NHS logotypes are supplied free of charge to NHS organisations and can be ordered using our online form. However, in some cases designers may need to create NHS logotypes themselves.

If you are a designer and need to create an NHS logotype, you should follow the guidance and specifications set out here.

Please note: all ‘X’ measurements on this page are based on the height of the NHS logo, where X = 8.5mm. This is the standard logo size for NHS A4 letterheads.

You should also pay attention to the kerning of characters in the logotype name: make sure they are spaced clearly and evenly.

The essential elements

An NHS logotype is made up of three main components. These are:

• the NHS logo;
• the organisation’s name;
• the organisation’s descriptor.

National organisations, strategic health authorities and new-style primary care trusts

National organisations, strategic health authorities and new-style primary care trusts within the NHS have namestyles that appear below the NHS logo. They may occasionally also have a regional descriptor which appears below the namestyle.

 

Organisation name

• Typeface: Frutiger Bold Italic
• Colour: black
• Size: 20 point type
• Leading: 24 point
• Position: aligned right, in line with the right-hand edge of the NHS logo

 

Regional descriptor

• Typeface: Frutiger Roman
• Colour: black
• Size: 9 point type
• Position: aligned right, in line with the right-hand edge of the NHS logo

National organisation, SHA and new PCT NHS logotype style

Local organisations

Local organisations include old-style primary care trusts, acute trusts, NHS foundation trusts, children’s trusts, care trusts, mental health trusts and ambulance trusts.

For these organisations, the NHS logo should sit to the right of the organisation’s name. The NHS logo should not be read as part of the organisation’s name.

 

Organisation name

• Typeface: Frutiger Roman
• Colour: black
• Size: 20 point type
• Leading: 24 point
• Position: aligned right, in line with the organisation descriptor line

 

Organisation descriptor

• Typeface: Frutiger Roman
• Colour: NHS Blue (Pantone® 300)
• Size: 12 point type
• Position: aligned right, in line with organisation name
  

Local organisation and old PCT NHS logotype style

Non-statutory organisations

For non-statutory organisations, names should be positioned outside the exclusion zones of the NHS logo or local NHS logotype. The point sizes given here are recommendations only.

 

Organisation name

• Typeface: Frutiger Bold
• Colour: NHS Blue (Pantone® 300) or black

 

On A2

• Organisation name size: 24 point type
• Leading: 27 point

 

On A3

• Organisation name size: 17 point type
• Leading: 20 point

 

On A4 and 210 x 210 mm

•  Organisation name size: 12 point type
• Leading: 15 point

 

On A5 and A4

•  Organisation name size: 8 point type
• Leading: 11 point

 

On A6

• Organisation name size: 6 point type
• Leading: 9 point

Last updated: 07/06/10