When you open a screenplay from almost any Hollywood era, you'll likely notice that almost all of them generally look the same. The page layouts are nearly identical, the dialogue appears in the same place, and scene headings, descriptions, and character names all follow the same familiar pattern.
But the biggest part of the consistent aesthetics comes down to one element — the font.
Screenplays aren't meant to showcase your unique and personalized design preferences. You're not given the freedom to express yourself through lavish fonts and one-of-a-kind format. Screenplays are technical documents that work as blueprints for potential feature films. The general screenplay format is the way it has almost always been primarily because scripts need to be easy for script readers, producers, executives, managers, agents, talent, directors, and crew members to read quickly. That is why the film industry has standardized formatting, including the font.
So, what font should screenplays be in? And why?
Here's everything you need to know about the font that screenplays use.
The Standard Screenplay Font
The standard font for screenplays is Courier 12-point.
These days, modern screenwriting software like the industry-standard Final Draft use Courier Prime, which is an updated version of the classic Courier typeface that was designed specifically for screenwriters. It does a great job of preserving the familiar and traditional look of Courier while improving readability on modern-era screens and printed pages.
Other acceptable versions include:
- Courier
- Courier New
- Courier Final Draft
What is most unique about Courier is that letters in the Courier font occupy the exact same amount of horizontal space. Consistency is key. Other formats have different stylistic variances with different letters. Courier keeps it clean, simple, and consistent.
Why Courier?
Why did Hollywood settle with Courier in the first place?
When Hollywood began to write scripts for movies, those scripts were written on typewriters. Before computers, virtually every screenplay was typed on mechanical typewriters. Courier was the standard typeface because every character occupied the same amount of space, creating perfect consistency even back then.
When screenwriting software arrived in the late 1980s and early 1990s, during the screenwriting boom of that era, the Courier font was carried over into the digital age. It was part tradition and part of an effort to ensure that everything remained standardized. That preservation is something that script readers, producers, studios, networks, and now streamers have relied on for decades.
Why Screenwriters Should Always Stick with the Standard Courier Font
Beginning screenwriters, or outright risk-takers (which can be a good thing, mind you), always wonder if changing the font will make their screenplays stand out.
It will, but not in a positive way.
Using fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, Helvetica, or any outright decorative typeface is an immediate red flag that the screenwriter either doesn't know the industry standards and expectations, or chooses to ignore them. Neither creates a good first impression. And sometimes you only get one immediate impression to make.
Your screenplay should stand out because of its concept, story, characters, structure, themes, and overall narrative — not because it looks cool, different, or pretty.
Why Does Font Matter That Much?
Screenplays have to be consistent in their font and overall format because each script is used as a blueprint for sometimes hundreds of people tasked with making your cinematic story come to life. Any other font choice leads to big variances in page count and readability.
- Production crew members above and below the line need to break down the script into shooting schedules, location scouting, sound design, wardrobe design, and special effects.
- Executives need to break down and track the script for budget reports.
- Directors and actors need to use them for rehearsals, table reads, script changes, and performance preparation.
The font needs to be standardized to ensure everyone is literally and figuratively on the same page.
Final Draft Screenwriting Software Does All the Work for You
Thankfully, most screenwriters don't have to even worry about ensuring that they are using the right font. Why? Because the industry-standard screenwriting software, Final Draft, does it for you.
When you create a new screenplay in Final Draft screenwriting software, the document is automatically formatted with the font choice of Courier Final Draft. Yes, you can go in and change the format to your liking, but it's always recommended to stay with the industry standard.
When Can You Use Different Fonts as a Screenwriter?
Don't worry. There's still room to be creative in the aesthetics of your screenwriting.
Title Page
One variance you can play with is on the Title Page.
If you're using Final Draft, open your document and then click on Document at the top of the display. Then click on Title Page from the drop-down menu. This will take you to the title page of your screenplay document. You'll immediately see temporary text in the proper fields (Title, Written By, Name of Writer, etc.). The temporary placeholder text is already in the Courier Final Draft font.
If you would like to make the actual script title pop a bit more, you can select the title, click on Format, and then select from a long list of additional fonts.
Keeping it simple is always the best way to go. However, if you're looking for an opportunity to do something different, you can have fun with the script title font on the title page.
Pitch Decks
Pitch decks are creative documents that pitch your feature screenplay, touching on concepts, themes, story/plot points, story/character arcs, budget ranges, target demographics, etc.
There is generally no standard for pitch decks. They should be short, sweet, and to the point. They should avoid being overly busy when it comes to aesthetics. But screenwriters can push their creativity a little more with different fonts, images, and other creative tools.
Stick with the Industry Standard Courier Screenplay Font for Screenplays
You always want to do your best to avoid any immediate red flags with your screenplay. If industry insiders open your script and the script doesn't look like a script, that's a pretty glaring red flag to overcome.
Using the correct format and font is all about speaking the professional language of the film industry. Using Courier 12-point (and its variances) tells industry insiders that you understand screenplay conventions, allowing them to judge your work based solely on what truly matters — your cinematic storytelling abilities.
Have fun. Let the software do the work for you. And just tell an amazing story.