Chenla

display · Designed by Danh Hong

Chenla: The five boxing wizards jump quickly

Available weights

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What do I do with this?

Just want to use the font? Click "Get this font on Google Fonts" to download it or add it directly to a document, design tool (like Canva or Photoshop), or your computer's font list.

Building a website? Click "Copy Font Code" to copy a short snippet, then paste it into your website's HTML (usually inside the <head> section) to use this font on your site.

Chenla is a display typeface designed for the Khmer script, featuring traditional letterforms with a structured, upright character. The glyphs carry a cultural authenticity rooted in Cambodian typography, with balanced stroke weights and clear, deliberate construction. It reads as formal and purposeful rather than decorative or playful, making it feel grounded and respectful of its heritage. The overall personality is dignified and traditional, suited for contexts where cultural identity and legibility at larger sizes are both priorities.

Given its Khmer script base and display classification, Chenla works well for cultural institution websites or apps serving Cambodian or Southeast Asian audiences, where maintaining typographic heritage matters. It is a practical choice for editorial headings in multilingual publications that include Khmer content alongside Latin scripts. It also fits branding for organizations, NGOs, or government projects operating in Cambodia, where the typeface signals cultural awareness and local relevance rather than a generic international aesthetic.

Best suited for: Chenla suits cultural institution branding, Khmer-language editorial headings, and multilingual publications where display-scale typography needs to honor Southeast Asian typographic traditions.

Design considerations: As a display typeface with a single regular weight, Chenla works best at larger sizes where its structured letterforms and cultural specificity become assets rather than constraints. The formal, dignified character makes it less flexible for casual or contemporary contexts, but well-suited to institutional and heritage-focused applications.

Pairing guidance: Pair Chenla with Noto Serif or Noto Sans for body text and supporting content in multilingual layouts, as both offer extensive weight ranges and script coverage to complement Chenla's display role. Kdam Thmor Pro can serve as an alternative display or secondary heading option when a second Khmer-script typeface is needed for typographic hierarchy.

Pairs well with

Noto Serif Noto Sans Kdam Thmor Pro

Chenla at a glance

Designer

Danh Hong

License

SIL Open Font License 1.1

Added to Google Fonts

March 2011

Last updated

September 2022

Styles

1 (1 weight)

Classification

Display

Character sets

1

Distributed via

Google Fonts

Chenla styles

Weight Name Upright
400 Regular

Which languages does Chenla support?

Chenla includes one character set:

  • Khmer: Khmer (Cambodian)

Can I use Chenla commercially?

Yes, it's free for personal and commercial use. Chenla is released under the SIL Open Font License 1.1. You can use it in logos, websites, apps, videos, printed products and merchandise without paying or asking permission. The one thing you can't do is sell the font file on its own.

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Chenla FAQ

Is Chenla free for commercial use?

Yes. Chenla is licensed under the SIL Open Font License 1.1, so you can use it in commercial projects, including logos, client work and products you sell.

Which weights does Chenla include?

Chenla comes in a single weight, Regular (400), with no italic style.

Which languages does Chenla support?

Chenla supports Khmer.

Who designed Chenla?

Chenla was designed by Danh Hong. It was added to Google Fonts in March 2011.