While working on a pitch deck for our client, Vikas, asked us, “What fonts and colors should we use to make our slides look professional and engaging?”
Our Creative Director responded, “The right fonts and colors aren’t just about aesthetics—they influence how your audience perceives your message.”
As a presentation design agency, we work on pitch decks throughout the year, and we’ve noticed that many struggle with choosing the right typography and color palette. These choices can impact clarity, readability, and even the emotional response of investors or stakeholders.
So, in this blog, we’ll break down the best fonts and colors for pitch decks—helping you create slides that are both visually appealing and highly effective.
Why Fonts and Colors Matter More Than You Think
Most people treat fonts and colors as an afterthought in pitch decks—something they pick last, almost like an accessory. That’s a huge mistake. Your choice of typography and color palette plays a critical role in how your message is perceived.
Investors don’t just evaluate numbers; they evaluate confidence, clarity, and brand personality. The wrong font can make your deck look amateurish. The wrong colors can create the wrong emotional response. And if your slides are hard to read? You’ve lost their attention before you even start talking.
Think about it—when you see a deck with clashing colors or hard-to-read text, do you feel excited about the company? Probably not. On the other hand, a deck that’s visually cohesive and easy to follow signals professionalism, attention to detail, and a well-thought-out business.
A well-chosen font and color scheme isn’t about making your deck look “pretty.” It’s about making sure your story is immediately clear, memorable, and persuasive. It ensures that every slide supports your message instead of distracting from it.
Ignoring design basics won’t just make your pitch deck look bad—it could cost you real opportunities.
Best Fonts & Colors for Pitch Decks
Best Fonts for Pitch Decks
Choosing the right font is about balancing readability, personality, and professionalism. Your audience should be able to read your slides at a glance, even from a distance, without struggling.
Here’s what works best:
1. Sans-Serif Fonts: The Gold Standard for Pitch Decks
Sans-serif fonts are clean, modern, and highly readable. Unlike serif fonts (which have decorative strokes at the ends of letters), sans-serif fonts appear crisp and work well on screens.
Some of the best sans-serif fonts for pitch decks include:
Helvetica – A timeless classic. It’s neutral, professional, and works for almost any industry.
Futura – A geometric sans-serif that feels modern and minimal.
Montserrat – A stylish, contemporary font that adds a bit of personality while staying clean.
Inter – Designed specifically for digital screens, making it extremely easy to read.
Avenir – A well-balanced font with a slightly futuristic feel, great for tech and innovation pitches.
2. Serif Fonts: When to Use Them (and When Not To)
Serif fonts carry a sense of tradition, authority, and trustworthiness. They’re commonly used in print, but they can be trickier to pull off in pitch decks. If you want to use one, make sure it’s highly legible and pairs well with a sans-serif font for contrast.
Some serif fonts that work in pitch decks:
Georgia – A classic serif font that remains readable on screens.
Merriweather – Designed for screen use, with a modern yet traditional look.
Playfair Display – A stylish choice, best used for headlines rather than body text.
In most cases, we recommend using a sans-serif font for body text and reserving serif fonts for headers or emphasis.
3. Display Fonts: Proceed with Caution
Display fonts (decorative or script-style fonts) can add personality, but they should be used sparingly in pitch decks. If your font choice distracts from your content, it’s the wrong choice.
A few display fonts that can work when used correctly:
Poppins – A versatile font that works well in bold headings.
Raleway – A sleek, elegant font that pairs well with sans-serifs.
Lora – A contemporary serif with a bit of character.
If you’re tempted to use a handwritten or ultra-stylized font—don’t. Investors don’t have time to decode fancy typography. Keep it clean.
4. Font Pairing: The Right Combinations for a Polished Look
A great pitch deck usually doesn’t use just one font. The best decks pair two complementary fonts—one for headings and another for body text. Here are some solid font pairings:
Montserrat + Open Sans – A modern, stylish combination.
Avenir + Roboto – Sleek and easy to read.
Playfair Display + Lato – A touch of elegance with solid readability.
Futura + Source Sans Pro – A tech-friendly, contemporary pairing.
If you’re unsure, stick with a single high-quality sans-serif font in different weights (bold for headings, regular for body text).
5. Font Size: Stop Making Text Too Small
Investors won’t squint at your slides. They don’t have time. Your text needs to be large enough to read at a glance. A good rule of thumb:
Headlines: 32–44 pt
Body text: 18–28 pt
Subheadings: 24–32 pt
If you find yourself shrinking text to fit more words, you have too much text. Simplify your message instead of forcing more content into a slide.
Best Colors for Pitch Decks
Now, let’s talk about color. Color psychology plays a major role in how people perceive your message. The right colors can build trust, create emotional impact, and make your deck more visually engaging.
1. Stick to a Minimal Color Palette
Too many colors can make a deck look chaotic. The best pitch decks use a limited color scheme—usually 2 to 4 main colors. A good approach:
One primary color (your brand’s main color)
One secondary color (a complement or contrast)
One or two accent colors (used sparingly for emphasis)
A simple, consistent color palette keeps your slides visually cohesive and professional.
2. The Psychology of Colors: What Works for a Pitch Deck?
Different colors trigger different emotions. Here’s how to use them effectively:
Blue: Trust, stability, professionalism (great for tech, finance, corporate decks)
Green: Growth, sustainability, wealth (best for startups, environmental, or health-related pitches)
Red: Energy, urgency, confidence (good for bold, high-energy brands)
Black & White: Sleek, premium, high contrast (works for luxury or minimalist decks)
Yellow: Optimism, creativity, innovation (use sparingly for emphasis)
Some mistakes to avoid:
Too much red – It can feel aggressive or alarming.
Bright neon colors – These are distracting and can make slides hard to read.
Overusing dark backgrounds – Black slides with white text can look sharp, but too many can be straining on the eyes.
3. Contrast is Key: Make Your Text Readable
Even if you choose great colors, they won’t work if there’s not enough contrast between text and background. Investors won’t struggle to read light gray text on a white background or yellow text on a bright blue slide.
Use high contrast combinations:
Dark text on a light background (best for most slides)
Light text on a dark background (use sparingly)
Avoid placing text over busy images or patterns
A quick test: If you have to squint to read your slide, it’s wrong.
4. Aligning Colors with Your Brand
Your deck should feel aligned with your brand identity. If your company already has a defined color palette, use it. If not, pick colors that reflect your industry and message.
Some general industry trends:
Tech startups: Blue, gray, white (clean and professional)
Sustainability brands: Green, earthy tones (organic and natural)
Finance & corporate: Navy, dark green, gold (trust and stability)
Creative industries: Bright accent colors (energy and innovation)
If your pitch deck is for investors, keep it professional but visually engaging. Avoid making it look like a casual social media post.
5. How to Use Color for Emphasis
Color isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a storytelling tool. Use it to:
Highlight key numbers (e.g., revenue growth, market size)
Draw attention to key takeaways
Separate sections visually
But remember: Less is more. If everything is colorful, nothing stands out.
How to Choose the Right Fonts and Colors for Your Pitch Deck
Choosing the right fonts and colors depends on your industry and audience. Different sectors have different expectations, and your design should align with them.
Tech & SaaS: Modern and minimal → Sans-serif fonts (Montserrat, Avenir), blue or gray tones.
Finance & Corporate: Trustworthy and professional → Serif fonts (Georgia), deep blue or dark green.
Creative & Media: Bold and expressive → Unique fonts (Poppins), vibrant accent colors.
Healthcare & Sustainability: Clean and calming → Sans-serif fonts (Lato), greens and soft blues.
A playful font won’t work for a corporate investor meeting, and a rigid, overly formal design might not suit a creative pitch. The goal is to balance professionalism with personality, ensuring your choices support your message, not distract from it.
Why Hire Us to Build your Presentation?
If you're reading this, you're probably working on a presentation right now. You could do it all yourself. But the reality is - that’s not going to give you the high-impact presentation you need. It’s a lot of guesswork, a lot of trial and error. And at the end of the day, you’ll be left with a presentation that’s “good enough,” not one that gets results. On the other hand, we’ve spent years crafting thousands of presentations, mastering both storytelling and design. Let us handle this for you, so you can focus on what you do best.