What Font Does Apple Use In Their Keynote Presentations ((free)) Review

Before creating San Francisco, Apple relied heavily on Helvetica. Modern versions like Helvetica Now offer a very close, classic Apple look.

The system automatically switches between SF Pro Display (for text 20pt and larger) and SF Pro Text (for smaller text) to optimize legibility.

After conducting extensive research and analyzing various sources, it appears that Apple uses a custom version of the San Francisco font in their keynote presentations. San Francisco is a sans-serif font designed by Apple in 2014, specifically for use on their devices and marketing materials. The font was created to provide a clean, legible, and consistent visual identity across all Apple platforms. what font does apple use in their keynote presentations

Example slide text styles (suggested):

Proprietary system font built explicitly for high-resolution digital screens. Before creating San Francisco, Apple relied heavily on

: The font automatically adjusts its tracking and "optical size" based on the text's point size, using a "Display" version for large titles (20pt and above) and a "Text" version for smaller body content. Visual Style

For an in-depth look at the latest expansions and features of the San Francisco font family, watch this presentation from WWDC: it automatically uses the Display version

Apple’s hardware design is defined by symmetry, rounded corners, and precise geometry. Avenir mirrors this. Its circular bowls and perfectly straight stems align with the aesthetic of the devices being shown on the slide. When an image of an iPhone is placed next to Avenir text, the hardware and the typography feel like parts of the same object. There is no visual friction.

The San Francisco family includes two variants: SF Pro Text and SF Pro Display. The Text version has slightly more spacing and taller x-heights for readability at small sizes (like on a watch face), while the Display version is visually tighter for large headlines. When Apple’s Keynote software detects a slide title at 100 points, it automatically uses the Display version; a footnote at 12 points triggers the Text version. Helvetica cannot do this.

Here is an essay exploring the evolution and significance of Apple’s keynote font choices.