap:

Use Figma's Text Tool and Google Fonts: These are your primary resources for exploring fonts.
Consider Alternatives: Explore fonts like Georgia, Book Antiqua, Literata, EB Garamond, and Libre Baskerville.
Test and Refine: Always test your fonts for readability and adjust the weight and style to fit your design.
Have Fun! Experimenting with fonts is a creative process. Enjoy it!

Now go forth and create some amazing designs! Happy designing! Thanks for tuning in. Remember to always explore new fonts, and keep up with the latest design trends. Good luck with finding those fonts similar to Times New Roman in Figma!