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Four Font Formats Used for Websites

Fonts play a significant role in enhancing the visual appeal and readability of websites. In today's digital world, various font formats are used to cater to different design needs and ensure cross-browser compatibility. In this post, we will discuss four commonly used font formats for websites: TrueType Font (TTF), OpenType Font (OTF), WOFF, and WOFF2.

1. TrueType Font (TTF)

TrueType Font is an open-standard vector font developed by Apple and Microsoft in the late 80s. TTF files contain design data, metrics, and instructions for rendering glyphs at various sizes and weights. TTF supports multiple master functions, which enable creating fonts with varying widths, weights, and other characteristics. Due to its broad support across various platforms, TTF is widely used on the web.

2. OpenType Font (OTF)

OpenType Font, like TrueType Font, is an advanced vector font format developed as a successor to TTF. OTF offers improved typographic control and compatibility with various writing systems. The main advantages of OTF include support for advanced typography, glyph substitution, and contextual alternates. However, it may not be as widely supported as TTF across different browsers.

3. Web Open Font Format (WOFF)

Web Open Font Format, or WOFF, is a font format specifically designed for the web. WOFF files are compressed using a lossless technique called gzip to reduce file size and improve page loading times. The primary advantage of WOFF is its smaller file size compared to TTF or OTF. WOFF supports various features such as OpenType layouts, advanced typography, and glyph positioning.

4. Web Open Font Format 2 (WOFF2)

Web Open Font Format 2, or WOFF2, is the successor of WOFF, offering even better compression capabilities and improved font rendering. WOFF2 uses a combination of lossless and lossy compression techniques to achieve smaller file sizes while maintaining the highest possible quality. WOFF2 also includes support for multiple master functionality, which was initially absent in WOFF.

In conclusion, understanding the differences between TrueType Font (TTF), OpenType Font (OTF), Web Open Font Format (WOFF), and Web Open Font Format 2 (WOFF2) can help you make informed decisions when choosing fonts for your website. By considering factors such as file size, cross-browser compatibility, and typographic control, you can create visually appealing and accessible web experiences for your users.

Published July, 2018