What Fonts Does Instagram Use?
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Instagram Sans Font
Instagram uses a variety of fonts for different purposes. The main font used by Instagram is the Instagram Sans font, which comes in a variety of styles. This font reflects a dedication to simplicity and craft. It lets users express themselves well across diverse languages.
Instagram Stories and Reels use different fonts.
Additionally, Freight Sans is another font used by Instagram for stories. These fonts cater to different styles and themes within Stories and Reels.
In terms of the Instagram logo, the platform previously used the Billabong font but now uses Sans as its logo font. The Instagram logo is represented by a camera-shaped icon enclosed in a square known as a “squircle”

Instagram’s typeface is a mix of simplicity and modern elegance for easy reading. The exclusive font, Instagram Sans, is designed by Mackey Saturday, renowned for creating brand identities. It’s tailored for screen legibility, reflecting the platform’s modern, approachable style.
Instagram itself reveals much about Instagram Sans. It notes, “Instagram Sans reflects the shape of the glyph and our commitment to simplicity and craft.” The in-between moments of a perfect circle and a square, affectionately termed the ‘squircle’, permeate the essence of the typeface.”
This unique shape not only sets apart the font but also aligns perfectly with Instagram’s ethos of blending creativity with ease of use.
It is a contemporary remix of grotesque and geometric styles. Details like sheared terminals that suggest the flick of a human hand, unexpected quirks seen in the “Q” and the interior teardrop of the “a” add a friendly personality.
The typeface letterforms are inspired by our iconic glyph. Circular motifs, titles, and punctuation marks further connect these two elements of our brand identity. Let’s find out some more details about the font.
“While Instagram Sans is an excellent choice for legibility, it’s important for designers to consider font pairings that can enhance the visual appeal of their posts,”
Maria Garcia, a seasoned design consultant.
While Instagram Sans is Instagram’s official typeface, it doesn’t have exclusivity on the platform. Users have the liberty to communicate with a variety of fonts. Here are some popular alternatives that creators leverage to inject a dash of personal style into their posts.
1. Helvetica Neue: A timeless classic, Helvetica Neue, presents a sleek and professional feel, often used for captions and bios.
2. Proxima Nova: Known for its extensive family, Proxima Nova, stands out with its balance between friendly and futuristic, a favorite for longer texts and stories.
3. Gill Sans: Offering a more ‘retro’ vibe, Gill Sans can be an eye-catching departure from the platform’s typical minimalist look when used sparingly for emphasis.
4. Avenir Next: With its geometric yet humanist forms, Avenir Next is a modern sans-serif that sits comfortably, influencing and harmonizing with the general aesthetic.
5. Lato: For an open, modern feel that’s universally pleasing, Lato is often the choice of content creators who want a touch of playfulness.
Each of these fonts brings a different flavor to your Instagram profile or content. The trick is to match the right font with the right context and audience. When done right, it amplifies your message tenfold.
The font types have a big impact on Instagram. They affect readability, visual appeal, and the emotions of users on the platform.
Instagram typically uses the ‘San Francisco’ font for overlay text in Stories on iOS Apple devices.
Offering many font options lets users customize their stories. They can also keep a consistent look with their brand and engage their audience well. They can do this using different text styles.
The default ‘Classic’ font on iOS devices is San Francisco, while on Android phones, it is Roboto. Additionally, Freight Sans is used as another font in the Instagram app.
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You may also find out more about typography and how it is classified from here.
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I am a typography specialist based in South Tangerang, Indonesia. I provide knowledge on typefaces and encourage others to succeed in the field of type design. As a design consultant, I worked on several fronts.







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