Jost
Designed by Owen Earl of indestructible type* and first released in 2017, Jost is a contemporary reimagining of 1920s geometric sans-serifs inspired by Futura, rebuilt from the ground up with a larger x-height and more balanced capitals for modern digital use. Its clean geometric forms with a single-storey 'a' make it ideal for architecture, technology, and design-forward brands seeking a Bauhaus-era aesthetic. Available as a variable font with weight and italic axes spanning 9 weights from Hairline to Black.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 0123456789
About Jost
- Designer
- Owen Earl
- Foundry
- indestructible type*
- Released
- 2017
- License
- SIL Open Font License 1.1
- Category
- Geometric Sans
- Recommended Weight
- 600
- Variable Axes
- weightitalic
- Script Support
- Latin
- Available Weights
- 100200300400500600700800900
Pairs Well With
Space Grotesk
Space Grotesk's proportional monospace heritage creates an interesting technical counterpoint to Jost's pure geometry, working well for code-adjacent brands where Jost handles headings and Space Grotesk covers UI and data.
Compare side by sideLibre Baskerville
Libre Baskerville's classical transitional serifs create a sophisticated contrast with Jost's Bauhaus-inspired geometry, forming a pairing that balances historical gravitas with modernist clarity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Jost differ from Futura?
While clearly inspired by Futura, Jost was rebuilt from scratch with modern screen use in mind. It features a larger x-height for better readability at small sizes, more balanced capital proportions, and refined optical adjustments that Futura's 1927 design couldn't anticipate for digital displays. Crucially, Jost is free under the SIL Open Font License, while Futura requires a commercial license.
Does Jost have a true italic or an oblique?
Jost includes a true italic with a dedicated italic axis in its variable font implementation, not just a slanted oblique. The italic forms feature redrawn letterforms with calligraphic influences, particularly visible in the lowercase 'a', 'e', and 'f'. This is unusual for geometric sans-serifs, which typically use obliques, and adds expressiveness to the family.
Is Jost a good choice for architecture or design studio branding?
Jost is an excellent choice for architecture and design studios because its Bauhaus-era geometric DNA directly connects to the modernist design tradition. The clean, rational letterforms with their single-storey 'a' and perfectly circular 'o' communicate precision and intentionality. Its 9-weight range from Hairline to Black provides the hierarchy needed for portfolios, while the free license allows use across all studio materials.