Markazi Text Font
Markazi Text is a Naskh-inspired Arabic typeface masterfully designed by Borna Izadpanah for optimal readability in extended text. It beautifully balances traditional aesthetics with modern screen performance, making it ideal for digital publications and academic content.
Distinctive Features of Markazi Text
Specifically designed for extended reading on screens, with clear letterforms and generous spacing.
Draws from the rich heritage of Naskh calligraphy, adapted for contemporary digital needs.
Balances classical calligraphic beauty with the functional demands of modern text typography.
Often available in several weights (e.g., Regular, Medium, Bold) to support clear typographic structure.
Ideal for e-books, online articles, academic papers, and any long-form digital text.
Recognized for its quality and contribution to Arabic type design (e.g., by Google Fonts & others).
Design Philosophy: Readability Rooted in Tradition
Markazi Text (مركزي, meaning "central" or "primary") is an Arabic typeface specifically designed by Borna Izadpanah, with contributions from Fiona Ross and Tim Holloway for Google Fonts. Its primary goal is to provide an exceptional reading experience for extended Arabic text, particularly on digital screens.
The design draws deep inspiration from the classical Naskh calligraphic style, which has long been the standard for legible Arabic text. However, Markazi Text is not merely a digitization of historical forms; it is a careful reinterpretation and optimization for contemporary typographic needs. It features well-defined letter shapes, generous counters, and carefully considered spacing to enhance clarity and reduce reader fatigue during long reading sessions.
Markazi Text successfully bridges the gap between traditional calligraphic beauty and modern functional requirements. Its award-winning design is a testament to its quality and its significant contribution to making Arabic content more accessible and enjoyable to read in the digital age.
Markazi Text Alphabet Showcase (Arabic & Latin)
Arabic
Latin (Example)
Markazi Text in Action: Reading Examples
The Arabic language is considered one of the richest languages in terms of vocabulary and linguistic structures.
A snippet from an academic paper or a scholarly article, where Markazi Text's readability excels.
Ideal Use Cases for Markazi Text
E-books & Digital Publishing
Provides a comfortable and engaging reading experience for lengthy texts on digital devices.
Online Newspapers & Magazines
Ensures excellent legibility for articles and news content, enhancing reader engagement.
Academic Journals & Research Papers
Its clarity and formal Naskh roots make it suitable for scholarly and academic publications.
Website Content (Long-Form Articles)
Perfect for blogs, detailed articles, and any web page with substantial text content.
Educational Texts & Materials
Supports clear communication in textbooks, learning materials, and instructional content.
Corporate Reports & Documentation
Lends a professional and highly readable quality to official documents and reports.
Technical Specifications
Borna Izadpanah, Fiona Ross, Tim Holloway (for Google Fonts)
Markazi Text is a collaborative design, with Borna Izadpanah leading the effort, drawing on deep Naskh expertise.
Google Fonts
Commissioned and distributed by Google Fonts as part of their initiative to provide high-quality open-source Arabic typefaces.
Naskh (Optimized for Text)
A contemporary interpretation of classical Naskh, specifically engineered for optimal on-screen text readability.
Readability in small sizes, comfortable for long reading, traditional Naskh aesthetics with modern performance.
These goals guided its development to serve as a premier Arabic text typeface for digital use.
Arabic (including Persian, Urdu variants), Latin
Often includes a companion Latin designed to harmonize with the Arabic, supporting bilingual documents.
SIL Open Font License 1.1 (OFL-1.1)
Freely available for use, modification, and redistribution, fostering its wide adoption.