What Font Does Hades Use?
First, a quick disambiguation: this article is about the hades font from Hades, the acclaimed roguelike by Supergiant Games — not the typography of the Greek god of the underworld himself. The game’s logo and interface are some of the most admired in modern game design, and the answer to “what font” is the familiar one: it is custom. The wordmark and UI lettering were created specifically for the game. Below we explain the look and the best free ways to echo it.
What font is the Hades logo?
The Hades logo is a custom display wordmark with an elegant, classical-yet-edgy character. It blends the feel of carved Greek lettering — high contrast, refined, slightly stylised — with the bold, graphic-novel energy that defines Supergiant’s art direction. The result reads as both ancient myth and modern comic, which perfectly captures a game about escaping the underworld with style and attitude.
Because it is bespoke, you will not find “Hades” in a foundry library, and any claim that the logo “is” a specific named font should be treated as an informed observation, not a confirmed spec. What is dependable is the category: an elegant, high-contrast display serif with classical proportions and a dramatic flourish.
What typeface does Hades use in-game (UI/menus)?
In-game, Hades is famous for its gorgeous, hand-illustrated interface. The menus, ability cards, dialogue boxes, and codex are richly decorated with ornamental borders, painterly portraits, and carefully set type that feels bespoke and luxurious. The body and UI text lean toward clean, readable faces so that fast-paced runs stay legible, while headers and names carry more classical, stylised treatment.
Supergiant Games has not published a full breakdown of every UI font, and the interface combines custom art with set type, so treat any specific font name you see online as unconfirmed. The reliable takeaway: the magic is in the pairing — an elegant, mythic display style for titles, a clean readable face for functional text, all wrapped in hand-drawn ornamentation. That combination is far more responsible for the look than any single typeface.
Free fonts that look like the Hades font
To approximate the Hades style, target elegant, classical display serifs with high contrast — then pair with a clean body face. Free options include:
- Cinzel — free on Google Fonts; based on classical Roman inscriptional capitals, ideal for the Greek-myth grandeur.
- Cormorant — a free, high-contrast display serif with refined, dramatic letterforms.
- Marcellus — a free elegant serif with a carved, antique character that suits mythological titling.
- EB Garamond — free and highly readable; a strong choice for body and codex-style text.
| Use case | Hades uses | Free alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Logo / title | Custom elegant display serif | Cinzel / Cormorant |
| Headings / names | Classical stylised serif | Marcellus |
| UI / body text | Clean readable face (unconfirmed) | EB Garamond |
To complete the effect, surround your type with ornamental borders and rich color — Supergiant’s illustrated framing does as much work as the lettering itself. Set your title serif large and let the high stroke contrast breathe; cramped spacing kills the classical elegance. A deep, saturated background — Hades favours reds, golds, and inky blacks — makes a high-contrast serif glow like carved marble lit by torchlight.
If you want the comic-book half of the equation, pair the refined serif with a bolder accent face for character names or labels, and add a subtle drop shadow or outline so titles pop off illustrated backdrops. That tension between graceful serif and punchy framing is exactly the trick that gives Hades its “ancient myth, modern attitude” signature.
Why does Hades use this kind of type?
The typography reinforces the game’s tone: classical Greek mythology retold with confidence, humour, and gorgeous art. Elegant high-contrast serifs evoke ancient inscriptions and divine grandeur, while the comic-book color and ornamentation keep it modern, lively, and cool rather than stuffy. It signals “this is myth, but it is going to be stylish and fun.”
This refined, illustrated approach sets Hades apart from the loud, hard-edged type common in action games, giving it a premium, artful identity that matches its critical reputation. It is a masterclass in pairing display flourish with functional readability. For more on how studios express personality through letterforms, see our roundup of the best gaming fonts — and for a playful opposite, the inky chaos in our Splatoon logo font breakdown.
The choice also supports the game’s enormous volume of writing. Hades is unusually text-heavy for an action game, with thousands of voiced lines and codex entries, so the interface needs type that stays comfortable to read for hours. Pairing a decorative mythic display style for titles with a calm, classical body face is a deliberate solution: the personality lives in the headers and ornamentation, while the reading text stays out of the way. That discipline is why the UI feels lavish without ever becoming tiring.
Can I use the Hades font for my own project?
There is no official Hades font to license, so any recreation uses look-alikes. The free serifs above — Cinzel, Cormorant, Marcellus, EB Garamond — can be used under their own licenses, but confirm commercial terms first. Our font licensing guide explains exactly what to check before you ship.
The logo and art are protected. “Hades,” its wordmark, and Supergiant’s illustrated assets are the studio’s intellectual property. You cannot reproduce the actual logo, or a confusingly similar imitation, on merchandise or branding implying an official connection. Fan art and personal study are generally fine; commercial use of the marks is not. Build your own mythic lockup with free serifs and ornamentation, and keep it clearly distinct from Supergiant’s work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hades font free to download?
No. The Hades logo from Supergiant Games is custom lettering, not a retail typeface, so there is no official download. To match it, use a free elegant display serif like Cinzel, Cormorant, or Marcellus, paired with ornamental borders to capture the Greek-myth, hand-drawn style.
What font is closest to the Hades logo?
Cinzel is the closest free match because its classical Roman inscriptional capitals echo the logo’s carved, mythological grandeur. Cormorant offers a more dramatic high-contrast alternative, and Marcellus suits antique titling. Add rich color and ornamentation to complete the Supergiant look.
Is this about the Hades game or the Greek god?
This article is about the typography of Hades the video game by Supergiant Games, not the deity. The game’s custom logo and hand-illustrated UI are the focus. The Greek god is the game’s subject, which is why the lettering leans into classical, mythological serif styling.
Can I use a Hades-style font commercially?
You can use free look-alike serifs commercially if their license allows, but you cannot reproduce Supergiant’s trademarked Hades logo or illustrated assets, or a confusingly similar version. Keep your design clearly distinct from the official brand, and verify each font’s license before publishing or selling.
