Libre Franklin
Libre Franklin, designed by Pablo Impallari, is an open-source interpretation of the classic American gothic typeface Franklin Gothic originally designed by Morris Fuller Benton in 1902. It faithfully captures the editorial gravitas and no-nonsense clarity of its namesake while adding modern refinements and a full range of nine weights with italics for contemporary digital use. Well-suited for news sites, publishing platforms, and brands seeking authoritative American typographic heritage without licensing costs.
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 0123456789
About Libre Franklin
- Designer
- Pablo Impallari
- Released
- 2015
- License
- SIL Open Font License 1.1
- Category
- Neo-Grotesque
- Recommended Weight
- 700
- Variable Axes
- weight
- Script Support
- Latin, Latin Extended
- Available Weights
- 100200300400500600700800900
Pairs Well With
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Frequently Asked Questions
How faithful is Libre Franklin to the original Franklin Gothic?
Libre Franklin captures the proportions, stroke contrast, and authoritative character of Morris Fuller Benton's 1902 Franklin Gothic while adding modern refinements for digital rendering. The letterforms are adapted for screen clarity rather than being an exact historical replica.
Why is Franklin Gothic considered an "American" typeface tradition?
Franklin Gothic, named after Benjamin Franklin, became a defining typeface of American newspaper headlines and advertising in the early 20th century. Its bold, straightforward character embodied American industrial-era communication, and Libre Franklin carries that heritage into the digital age.
What other "Libre" fonts did Pablo Impallari create?
Pablo Impallari designed several open-source revivals under the Libre banner, including Libre Baskerville (a Baskerville revival) and Libre Caslon (a Caslon revival). Each faithfully adapts a historical typeface for modern web use under the SIL Open Font License.