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Benguiat Font

The quirky 1970s serif made famous by Stranger Things

Ed Benguiat · Display serif (Art Nouveau influenced) · 1977 · × Paid license (in Adobe Fonts)

Download Free Alternative

Fraunces · closest free match to Benguiat

Benguiat font poster: glowing red outlined serif headline on a dark 1980s backgroundBenguiat style serif on a retro paperback novel cover and a VHS tapeBenguiat style character set: uppercase and lowercase alphabet, numbers and symbols

Illustrations of the Benguiat style made for DaFontFonts. Letterforms are approximate; check the official specimen before you buy.

Download Benguiat

License:
Paid license (in Adobe Fonts)
Font Type:
Paid
Download:
Free alternative: Fraunces (OFL-1.1)
Format:
TTF
Total Files:
18 styles + licence
Download Free Alternative

Benguiat itself is not free to download. This button gives you Fraunces, the closest free match, licensed for commercial use. ITC Benguiat on Adobe Fonts

About Benguiat

Ed Benguiat, one of the most prolific lettering artists of the twentieth century, designed ITC Benguiat in 1977. It mixes a large x-height and soft, quirky serifs with Art Nouveau influences, giving it a decorative, slightly mysterious character that feels unmistakably 1970s and 80s.

The font was common on paperback covers of the era, especially horror and science-fiction novels. Its use for the Stranger Things title sequence in 2016 brought it a huge new audience, and it is now the go-to font for retro 80s, horror and nostalgia designs.

Where Benguiat works best

  • Retro 80s and horror designs
  • Book covers
  • Posters and title cards
  • Nostalgia-themed branding

Free alternatives to Benguiat

Open-licence fonts with a comparable feel, every one verified free for commercial use and downloadable from DaFontFonts.

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
Fraunces Serif · 18 styles · variable ✓ OFL

Fraunces has soft, quirky 'wonky' serifs and heavy weights, a free way to capture Benguiat's 1970s character.

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
Young Serif Serif · 1 style ✓ OFL

Young Serif is a heavy old-style display face with a warm, retro feel close to Benguiat's bold weights.

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
Rozha One Serif · 1 style ✓ OFL

Rozha One brings high-contrast, heavy serif drama for title cards and posters.

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
Abril Fatface Display · 1 style ✓ OFL

Abril Fatface delivers bold, decorative serif impact for retro headlines.

Benguiat is a trademark of its owner. DaFontFonts does not host or distribute the Benguiat font files; download and licence links go to the official source.

Questions

What font is used in Stranger Things?

The Stranger Things title is set in ITC Benguiat, a 1977 typeface by Ed Benguiat.

Is Benguiat font free?

No. ITC Benguiat is a commercial font, available through Adobe Fonts or a paid license. Fraunces and Young Serif are free alternatives with a similar retro feel.

Who designed Benguiat?

Ed Benguiat designed it for ITC in 1977. He also created many other famous typefaces and logos.

How do I make the Stranger Things title effect?

Use a Benguiat-style bold serif, add a thin red outline with a soft red glow on a black background, and stretch the first and last letters to frame the title.

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