If you've found the perfect Cormorant typeface for your project, the next question is almost always about licensing. Can you use it freely? Do you need to pay? What happens if you're using it in a product you sell? These aren't trivial details getting font licensing wrong can lead to legal headaches, unexpected costs, or having to redo your entire design at the worst possible time.

The Cormorant family is widely loved for its elegant, high-contrast serif design. But because it exists in several variants and comes from a specific open-source license, understanding the fine print before you commit is smart practice. This article breaks down exactly what you need to know about licensing options for each variant.

What license does the Cormorant font family use?

The Cormorant typeface family, designed by Christian Thalmann, is released under the SIL Open Font License 1.1 (OFL). This is one of the most permissive open-source licenses available for typefaces. It was created specifically for font software and is endorsed by organizations like Google and the Free Software Foundation.

Under the SIL OFL, you can:

Use the fonts for personal and commercial projects
Embed them in documents, websites, apps, and software
Modify the fonts and create derivative works
Redistribute the original or modified versions

The main restriction is that you cannot sell the font files on their own. You also cannot redistribute modified versions under a different license any derivative must also use the SIL OFL.

Are all Cormorant variants covered under the same license?

Yes. The entire family shares the same SIL Open Font License. This includes:

Cormorant Garamond the most popular variant, optimized for body text and web use
Cormorant the display version with sharper contrast
Cormorant SC the small caps variant
Cormorant Infant with softer, rounded letterforms
Cormorant Unicase mixing upper and lowercase forms
Cormorant Upright an italic style drawn with upright proportions

Each variant is a separate font file, but the license terms are identical across all of them. If you understand the terms for one, you understand them for the whole family.

Can I use Cormorant fonts for client work or commercial projects?

Yes, absolutely. The SIL Open Font License explicitly allows commercial use. You can use any Cormorant variant in:

Logos and branding materials
Printed books, magazines, and packaging
Website designs and web applications
Mobile apps and software interfaces
Video and motion graphics
Merchandise and products for sale

You do not need to purchase a separate license, notify the designer, or pay royalties. If you're comparing this to commercial serif fonts that charge per-user or per-impression fees, the cost savings are significant especially for freelancers and small studios.

For designers exploring similar elegant serif options alongside Cormorant, there are other serif fonts worth comparing, though their licensing terms may differ.

Do I need a different license for web embedding vs. print?

No. The SIL OFL covers all use cases with a single license. Whether you're loading Cormorant Garamond through Google Fonts on a website, embedding it in a PDF, or using it in a printed brochure, the same license applies.

For web use specifically, Google Fonts hosts the Cormorant family and serves it through their CDN. When you link to the Google Fonts version, you're complying with the license automatically. You can also self-host the font files on your own server the license permits this as long as you include the original license text with the files.

What are common licensing mistakes people make with the Cormorant family?

Even though the license is straightforward, a few trip-ups happen regularly:

Confusing the free version with a paid repackage. Some marketplaces sell the Cormorant fonts or "premium" versions with added weights. The original files are free. Always check the source before paying.
Not including the license file when redistributing. If you bundle the fonts with a theme, template, or software product, you must include the OFL license text. Skipping this is technically a violation.
Selling the font files themselves. You can use the fonts in a paid product (like a design template), but you cannot sell the font as a standalone download.
Renaming modified versions without following the OFL rules. If you modify the font, you need to rename it to avoid confusion with the original and keep it under the SIL OFL.

Understanding these nuances matters because the style differences across the Cormorant family mean you might end up using multiple variants in a single project and each one carries the same obligations.

Where should I download Cormorant fonts to stay compliant?

The safest sources are:

Google Fonts the most convenient source for web use, with an API for easy integration
GitHub the official repository where Christian Thalmann publishes the source files
Font Squirrel a reputable aggregator that correctly labels the license

Avoid downloading from random sites that repackage free fonts with suspicious "commercial licenses" attached. The Cormorant family does not need a commercial license it already comes with one through the SIL OFL.

Do I need to credit the designer when using Cormorant?

No, attribution is not required under the SIL Open Font License. You can use the fonts in any project without mentioning Christian Thalmann or the license. However, crediting the designer is considered good practice in the type design community, and many designers appreciate it when you do.

If you include a credits section in your project or on your website, adding a note like "Typography set in Cormorant, designed by Christian Thalmann" is a kind gesture that costs nothing.

What if I want to modify a Cormorant variant for my brand?

You're free to modify any Cormorant font. Common modifications include:

Adjusting letter spacing or kerning for a specific use case
Adding custom ligatures
Creating a subset with only the characters you need
Tweaking specific glyphs for logo work

The license requires that if you redistribute a modified version, you must:

Rename the font (so it's distinguishable from the original)
Keep the derivative under the SIL Open Font License
Include the original license text

For internal use meaning you modify the font and only use it within your own organization you don't need to rename or redistribute anything.

Does the license change if I download Cormorant from a paid marketplace?

This is where things get tricky. Some design marketplaces sell bundles or "extended" versions of open-source fonts. If the underlying font is licensed under the SIL OFL, the license does not change just because someone is charging you for access. You would still have the same rights and restrictions as if you downloaded it for free.

However, some sellers pair open-source fonts with additional assets icons, templates, or design kits and charge for those extras. In that case, you're paying for the surrounding content, not the font itself. Read the listing carefully and check whether the font license listed matches the original OFL.

Quick checklist before using any Cormorant variant in your project

Run through this list to make sure you're covered:

Downloaded the font from a legitimate source (Google Fonts, GitHub, or a verified aggregator)
Confirmed the license is SIL Open Font License 1.1
If bundling the font with a product, included the OFL license text file
If modifying and redistributing, renamed the derivative font appropriately
Not reselling the font files as a standalone product
Saved the license file alongside the font files in your project folder

One practical tip: Create a simple text file in your project directory called "FONT-LICENSES.txt" that lists every font you're using along with its license. This habit will save you time if a client ever asks about licensing, and it keeps you organized across projects that use multiple typefaces.