Sans Normal Nalab 5 is a very bold, wide, low contrast, upright, tall x-height font visually similar to 'Sole Sans' by CAST, 'Commuters Sans' by Dharma Type, 'Decimal' by Hoefler & Co., 'Radiate Sans' by Studio Sun, and 'Mamut' by Totem (names referenced only for comparison).
Keywords: headlines, posters, branding, packaging, logotypes, playful, friendly, chunky, punchy, retro, impact, approachability, display legibility, bold branding, rounded, soft corners, bulky, compact counters, geometric.
A heavy, rounded sans with bulky strokes and smooth, simplified curves. The letterforms are broad and compact, with short terminals and softly squared corners that keep shapes sturdy rather than sharp. Counters are relatively tight—especially in forms like a, e, s, and 8—creating a dense, poster-like color. The lowercase shows a single-storey a and g and a tall, prominent x-height, while capitals stay blocky and stable with minimal modulation. Numerals follow the same thick, rounded construction, with wide, weighty figures and small internal openings.
Best suited to display settings such as headlines, posters, packaging, and bold brand expressions where its thick, rounded silhouettes can work at large sizes. It can also fit logo work and short callouts where a friendly, high-impact voice is needed.
The overall tone is friendly and energetic, with a toy-like solidity that reads as approachable rather than formal. Its chunky rhythm and rounded geometry give it a retro advertising feel, suited to loud, optimistic messaging and attention-grabbing headlines.
The design appears intended to deliver maximum impact with approachable, rounded forms—prioritizing strong silhouettes, compact counters, and a stable, geometric rhythm for attention-driven display typography.
Large sizes emphasize its smooth geometry and compact interior spaces; in longer text the dense counters and heavy color can make spacing and word shapes feel tight, so it benefits from generous tracking and line spacing. The design leans on simple, bold silhouettes over fine detail, maintaining consistent weight and a cohesive, sturdy texture across letters and numerals.