Akzidenz-Grotesk vs Franklin Gothic

Franklin Gothic was influenced by Akzidenz-Grotesk.

Type specimen — Akzidenz-Grotesk (Grotesque sans); shown in Archivo, a close match (OFL)

Akzidenz-Grotesk

Berthold's 1896 grotesque — the sober German jobbing sans that, half a century later, became the favored typeface of Swiss modernism and the direct ancestor of Helvetica and Univers.

  • Low stroke contrast with subtly squared curves
  • Moderate x-height, looser than later neo-grotesques
  • Closed aperture on c, e, s
  • Curved, tucked leg on the capital R
  • Even, sober color suited to jobbing and text
Full Akzidenz-Grotesk guide →
Type specimen — Franklin Gothic (Grotesque sans); shown in Libre Franklin, a close match (OFL)

Franklin Gothic

Morris Fuller Benton's 1902 American grotesque — a bold, sturdy 'Gothic' that became the voice of newspaper headlines and advertising for a century. Muscular where the Swiss sans are cool.

  • Bold, sturdy weight with visible stroke contrast
  • Double-story a with a generous, open bowl
  • Double-story g with a distinctive ear
  • Slightly narrowed, energetic capitals
  • Curved R leg with a sturdy junction
Full Franklin Gothic guide →

At a glance

Akzidenz-GroteskFranklin Gothic
Era18961902
DisciplineTypographyTypography
RegionGermanyUnited States
FamilySans-serifSans-serif
Formal traitsgrotesque, low-contrast, closed-aperture, neutralgrotesque, gothic, double-story-g, low-contrast

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