Compare Fonts → Monospace → Source Code Pro vs Courier Prime

Source Code Pro vs Courier Prime

Both are monospace faces on Google Fonts. Source Code Pro has the larger x-height, so it looks bigger at the same size. Source Code Pro takes more horizontal space.

Try your own text

Source Code Pro

Handgloves & Quartz Jockeys

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs, then ship it to 1,842 Grove Street by 9:30 AM.

Courier Prime

Handgloves & Quartz Jockeys

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs, then ship it to 1,842 Grove Street by 9:30 AM.

Measured differences

Measured from the font files. Heights and widths are shown as a share of the font size, so they compare directly at any point size.
Measurement	Source Code Pro	Courier Prime	Difference
x-heightHeight of lowercase letters, as a share of the font size. Higher reads larger at the same point size.	48.6%	45.1%	3.5%
Cap heightHeight of capitals, as a share of the font size.	66.0%	58.0%	8.0%
x-height to cap ratioProportion of lowercase to uppercase. Higher feels more modern and open.	0.74	0.78	0.04
Stroke weightMeasured thickness of a vertical stroke. Higher is heavier on the page.	8.5%	7.7%	0.8%
Stroke contrastHorizontal stroke divided by vertical. 1.0 is even; below 0.5 means strong thick-thin modulation.	0.80	0.94	0.14
Average character widthMean lowercase advance. Higher takes more horizontal space.	60.0%	60.0%	0.0%

Where they diverge most

Stroke contrast: Source Code Pro measures 0.80, Courier Prime measures 0.94. Horizontal stroke divided by vertical. 1.0 is even; below 0.5 means strong thick-thin modulation.
x-height: Source Code Pro measures 48.6%, Courier Prime measures 45.1%. Height of lowercase letters, as a share of the font size. Higher reads larger at the same point size.
Stroke weight: Source Code Pro measures 8.5%, Courier Prime measures 7.7%. Measured thickness of a vertical stroke. Higher is heavier on the page.

At a glance

	Source Code Pro	Courier Prime
Category	Monospace	Monospace
Weights	8	2
Variable axes	1	None
Language subsets	7	2
Designer	Paul D. Hunt	Alan Dague-Greene