Compare Fonts → Sans Serif → Ubuntu vs Fira Sans
Ubuntu vs Fira Sans
Both are sans serif faces on Google Fonts. Fira Sans has the larger x-height, so it looks bigger at the same size. Ubuntu takes more horizontal space.
Ubuntu
Handgloves & Quartz Jockeys
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.
Fira Sans
Handgloves & Quartz Jockeys
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
| Measurement | Ubuntu | Fira Sans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| x-heightHeight of lowercase letters, as a share of the font size. Higher reads larger at the same point size. | 52.0% | 52.7% | 0.7% |
| Cap heightHeight of capitals, as a share of the font size. | 69.3% | 68.9% | 0.4% |
| x-height to cap ratioProportion of lowercase to uppercase. Higher feels more modern and open. | 0.75 | 0.77 | 0.02 |
| Stroke weightMeasured thickness of a vertical stroke. Higher is heavier on the page. | 9.7% | 9.9% | 0.2% |
| Stroke contrastHorizontal stroke divided by vertical. 1.0 is even; below 0.5 means strong thick-thin modulation. | 0.84 | 0.75 | 0.10 |
| Average character widthMean lowercase advance. Higher takes more horizontal space. | 51.3% | 50.8% | 0.5% |
Where they diverge most
- Stroke contrast: Ubuntu measures 0.84, Fira Sans measures 0.75. Horizontal stroke divided by vertical. 1.0 is even; below 0.5 means strong thick-thin modulation.
- x-height: Ubuntu measures 52.0%, Fira Sans measures 52.7%. Height of lowercase letters, as a share of the font size. Higher reads larger at the same point size.
- x-height to cap ratio: Ubuntu measures 0.75, Fira Sans measures 0.77. Proportion of lowercase to uppercase. Higher feels more modern and open.
At a glance
| Ubuntu | Fira Sans | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Sans Serif | Sans Serif |
| Weights | 4 | 9 |
| Variable axes | None | None |
| Language subsets | 6 | 7 |
| Designer | Dalton Maag | Carrois Apostrophe |