Compare / Helvetica vs Times New Roman

Helvetica vs Times New Roman

Helvetica and Times New Roman compared on classification, designer, release year, licensing and web use. Helvetica is sans-serif and Times New Roman is serif. Sans-serif faces are typically chosen for interfaces, dashboards and body text on screens; serif faces for long-form reading and editorial layouts.

Helvetica ▸

Hamburgefonstiv

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. 0123456789

Times New Roman ▸

Hamburgefonstiv

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. 0123456789

Side by side

	Helvetica	Times New Roman
Classification	Sans-serif	Serif
Designer	Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann	Stanley Morison and Victor Lardent
Released	1957	1931
License	Commercial license required	Bundled with the operating system
On a website	Needs a web license (@font-face) before self-hosting	Only renders if installed on the visitor's device; embedding it needs its own web license

What to know

Helvetica is sans-serif and Times New Roman is serif. Sans-serif faces are typically chosen for interfaces, dashboards and body text on screens; serif faces for long-form reading and editorial layouts.
Licensing differs: Helvetica is "commercial license required", while Times New Roman is "bundled with the operating system". That matters before either one ships on a website or in a product.
Times New Roman (1931) is 26 years older than Helvetica (1957).

Which of these does your site use?

Paste your URL for a free scan: every font the page loads, where it is served from and whether it needs a license.

Questions

Can I use Helvetica and Times New Roman on my website?

Helvetica: Needs a web license (@font-face) before self-hosting. Times New Roman: Only renders if installed on the visitor's device; embedding it needs its own web license.

Is Helvetica better than Times New Roman?

Neither is better in every case. The right choice depends on where the text appears, your licensing situation and how each typeface looks in your layout; the specimen above shows both side by side.

How do I check which of these fonts my site uses?

Run the free Font Checker Pro scan on your URL: it lists every font the page loads, where each one is served from and whether it needs a license.

Try them with your own text →Helvetica details Times New Roman details