NSW Government masterbrand typeface
Public Sans
- Version
- 2.001
- Weights
- 100–900
- Styles
- Roman & italic
- Licence
- SIL Open Font License 1.1
Typography plays a key role in ensuring information is legible and accessible to customers. Public Sans is a free, open source typeface, to be used across all levels of our brand, making information clear and easy to read.
Specimen
Nine weights, one file
Public Sans is a variable font: every weight from Thin to Black lives on a single axis in a single file. Each line below is the same font at a different point on it.
100Thin
Clear information, for everyone
200ExtraLight
Clear information, for everyone
300Light
Clear information, for everyone
400Regular
Clear information, for everyone
500Medium
Clear information, for everyone
600SemiBold
Clear information, for everyone
700Bold
Clear information, for everyone
800ExtraBold
Clear information, for everyone
900Black
Clear information, for everyone
Character set
Select any character to copy it. The full set, including extended Latin and currency symbols, is on the Public Sans project site (opens in a new tab).
Uppercase
Lowercase
Numerals
Punctuation
Symbols
Try it
See how your words read
Edit the text, then move the sliders to find the size and weight your content needs. This is the same font file you are about to download.
Download
Get the official release
Public Sans is maintained by the United States Web Design System and released free under the SIL Open Font License. Always take it from the official source so you get the same version as everyone else.
Font files
The official USWDS release archive — variable and static font files in OTF, TTF and WOFF2.Background
The official Public Sans site, with the project’s background, design rationale and full character set.Changelog
What changed in v2.001, so you can check whether an update affects work already in production.
Install
Three steps on any machine
Download the archive above, then follow the steps for your operating system. Fonts install once and are then available to every application.
Windows
- Unzip the downloaded archive.
- Select all the font files, right-click and choose Install for all users.
- Restart Word, PowerPoint or your design software.
macOS
- Unzip the downloaded archive.
- Select all the font files and open them, then choose Install Font.
- Restart Word, PowerPoint or your design software.
Not seeing it in the font menu? Word, PowerPoint and most design tools only read the font list at startup. Quit the application completely and reopen it.
Using it
Why it reads well, and what to do when it is missing
Public Sans was drawn for public-sector text: forms, notices, reference numbers and long pages, read on whatever device someone happens to have.
Distinguishable characters
Capital I, lowercase l and the numeral 1 each keep their own shape, so codes, reference numbers and addresses stay unambiguous.
Open apertures
Generous openings on a, e, s and g keep letterforms distinct at small sizes and on low-quality screens.
Tall x-height
A large lowercase relative to the capitals keeps body text comfortable to read at the sizes forms and long pages actually use.
Alternate typeface
Public Sans is not a standard system font, so it will not always be available — when a presentation or document goes to a third party who has not installed it, for example. Where a fallback is required, the alternate is Arial, which ships with every operating system. Use Arial only when Public Sans is unavailable.
Support
Tell us if something is not working
It is important for us to know when people have difficulty with this typeface. If you hit a problem, contact the team that can fix it.
NSW Government Branding
For advice on applying Public Sans in a way that complies with the NSW Government brand.
NSW Design System
For implementation and technical questions about using Public Sans in digital products.