What fonts does Safari use?

Answered by Willie Powers

Safari, the web browser developed by Apple, uses a default font called San Francisco on iPhones. This font was introduced by Apple with the release of iOS 9 in 2015. Prior to that, Safari on iPhones used the Helvetica font.

San Francisco is a modern sans-serif typeface designed by Apple specifically for its devices. It was created to provide better readability and legibility on both small screens, like those on iPhones, and larger screens, like Mac computers. The font was initially developed for the Apple Watch, and later expanded for use on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

The San Francisco font family includes different variations such as San Francisco Text, San Francisco Display, and San Francisco Compact. These variations are designed to optimize readability and legibility in different contexts. For example, San Francisco Display is used for larger headings and titles, while San Francisco Text is used for body text and smaller sizes.

One of the key features of the San Francisco font is its dynamic scaling. This means that the font adjusts its weight and spacing based on the size and resolution of the screen. This ensures that the text remains crisp and easy to read, whether you are using a small iPhone screen or a larger iPad or Mac display.

Personally, I find the San Francisco font to be clean and visually appealing. It has a modern look that fits well with Apple’s design aesthetic. The font’s readability is especially important on mobile devices, where screen real estate is limited. The San Francisco font helps to make web browsing on iPhones a pleasant and comfortable experience.

The default font used by Safari on iPhones is Apple’s San Francisco font. It was introduced with iOS 9 and replaced the previously used Helvetica font. The San Francisco font family includes variations optimized for different screen sizes and contexts. Its dynamic scaling feature ensures that text remains legible on both small and large screens.