10 Most Hated Fonts + What To Use Instead

When choosing fonts, knowing what not to use is even more crucial than knowing what to use. Because not all good-looking fonts are good for your design. You cannot risk using the most hated fonts and having designers, critics, your clients and your audience judge your work before they have read a single word. After all, the wrong fonts send the wrong message, and you do not want that, do you? 

Let’s be upfront, when we say the “most hated fonts” it does not mean that every designer despises them or that they are ugly. Some of these fonts look good but have been used too often. Whereas some were perhaps in trend a few years ago, but feel outdated for use in current times. Some of these are visually appealing but bad in legibility, and others have perhaps been used in the wrong context where there are default associations you cannot break.

On the whole, these are fonts that can dilute your message, negatively impact your brand image or affect user experience. Ready to know about the most hated fonts in the world of design? Let’s go! 

Fonts Designers Wish You’d Stop Using (And Smarter Alternatives)

1. Comic Sans 

Of course, we had to start our list with the font that probably popped into your head the moment you saw “most hated fonts” – Comic Sans! While it’s a fun and playful typeface, it gained a notorious reputation for one simple reason – it was used everywhere. 

From posters to newsletters, banners, and digital ads, Comic Sans started appearing everywhere where people wanted to convey a casual vibe. Eventually, people just didn’t want to see it anymore.

On another note, despite its bad reputation, Comic Sans is said to be a good choice for accessibility, especially for people with dyslexia! 

But if you want to capture the same approachable vibe without the baggage, here are some stronger picks:

• GT Maru – a similar rounded sans-serif that is both modern and legible.
• Nunito – approachable and warm with diverse weights to explore within the font family. 
• Quicksand – friendly yet polished for contemporary applications. 
• Comic Neue – a slightly more refined version of Comic Sans 
• Lato – while not exactly playful, it still feels young and casual. 

2. Papyrus 

A textured font with a hand-written feel and vintage vibes – Papyrus was created to evoke a sense of ancient history. So, why did it become one of the most hated fonts? It’s overuse and misuse made it look like a visual cliché.

For the refined feel it evokes, it ended up being used in a lot of places that call for a sense of exotic. Remember the logo of the first Avatar movie? It used a modified version of the Payrus logo. Perhaps this was the breaking point! 

The font’s notoriety reached a new level of fame (or infamy) thanks to a now-iconic Saturday Night Live skit featuring Ryan Gosling. 

If you’re looking for a typeface that has an organic or classic feel like the Papyrus but without the negative associations, consider these alternatives:

• Burowai – if you are looking for something with a strong cultural significance this font with its tribal aesthetic shines. 
• Old North – another unique font known for its textured organic nature. 
• IM Fell English – rustic rough edges and a classy feel. 

3. Brush Script 

In the script font category, Brush Script has grown to become one of the most hated fonts, mainly because it is one of the most overused fonts. 

The informal tone of Brush Script made it a popular choice in advertising. However, its ubiquity led to overexposure and a strong association with a specific, outdated aesthetic. Today, using Brush Script can make your design look dated and uninspired, even generic. So, if you want your design to look authentic, then it’s best to stay away from Brush Script. 

Want that casual, handwritten energy of the Brush Script font but without the cringe? Try these instead:

• Kaushan Script – vibrant and casual handwritten font, legible too! 
• Grand Hotel – if you are looking for something light, fun, and flexible.
• Pacifico – a tad bit common but still not among the most hated fonts. It makes a great choice when you need to combine contemporary + vintage. 
• Nickainley – a subtle vintage flair but with a clean and graceful signature-like feel. 
• Allura – for a raw handwriting style that feels like a whiff of fresh air in casual designs. 

4. Mistral 

Much like Brush Script, Mistral was created to mimic a casual, handwritten style, but with a more distinct, fluid, and connected feel. Its letterforms have a unique slant and often connect in a way that suggests a fast, effortless hand. 

For several years, Mistral was a go-to for designers wanting a quick and easy way to add a personal, informal touch to their work. But then this easily available font started appearing in many places where an informal tone was intended. From neon signs to packaging design, store signage and even outdoor ads, Mistral grew to be used so much that it no longer appeared attractive or unique. 

Not to forget, Mistral is also not the best choice when it comes to legibility, especially when considering digital designs and smaller prints. 

It’s time to move away from this much-hated font and choose something fresh instead. Here are a few alternatives worth trying:

• Hoodson Script – rustic script font but with a stronger character than Mistral. 
• Madina – feels personal with its modern calligraphic style. 
• Pinyon Script – if you are looking for something more refined and classy for a slight vintage feel. 
• Magnolia – brush calligraphy style font with a fun personality.
• Aurelia – if you need something artistic and stylish for a creative design. 

5. Trajan 

Hard to believe that such an elegant font is on the list of the most hated fonts in brand designs? Yes, despite how sharp and impactful it appears, this font has reached its saturation point and is no longer considered a unique or authentic option, particularly in marketing. 

With its majestic letterforms, all-caps design, and classical proportions, it was an instant hit for designers looking to convey a sense of gravitas, or even to evoke a feeling of history and sophistication. But then there was a time when a lot of movie posters, and we mean a lot, used Trajan or some version of it. 

People got bored of seeing Trajan everywhere and so designers recommend avoiding this font in designs meant to be unique and authentic, like marketing graphics for a brand. 

So, if you are looking for a font that feels grand without the visual cliché that Trajan has become, here are some options:

• Cinzel – looks a lot like Trajan but is clearly more modern and legible too. 
• Lustria – a hint of classic but with rounded letterforms that look clean and minimal.
• Butler – a high contrast font that looks modern and elegant. 

If you need more ideas, check out our blog on serif fonts to choose fonts for every occasion. 

6. Arial 

What’s there to hate about Arial? The mere fact that there is nothing too special about it. It has always been a top choice when it comes to readability and a safe font to fall back on when it comes to text-heavy designs. However, it’s bland! There, we said it! 

Such a plain font, while practical, is not the most aesthetically appealing option when you are designing graphics that represent your brand and carry your crucial message.

Besides, its presence in countless software programs and its status as a default font in browsers and word processors has made it one of the most widely used typefaces in the world. Therefore, using Arial signals a lack of originality in design. 

However, if you are looking for something minimalist, legible and easy to work with, here are some Arial alternatives you might like:

• Open Sans – while quite common these days, it’s not as commonly used as Arial. Yet it looks clean and neutral and is easily readable in all sizes.
• Inter – a recently popular font designed for digital screens, Inter is very easy on the eye.
• Fira Sans – readable and modern, this sans serif font also has a hint of luxury to it. 
• Gentona – bolder, louder, and still legible and easy to work with. 

7. Helvetica 

Helvetica might be a surprise addition to the most hated fonts list, but the truth is that graphic designers have been using it too often. It has become a go-to option for those designs that call for a foolproof sans serif font that is modern and scores high in terms of legibility. 

Therefore, it’s a good time to switch from Helvetica to other contemporary sans-serif options. 

Helvetica was a cornerstone of the “International Typographic Style” (or Swiss Style), designed to be a clear, neutral, and versatile font that could be used for any purpose, in any language. But everyone uses Helvetica. 

If you want to communicate a similar professional and clean feel without using an overused font like Helvetica, here are some options:

• Graphik – looks a lot like Helvetica but is one of the most versatile font families with plenty of weight options. 
• Larsseit – another great option if you are looking for several weights and styles, and it looks dapper in all-caps too! 
• Akkurat – slim, modern and highly readable in different sizes. 

8. Impact 

What was once the go-to choice to create an impact has been used so much that it has made its way into the list of the most hated fonts in marketing. Originally, the font was specifically designed for headlines and display use, with thick strokes, tightly packed letterspacing, and a high x-height that makes it stand out on posters and publicity materials.

The infamy of Impact stems from one defining historical incident – its adoption as the default font for internet memes. Earlier, we spoke about some fonts being labeled the most hated fonts simply because of negative associations. Impact suffered this plight and therefore does not feel too refined or impactful when used in promotional graphics. 

On another note, Impact is not the best choice when it comes to legibility. Though bold and attention-grabbing, the condensed structure of this font impacts legibility in smaller sizes. Besides, overusing this font can overwhelm the audience. So yes, there are enough reasons to think of alternatives to this font. 

If you need an equally bold option that can be used in place of the overused Impact font, here are a few:

• Anton – if you need something that looks exactly like Impact but with slightly lighter strokes and less condensed, then Anton is a great choice. 
• Archivo Black – a bold display font which is great for headlines, but slightly more rounded and better in readability.
• Compacta – heavy and attention-grabbing, yet has a slight retro feel. 

9. Bleeding Cowboys 

A cool, grunge-style font, Bleeding Cowboys is one of those fonts that can be used as it is without additional decorative elements to add character to the design. It quickly became a go-to choice for designers looking for a quick and easy way to give their work an edgy, handcrafted look, especially for rock band logos, tattoo parlors, and posters for action movies.

However, the rigid adherence to its style made it appear more like a fad than a trend worth adopting in the design segment. Besides, in the duration when it was famous, it was one of the most overused fonts for any design that calls for a grunge aesthetic. As a result, any design today that features Bleeding Cowboys feels like an amateur music band poster. 

Finally, the swashes and textures can sometimes feel dramatic too. Let’s be honest, this is not an easy font to work with either. 

So, what are some vintage fonts that carry a Western vibe similar to Bleeding Cowboys without being as tough to work with and without looking dated? 

• Bonfire – rustic and textured, yet feels softer and easier to use. 
• Roadkill – grungy yet feels more refined and is more legible than Bleeding Cowboys.
• Grind – industrial feel, bold letterforms, distressed textures for a raw, authentic feel. 

10. Times New Roman

Another classic font, which was once considered a staple and is now among the most hated fonts, is Times New Roman. 

This is because Times New Roman is an easily available font and is pervasive in the world of design. Because of being used too often, designers often feel tired of the font. Therefore, it’s safe to say that this font seems to lack the novelty it once had. 

Besides, Times New Roman was designed for a time when designers needed something dependable and easy to read for print. Now brands need fonts that transition well from print to digital and vice versa. So now there are several more options in classy serif fonts that look good across various channels and design formats. 

Want that classic serif aesthetic without feeling too “commonplace”? Here are some options:

• Lora – serif font, which is an excellent choice for readability and is known for its modern appeal. 
• Crimson Text – old style serif font but with a professional tone which feels stable.
• Charter – with wider letterforms than Times New Roman, Charter feels slightly more relaxed. 

Stop Letting Bad Font Choices Ruin Good Designs 

Fonts in the above list are some of the most hated because of how common they are and how unimaginative they make your designs look. But in addition to these overused fonts, there are a few that instantly tell people that you are not serious about your business – like Chiller, Curlz MT, and Jokerman. Avoid these fonts if you want your audience to start trusting your brand and recognizing you for your authenticity. 

In short, choosing the right font for your design can make or break your brand’s credibility. That’s where a professional design team comes in. With experienced designers working on your brand designs, you can stay away from overused fonts and adopt fresh ones that feel relevant to your design and relevant to your brand as well. 

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