Times New Roman is a font that is familiar to most people and has a rich and varied history. Most people have used Times New Room, also affectionately abbreviated TNR, at one time or another. For many, it is a default font in their word processing or email program. College professors and publications often require submissions to be in Times New Roman. One reason for this is that the font is on almost every computer, making it extremely compatible across systems.
Origin
Times New Roman came to be because The Times (the British version) asked for the serif typeface to be created for them for use in their publications. The font was designed by Stanley Morison with the help of artist Victor Lardent, and it was officially put into print in 1932. Morison was already quite well known in British typography circles when he was commissioned to create Times New Roman and was the artistic advisor to the typesetting and font design company Monotype at the time.
Some other typefaces he is known for include Gill Sans, Perpetua, Bembo, Baskerville and Bell — with some of those being revamps of older typefaces. Before changing to TNR, The Times used Didone, which was seen as dated since it had been created in the 1800s. Didone was also not as bold or as heavy as TNR. Morison is said to have based the design off of the typeface Plantin, but then revised it to utilize the space as efficiently as possible.
Remember that it was being designed for newsprint, which tends to see space as premium real estate. The design was so well received that it was later offered for commercial sale to other publishers. The Times used the font for the next 40 years.
The Modern Difficulties of Font Creation
Monotype owns Times New Roman, along with other popular fonts, such as Helvetica and Arial. Monotype is also the owner of the MyFonts marketplace, where several thousand independent artists sell their designs. However, those creators have a tough mountain to climb to make fonts that become as widespread as Times New Roman.
Monotype has a stronghold on the font design industry, and portions of the profits font designers make by selling on MyFonts must go to that company. Consider the case of one MyFonts creator whose work attracted the attention of someone associated with the 2013 adaptation of “The Great Gatsby,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. They wanted to use the designer’s creation in the film, which sounds like a big, lucrative break. Although people worldwide ultimately saw the font while watching the movie, the creator only made $12 from the achievement.
Mechanics of Times New Roman
Because it was specifically created to be used in a newspaper, Times New Roman is naturally narrower than many other fonts used in body text. Even the bold style of TNR is fairly narrow for bold. This allows newspapers to fit in more text per line and save space for more advertising, or income.
Times New Roman has tall lower-case letters. It is seen as an older style serif font and has often been compared to the older typefaces, such as Baskerville, because it has a variety of both thick and thin strokes, creating some contrast and definition. Because it is a serif typeface, you will find serifs in some of the letters in TNR, such as “H,” “X,” and “I.”
However, the fact that TNR is a serif typeface put it under scrutiny by people providing feedback and guidance to the United States Department of State. In February 2023, that agency stopped using Times New Roman in all its formal communications.
It now uses Calibri. That change reportedly occurred because representatives decided the sans-serif Calibri better supported accessibility needs. More specifically, they believed it would be easier for people with visual or learning disabilities to read due to its cleaner look.
What Does the Font Imply?
The font is familiar and versatile, so it creates a comfortable feel for most people. One study places it as the most trustworthy font — however, that same study had Comic Sans in second place, so take the results as you will, depending upon your views of Comic Sans. Most people will instinctively recognize the font, even if they aren’t aware specifically that it is Times New Roman. They’ve likely seen this font in newspapers, magazines, books and online for years. It is like putting on an old, warm winter coat on a crisp day. It is comforting, somehow.
It is like putting on an old, warm winter coat on a crisp day. It is comforting, somehow. TNR is also the default font when you create a new document in Microsoft Word and start typing.
However, legal professionals have particularly polarized views about the font. Some go as far as to associate it with apathy. Others point out that TNR’s traditional look minimizes distractions for readers of the complex paragraphs typically found in legal agreements. Since some judges and courts have rules about which fonts acceptable documents must include, you should always check for such specifics before settling on Times New Roman or any other option.
Even though some critics will say that TNR is overused and you should try to find a different font, Times New Roman is still widely accepted in many circles. If the font works well for what you are designing, why throw it out just because it is common?
Where It’s Commonly Found/Used
As mentioned before, Times New Roman is often found in publications such as magazines, newspapers and books. It is quite popular in academia, with many professors requiring students to submit papers in TNR 12-point font. There is a reason for this. It is a standard size, and students can’t simply use a wider or bolder font to pad a paper when there is a specific page count required.
That’s the same reason why some publications require that material is submitted in TNR 12-point font. At a glance, the editor knows whether the article or story will fit within the space they have allotted for the piece. The writer can’t overwrite or underwrite, or it will be immediately apparent. The font was used in the Encyclopedia Britannica as well — which makes sense since the font has been so widely used in printed books.
People also choose Times New Roman when creating or updating their resumes, probably because it’s so easy to read. However, the font’s popularity among those looking for work is one reason to consider using something different. After all, a resume should help you stand out, and its design is one characteristic that makes it easier to get noticed among other candidates.
What Should It Be Used As?
Times New Roman works across just about any type of industry. It is a bit plain, but that is why it works so well for business papers and reports. Many signs feature it, too. It’s easy to read and translates well both in print and on-screen. It can be a bit faded-looking on screen as it is naturally a narrower and less weighted font. However, that can be fixed by increasing the font size or bolding.
Today, there are many additional versions of the typeface, including extra bold, condensed, Seven and Times New Roman World. There are also specifically designed versions, or Linotype variants, that are used for very specific purposes. For example, Times Ten was created for small text that is under 12 points or so. This version is just a touch wider to make it better to view on-screen.
The typeface you choose can impact everything from conversions to the overall branding of your company. Times New Roman offers a familiar and trustworthy look that can work well for almost any industry. Although there are certainly many other alternatives out there, it is doubtful that any are as well known or respected as Times New Roman.
Before selecting it for your next project, take the time to speak to your client about their expectations and needs. Get the details of whether TNR would fit the company’s brand image if used in future materials, too. Although the font choice can seem relatively minor, it makes a big difference in factors including readability and style.
The Font Series Guide: Introduction
Chapter 1: 15 Google Fonts You Should Be Using
Chapter 2: Times New Roman
Chapter 3: Roboto
Chapter 4: Georgia
Chapter 5: Verdana
Chapter 6: Helvetica
Chapter 7: Comic Sans
Chapter 8: Didot
Chapter 9: Arial
Chapter 10: Tahoma
Chapter 11: Garamond
Chapter 12: Century Gothic
Chapter 13: Brody
Chapter 14: Bromello
Chapter 15: Savoy
Chapter 16: Athene
Chapter 17: Calibri
Chapter 18: Proxima Nova
Chapter 19: Anders
Chapter 20: Monthoers
Chapter 21: Gotham
About The Author
Eleanor Hecks is the Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine, an online publication dedicated to providing in-depth content from the design and marketing industries. When she's not designing or writing code, you can find her re-reading the Harry Potter series, burning calories at a local Zumba class, or hanging out with her dogs, Bear and Lucy.
