Best Fonts for E-ink Reading

    The adoption of e-ink devices has blossomed over the years to include tablets, monitors, even niche products like phone cases. As I've navigated these devices I've explored various fonts that lend themselves to e-ink and compiled this list.

FreeSerif

Nikon D5, 105mm f/2.8D  Micro

    My preferred font. It has a classic feel, like an old yellowed paperback you'd find at the public library. I enjoy using it when reading most books, especially non-fiction. The font feels organic compared to fonts like Bookerly which were designed for e-ink. Legible but at smaller font sizes feels "imperfect" a bit like the subtle inconsistencies you’d see in vintage press or older offset prints. Good all around font.

Nikon D5, 105mm f/2.8D  Micro

[link to font website] 

 NOTES: It's counterpart FreeSans is great too and elicits the same feel albeit sans-serif. 

Commit Mono

Nikon D5, 105mm f/2.8D  Micro

    I like using this font for manuals, technology related/themed books, screenplays, etc. Since it's monospaced it's easy on the eyes, especially on e-ink, making it feel intentional or analogue. It's great for writing on e-ink as well encouraging a typewriter like rhythm. A must have in my opinion.

Nikon D5, 105mm f/2.8D  Micro

[link to font website]

 NOTES: I enjoy using commit mono across my e-ink devices as a system font. Runner up: IBM Plex Mono 

Atkinson Hyperlegible

Nikon D5, 105mm f/2.8D  Micro

    If you prefer a larger font, this font is perfect. Atkinson Hyperlegible named after Braille Institute founder, J. Robert Atkinson, was designed primarily for legibility. If you want to go all out against eye fatigue, this is it. I enjoy this font for most non-fiction books but it lends itself well to dark mode giving you an option for very low light reading. When reading in dark mode I use this font exclusively.

Nikon D5, 105mm f/2.8D  Micro

    I enjoy this font for most non-fiction books but it lends itself well to dark mode giving you an option for very low light reading. When reading in dark mode I use this font exclusively. The Boox Palma has a warm light that can go very dim and when combined with dark mode you can read in extreme low light relatively comfortably when using this font.

Nikon D5, 105mm f/2.8D  Micro

[link to font website]

JMH Typewriter

Nikon D5, 105mm f/2.8D  Micro

    Great for reading classic books when you want them to feel like a government document. Think banned, conspiracy, or historical books. It adds just a little extra immersion and lends itself to reading in short bursts.

Nikon D5, 105mm f/2.8D  Micro

[link to font website]

 NOTES: Great for reading any government themed books, makes you feel like you've stumbled on some sort of secret document. 

Open Dyslexic

It takes a while to warm up to this font but it can be really helpful for specific people. It is designed to shift most of the weight to the bottom to indicate direction and keep your mind from jumbling the letters. I don't use this font but it's important to list here because it increases accessibility to reading.

[link to font website]

Perfect E-Reading Font

If you must use the "perfect e-reading font" then look no further than the following three. These fonts were specifically designed for use on e-ink devices.

Nikon D5, 50mm f/1.4D

Bookerly

Designed by Dalton Maag specifically for the Kindle line of e-readers, this is the best serif font for e-ink reading. Can feel a bit "too perfect" when reading but if you want the best font for comfortable and efficient reading in general, Bookerly is it. 

Nikon D5, 105mm f/2.8D  Micro

[link to font website]

 NOTES: Designed for e-ink. I've yet to find anything better.  

Ember

Best sans-serif for e-ink reading. Great alternative to Bookerly if you prefer Sans. 

[link to font website] 

Literata

This is Google's take on a font for e-reading. I don't use this font but it competes directly with Amazon's offerings. 

[link to font website]

 NOTES: Make sure to download from the Type-Together website and select the "Text Regular" version.   

Getting your fonts onto the e-ink device is pretty straightforward. Using the method for your respective device such as a standard file explorer or an app like Android File Transfer, you can copy the font file directly into the fonts folder of your device. You can also do it on the device itself in some instances. 

Happy reading!

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