lmodern or newtxtext with pdfLaTeX, and use fontspec with XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX when you want system fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or EB Garamond.
Quick answer: use pdfLaTeX with font packages for traditional LaTeX workflows, and use XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX with
fontspec when you need system fonts or modern OpenType features.Related topics: Text formatting | Document classes | Choosing a compilerHow to Change the Font in LaTeX
Font Basics
The Three Font Attributes
LaTeX fonts have three independent attributes:Combining Font Attributes
Font Packages (pdfLaTeX)
Popular Font Packages
Font Package Comparison
System Fonts (XeLaTeX/LuaLaTeX)
Using System Fonts
Font Selection by Name
Font Features
OpenType Features (XeLaTeX/LuaLaTeX)
Microtype Package
Font Sizes
Changing Font Size
Size Commands Reference
Mathematical Fonts
Math Font Packages
Unicode Math (XeLaTeX/LuaLaTeX)
Special Typography
Drop Caps
Custom Fonts for Special Text
Font Troubleshooting
Common Issues and Solutions
How to Set the Document Font to Times New Roman
Times New Roman itself is a proprietary Microsoft font, so what you normally want is a metric-compatible equivalent that ships with TeX. With pdfLaTeX, load one package in the preamble and everything follows:\usepackage{newtxtext,newtxmath}— the current recommendation, Times for text and matching maths\usepackage{mathptmx}— older, still widely used, Times text and maths\usepackage{times}— obsolete, leaves maths in Computer Modern; avoid it
fontspec: \setmainfont{Times New Roman}, provided the font is installed. On a
Linux build machine it usually is not, in which case \setmainfont{TeX Gyre Termes}
gives you the same metrics.
Journals that ask for “Times New Roman 12pt” accept any of the metric-compatible
options above.
Best Practices
Font Comparison
For Traditional Documents
- Times (mathptmx)
- Palatino (mathpazo)
- Computer Modern (default)
- Latin Modern (lmodern)
For Modern Documents
- Helvetica (helvet)
- Open Sans
- Source Sans Pro
- Roboto
For Technical Documents
- Computer Modern
- STIX Two
- Libertinus
- KP Fonts
For Books
- Minion Pro
- Sabon
- Garamond
- Baskerville
Quick Reference
Next: Learn about Mathematical equations to create complex mathematical expressions with proper formatting.