Free Fonts – Tips for Downloads

In order to add new fonts, you will have to download it to your computer. Once downloaded, you will then have to install. If you have installed it correctly, it will become available to you in the various software packages you have on your computer.

Most fonts and dingbats available are True Type Fonts (TTFs). The True Type font is the most common font format used by both Mac OS X and Windows platforms. However the process to download them and be able to use them is different. The following is provided as guidance in hopes it will help you with any arising issues you encounter. If these examples are not helpful we suggest typing your question into a Google search; Google knows everything!

FOR PC:

Unzip the files you have downloaded.

Details: Click on the “Download” button, save the zip somewhere on your hard disk, go to the place where it is saved, double-click on the zip to open it, then either click on “Extraxt all files” or drag and drop the files elsewhere from the zip window (hold down the CTRL key to select several files at once)
For the 20th century versions of Windows you must install an unzip tool first.

Under Windows Vista:
Select the font files (.ttf, .otf or .fon) then Right-click > Install

Under any version of Windows:
Place the font files (.ttf, .otf or .fon) into the Fonts folder, usually C:\Windows\Fonts or C:\WINNT\Fonts
(can be reached as well by the Start Menu > Control Panel > Appearance and Themes > Fonts).

Note that with the internal unzip tool of Windows (unlike Winzip), you cannot install a font by a simple drag and drop of the .ttf from the zip window to the Fonts window. You must first drag and drop it anywhere (for example on the desktop) then into the Fonts folder.
You can also go through: File > Install a new font… in the Fonts folder menu then browse the fonts, instead of drag and drop the fonts into the window. Although this method is laborious, it would seem that it functions better in some cases.

There are some videos on YouTube if that helps.

Tip: If you need a font immediately, you don’t need to install it. Just double-click on the .ttf file, and while the preview window is opened you can use it in most of the programs you’ll launch (one exception being OpenOffice).

FOR MAC:

Mac OS X recognizes TrueType and OpenType fonts (.ttf and .otf) but not the PC bitmap fonts (.fon).
Files are compressed, you may need an utility like Stuffit Expander.

Under Mac OS X 10.3 or above (including the FontBook):
Double-click the font file > “Install font” button at the bottom of the preview.

Under any version of Mac OS X:
Put the files into /Library/Fonts (for all users),
or into /Users/Your_username/Library/Fonts (for you only).

Under Mac OS 9 or earlier:
The old Mac fonts are not typically supported anymore. You must convert the font files (.ttf or .otf) you have downloaded.
Then drag the fonts suitcases into the System folder. The system will prompt you to add them to the Fonts folder.

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