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Letterform Archive

DesignArtLiteratureClosed · Opens 11amFrom $103rd St & 20th St (Muni Metro T Third Street)

Letterform Archive is a nonprofit museum and special collections library in Dogpatch devoted to the history of lettering, typography, printing and graphic design. Founded by Rob Saunders in 2014, it holds more than 100,000 items, including Jan Tholenaar's type specimens, the Emigre foundry archive and rare Piet Zwart ephemera. Its fourth-floor galleries host rotating exhibitions and Reading Room pop-ups, while booked collections tours show original material up close.

What's On

Now
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

2325 Third Street, Floor 4R, San Francisco, CA 94107

Nearest station: 3rd St & 20th St (Muni Metro T Third Street), 22nd Street (Caltrain)

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Hours

MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
Thu13:00–20:00
FriToday11:00–18:00
Sat11:00–18:00
Sun11:00–18:00

Admission

From $10

Free for everyone on Thursdays. $5 students, seniors, educators and visitors with disabilities; free for children 12 and under and members; $1 Museums for All (EBT). Tickets online or at the door.

Accessibility

Step-free from street level via elevator to Floor 4R. Accessible gender-neutral restrooms. $5 admission for visitors with disabilities; carers enter free.

Nearby

Minnesota Street Project

ArtFree7 min walk

CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts

ArtFree15 min walk

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)

Art37 min walk

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

Design37 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Letterform Archive cost?
Standard adult admission to Letterform Archive is $10. Free for everyone on Thursdays. $5 students, seniors, educators and visitors with disabilities; free for children 12 and under and members; $1 Museums for All (EBT). Tickets online or at the door.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Letterform Archive?
Letterform Archive is open Gallery open Thu 13:00-20:00 (free admission), Fri 11:00-18:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-18:00 (closed 13:30-14:00). Closed Mon-Wed and on public holidays, including Thanksgiving (26 Nov 2026) and Christmas Day (25 Dec 2026). Piet Zwart: Brand Architect closed 6 Sep 2026 and no new main-gallery show has been announced yet; check the website before visiting. Enter under the glass awning at 2325 Third St and take the elevator to Floor 4R.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Letterform Archive?
Letterform Archive is located at 2325 Third Street, Floor 4R, San Francisco, CA 94107, in the Dogpatch area of San Francisco. The nearest stations are 3rd St & 20th St (Muni Metro T Third Street), 22nd Street (Caltrain).
What can I see at Letterform Archive?
Dogpatch archive of lettering, type and graphic design: 100,000+ items, rotating gallery shows and booked collection tours. Current highlights include Tone in Tongue, Jan Tholenaar Collection, Linotype Master Drawings.
Do I need to book Letterform Archive in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Letterform Archive?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Is Letterform Archive accessible?
Step-free from street level via elevator to Floor 4R. Accessible gender-neutral restrooms. $5 admission for visitors with disabilities; carers enter free.

Clyde Charles Brown / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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