Compare the same code in different programming fonts. Inspect character shapes, spacing and punctuation, then choose a font to try in your editor. Each screenshot uses VS Code Dark+ syntax colors, regular weight at 18 px and ligatures off.
Monospace fonts in useOur starting point for comparing a dotted zero and tall lowercase letters.
Compare 0 with O, then compare 1, I and l. Look at the height of the lowercase letters beside the capitals.
The tall lowercase shapes give the code a compact vertical texture. Try a larger line height in your editor if you prefer more space between lines.
Our choice for exploring how connected operators change the look of a code sample.
Compare !==, => and <=. The screenshot keeps the operators separate. Use the official source to see ligature examples.
The release has upright styles. If your editor uses italic comments, check how it handles the missing italic style.
Our reference for comparing separate operators with fonts that join them.
Look at the spacing around braces, the width of m and the separate marks in !==.
Choose another candidate if you want operators to join. Use this one to judge the shapes of each symbol on its own.
An editorial choice for comparing a font with more distinctive curves.
Compare the lowercase a and g with the other candidates. Then inspect the curved strokes in the same code.
The letter shapes have a strong visual character. Test them in repeated identifiers before choosing them for a full editor theme.
Our choice for a simple family with separate operator shapes.
Compare the zero, the uppercase I and the lowercase l. Check commas and periods at your normal editor size.
The family has a smaller style range than the variable fonts here. Compare its regular weight before using bold syntax colors.
Our narrow option for comparing how much code fits on a line.
Compare line lengths with a wider font in the same sample. Inspect braces and the lowercase m.
The narrow shapes put characters closer together. Try your own long identifiers to see whether you prefer that spacing.
Our choice for testing discretionary ligatures with a different letter texture.
Compare the lowercase letters and the shape of the zero. This screenshot keeps === and -> separate.
An editor that enables only standard or contextual ligatures may leave its operators separate. Check whether your editor can enable dlig.
Our choice for exploring a font with several explicit OpenType settings.
Compare repeated operators and the spacing around wide and narrow letters. The screenshot uses the regular font with optional features off.
Your editor may need explicit OpenType settings for its coding ligatures and texture healing.
Our choice for developers who want to customize specific character shapes.
The specimen shows Input Mono. Inspect its punctuation, then use the official tester to compare alternate forms of a, g, i, l and 0.
Input is free for private use in your coding environment. Public font embedding needs a separate license, so this page provides a code screenshot and links to its official tester.
Compare similar characters.
Inspect 0, O and o, then 1, I, l and |. Use a size close to your editor setting.
Inspect punctuation and spacing.
Compare periods, commas, colons and semicolons. Check nested braces and long identifiers in your own code.
Try ligatures both ways.
Try operators with ligatures on and off in your editor. Each font supports a different set. Use the setting you prefer.
Finish in your editor.
Install your preferred font and test it with your theme. Browser rendering can differ from your editor because of font settings, screen scale and rendering software.
For design references, browse monospace fonts used on websites. That collection shows real font uses. This guide compares fonts for your coding environment.
Compare similar character shapes, punctuation, spacing and the styles your editor uses. Test your own code at your normal size. Choose the shapes and spacing you prefer.
Programming ligatures show a character sequence, such as != or =>, with a combined visual form. They change the display, while the text keeps its original characters. See the Fira Code source for examples.
Try both settings with code you know. Enable them if you prefer the combined operators. Leave them off if you prefer separate symbols. Some fonts or editor settings do not support them.
Install the desktop font from its official source, then select it in your editor. Restart the editor if the font does not appear.
In Visual Studio Code, open User Settings (JSON) and set editor.fontFamily to the installed family name. Set editor.fontLigatures to true for standard ligatures, or use explicit feature settings when needed. Follow the official VS Code instructions.
In IntelliJ IDEA, open Settings → Editor → Font. Select the font, then adjust its size, line height and Enable ligatures setting. Follow the official IntelliJ IDEA instructions.