We know that there are many different Font file formats, but do you know how do they differ and which one should you go for? Well, this post explains it all. Some of the very common formats include .TTF, .OTF, .SVG, .WOFF, .WOFF2, and, .EOT Let’s talk about all of them one by one.
Font file formats
1] TTF (True Type Font)
These are the basic font types created by Microsoft and Apple and thus come pre-installed with both Windows and iOS machines. They have a single binary file and are easy to manage. This is the most commonly used format for font files, and all major browsers support it. The only issue with this format is that the TTF fonts are not compressed, and the file size is pretty large compared to the other formats.
2] OTF (Open Type Font)
You can call it an improved version of TTF. Developed by Microsoft and Adobe, this format has an expanded set of characters and is supported on multiple platforms. Furthermore, it contains the printer and screen font data in a single component. You can use OTF on both Windows and Mac. OTF format has additional space and thus lets you store up to 65,000 characters. This feature is especially useful for designers.
Read: Free Fonts download, for logos and commercial use.
3] SVG Fonts
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a new version of OTF. It is also termed colored fonts and useful for designers who tend to use brush-inspired fonts. You can use multiple colors and transparencies while designing with SVG fonts. SVG is the only file format supported by the iPhone and iPad running Safari version 4.1 or below. SVG, however, is not great for body text and also lacks font hinting.
4] WOFF (Web Open Font Format)
WOFF is basically OTF or TTF with metadata and compression supported by all major browsers. It was created to live on the web. It results from collaboration by the Mozilla Foundation, Microsoft, and Opera Software. Because fonts are compressed, they load faster. Metadata allows for the inclusion of license data within the font file to address copyright issues. It is a World Wide Web Consortium Recommendation and is clearly the future of font formats.
Read: How to install Fonts in Windows.
5] WOFF2
Obviously, it’s the next version of WOFF, and it comes with improved compression. WOFF2 supports almost every popular web browser and is heavily used by web developers. It further supports the specifications of OTF and TTF, along with font collections and variable fonts.
6] EOT (Embedded OpenType File Format)
Developed by Microsoft, the EOT file format has a single EMBEDDEDFONT structure that includes all the basic details about the font’s name and the characters supported. Thus, you don’t need to decompress, install, or unpack the font if it is already installed in your system.
These were some of the most commonly used font file formats. Do let us know if you want us to add more to the list.
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