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FontForge
What it is
FontForge is a free font editor for creating and modifying PostScript, TrueType, and OpenType fonts. It lets users draw letter outlines and edit glyph metrics, ligatures, and other font metadata. Font, bitmap, and metrics views support inspection and editing, while output options include outline formats and generated bitmaps. FontForge supports OpenType and Apple Advanced Typography tables, including GPOS and GSUB features. Users can also modify fonts with Python or its legacy native scripting interpreter; Python-package plugins can add tools to the Font View or Char View menus. Its command line accepts formats including PostScript, TrueType, OpenType, Mac resource, bitmap, and SVG files. The source is available under a libre license, and redistribution is permitted with or without a fee. FontForge is available for Windows, macOS, and GNU/Linux. The Mac installation requires OS X 10.15 or later, and the Windows launcher may cause issues with some antivirus and firewall applications.
For and against
For
- Edits PostScript, TrueType, and OpenType fonts
- Includes font, bitmap, and metrics views
- Supports OpenType and Apple layout tables
- Python scripting and plugins are available
- Source code and redistribution are permitted
Against
- Mac installation requires OS X 10.15 or later
- Windows launcher may upset antivirus or firewall applications
The verdict
FontForge offers detailed font editing, multiple views, and scripting tools at no charge. Check the Mac requirement or possible Windows security-app conflicts before installing.
Who it suits
FontForge suits type designers and other users who need to create or edit fonts across Windows, macOS, or GNU/Linux. Its scripting and plugin options may also suit users who want to extend or automate font editing.
Plans and prices
Free and open source
source code access · redistribution permitted
Read 30 Sep 2026 · fontforge.org
On the record
- Availability
- Releases are available for Windows, Mac and GNU+Linux, with developer builds also available.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- File support
- The command line accepts formats including PostScript, TrueType, OpenType, Mac resource, bitmap and SVG files.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Font editing
- The editor lets users draw letter outlines and manage glyph metrics, ligatures and related metadata.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Font formats
- It creates and modifies PostScript, TrueType and OpenType fonts.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Mac requirement
- The Mac installation page says OS X 10.15 or later is required.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Output
- It saves fonts in many outline formats and generates bitmaps.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Plugins
- Plugins are Python packages that extend FontForge, often by adding entries to the Font View or Char View Tools menu.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- FontForge is a free and open source font editor.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Scripting
- FontForge includes Python and a legacy native scripting interpreter for modifying fonts.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Source and license
- The project provides source code under a libre license and describes FontForge as libre software whose copies may be redistributed with or without a fee.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The homepage directs users to the mailing list for questions after consulting the documentation and web search.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Typography
- FontForge supports OpenType and Apple Advanced Typography tables, including GPOS and GSUB features.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Views
- The documentation describes font, bitmap and metrics views for inspecting and editing fonts.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Windows warning
- The Windows page says the launcher may upset some antivirus and firewall applications.fontforge.org · read 30 Sep 2026
