Fonts and Typefaces: A look at variable fonts in CSS

Choosing the right typography is essential to establishing the look and feel of a website. With variable fonts in CSS, we now have more options and flexibility than ever. In this article, we will explore variable fonts and their application in CSS, especially focusing on the popular Montserrat typeface.

What are variable fonts in CSS?

Variable fonts are a font type that contains multiple design axes, allowing for greater customization and adjustment. Unlike standard fonts, which only offer one version for each style (bold, italic, etc.), variable fonts allow you to adjust properties such as weight, slant, and width over a continuous range.

This means that, instead of having several individual variants of a font, such as Montserrat Regular, Montserrat Bold, etc., a Montserrat variable font can be modified in real time to suit different styles and needs. This simplifies page loading and offers greater layout flexibility.

The Montserrat typeface: A gem among variable fonts

The Montserrat typeface is a clear example of a variable font that has gained popularity in web design. Developed by Julieta Ulanovsky, Montserrat is inspired by the traditional advertisement signs of Buenos Aires. Its modern and elegant style makes it a popular choice for websites with a contemporary focus.

Montserrat offers a wide range of styles and weights, from Thin to ExtraBlack, allowing designers great versatility in the use of this typeface. Its readability and attractive aesthetic make it an excellent choice for titles, headings, and large text.

How to use the Montserrat font in CSS

To use the Montserrat font in your web project, you can follow these steps:

  1. Download the font from the official Google Fonts site or from the Montserrat GitHub repository.
  2. Add the source to your web project following the official documentation of each platform.
  3. In your CSS file, add the following style rule:
@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Montserrat:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400;1,700&display=swap'); body { font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif; }

Once you've added this style rule, Montserrat will be applied as the default font for the text inside the body tag (<body>) of your website.

You can adjust and customize Montserrat styles to your needs using standard CSS properties like font-weight, font-style y font-size.

Conclusion

Variable fonts in CSS, like Montserrat, offer unprecedented flexibility and customization for web design. By using variable fonts, we can reduce the number of font files and optimize performance, while providing an engaging and consistent visual experience.

If you haven't tried variable fonts yet, I encourage you to experiment with Montserrat in your next project. I am sure you will be surprised by the number of possibilities you will have in your hands to improve the aesthetics of your website.

Frequently asked questions

  1. What are the advantages of using variable fonts in CSS?
  2. Variable fonts offer greater flexibility and customization in font properties, allowing you to continuously adjust fonts based on design needs.

  3. Where can I find the Montserrat font?
  4. You can find and download the Montserrat font from the official Google Fonts site or from its GitHub repository.

  5. Is Montserrat suitable for all types of projects?
  6. Montserrat is a versatile font suitable for a wide range of web and graphic design projects. However, it is always advisable to evaluate whether it adapts to the specific style and objective of your project.

  7. Can I use the Montserrat font in commercial projects?
  8. Yes, Montserrat is available under the Open Font License, which means you can use it for free in personal and commercial projects without restrictions.

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