Compress Fonts to Reduce File Size

Why would I need to compress font files?

Font compression solves web performance and storage problems. Your website uses custom fonts totaling 2MB, slowing page loads. Your font library has 500 fonts taking 5GB of storage. Your mobile app exceeds size limits because of embedded fonts. Maybe you're distributing a font package that's too large for email, or you need to optimize web fonts for better Core Web Vitals scores and faster rendering.

Different scenarios need different compression levels. Web fonts benefit from aggressive compression (subsetting to used characters, removing hinting) since every KB affects page load time. Desktop font libraries can use moderate compression to save storage while preserving all glyphs. Icon fonts are perfect for heavy subsetting since you only need specific glyphs. Compressing fonts lets you improve website performance, reduce hosting bandwidth costs, meet platform upload limits, and save storage in large font collections.

How does font compression work?

Our compressor uses a simple, secure process:

Upload Your Font

Drag and drop your font file or click to browse. Your file is encrypted during upload using SSL. We support files up to 10MB (covers all font files including large CJK fonts).

Choose Compression Settings

Select quality preset (Fast, Normal, Maximum, Ultra) or customize subsetting, hinting, and table optimization settings. Our interface shows estimated file size reduction.

Server Processing

Your font is compressed on our servers using professional tools. Fast, efficient compression that preserves glyph quality while reducing file size.

Download & Cleanup

Download your compressed font. We automatically delete all files from our servers within 1 hour for your privacy. No files are stored permanently.

The entire process typically takes seconds. Your original font is never modified.

What compression settings should I use?

Choose compression settings based on your needs:

Fast (Low Quality)

Best for quick compression when file size is critical. Enables Unicode subsetting and removes hinting. Ideal for web fonts with limited character usage, bandwidth-limited distributions, or when storage space is extremely tight.

Normal (Medium Quality)

Balanced compression with good quality. Disables subsetting and keeps hinting, but optimizes font tables. Best for general use, library optimization, and standard web font distribution. Most users should start here.

Maximum (High Quality)

High quality with moderate compression. Preserves all glyphs and hinting, only optimizes tables. Ideal for desktop fonts, professional typography, or fonts where glyph quality and hinting are critical.

Ultra (Maximum Quality)

No quality loss, minimal compression. Preserves everything including unoptimized tables. Perfect when you need near-original quality but slightly reduced file size. Best for archival, master copies, or professional design work.

Custom Settings

Use Advanced Options to fine-tune compression. Control Unicode subsetting (remove unused characters), toggle hinting removal (affects screen rendering), adjust table optimization (affects file structure). Perfect for specific requirements like platform upload limits or character set needs.

Still not sure?

Start with Normal for most web fonts. Use Fast for web fonts with limited characters (Latin only). Use Maximum for desktop fonts where quality is critical. Use Ultra for professional design work or when near-original quality is required.

Quick guide by use case

Web fonts (English only): Fast with subsetting. Web fonts (multilingual): Normal. Desktop fonts: Maximum. Design/archival: Ultra. Icon fonts: Fast with heavy subsetting.

Remember: You can always re-compress with different settings if the first result isn't ideal. Test the compressed font in your target environment to ensure quality meets your needs.

What is font subsetting?

Font conversion quality depends on source and target formats: Lossless conversions - TTF ↔ OTF (both use similar structure), WOFF ↔ TTF/OTF (WOFF is compressed TTF/OTF), PFB ↔ PFA (same data, different encoding). Nearly lossless - TTF/OTF → WOFF2 (excellent compression, minimal data change). Some data loss - SVG fonts (limited feature support), Legacy format conversions (older formats have fewer features).

What's preserved: All glyph outlines (the actual shapes), Unicode character mappings, Basic font metrics (width, height, ascent, descent), Kerning pairs (letter spacing), Family and style information. What might change: Advanced OpenType features (in simpler formats), Hinting information (optimization for screen rendering), Metadata (some formats support less metadata).

Conversion recommendations: For maximum quality retention, convert between modern formats (TTF, OTF, WOFF, WOFF2). When converting to web fonts, quality loss is minimal - fonts will render identically in browsers. When converting from legacy formats, some advanced features may not transfer. Always test converted fonts before using in production projects.

How do I use converted fonts on my website?

To use converted fonts on websites, you need: (1) Convert your font to web formats (WOFF2 and WOFF for compatibility), (2) Upload fonts to your server, (3) Add @font-face CSS rule, (4) Apply font to elements. Example CSS: @font-face { font-family: 'MyFont'; src: url('myfont.woff2') format('woff2'), url('myfont.woff') format('woff'); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; }

Best practices for web fonts: Use WOFF2 primarily (better compression, faster loading), Include WOFF fallback for older browsers, Subset fonts to include only needed characters (reduces file size), Use font-display: swap for better perceived performance, Preload critical fonts (), Host fonts on same domain or use CDN, Compress font files during server delivery.

Performance tips: Modern web fonts are small (20-50KB for Western fonts). WOFF2 provides 30% better compression than WOFF. Subset fonts can reduce size by 80%+ for single-language sites. Use system font fallbacks while custom fonts load. Consider variable fonts for multiple weights/styles. Test font loading on slow connections. Monitor Core Web Vitals impact.

Can I convert Google Fonts or other commercial fonts?

Legal considerations for font conversion: Open Source Fonts - Fonts from Google Fonts, Adobe Fonts (some), Font Squirrel (free fonts) can be converted freely if license allows. Check individual font licenses. Commercial Fonts - Fonts you purchased with conversion rights can be converted for your use. Check your license agreement. Redistribution may be prohibited. Free Fonts - 'Free for personal use' fonts may not allow conversion or commercial use. Always read license.

Google Fonts specifically: Google Fonts are open source (SIL Open Font License or Apache License). You CAN convert Google Fonts for your own use. You CAN use converted Google Fonts on websites. You CAN modify and convert them. You CANNOT sell converted Google Fonts. Download from fonts.google.com first, then convert. Give proper attribution as required by license.

Safe practices: Only convert fonts you have rights to use and convert. Keep licenses with converted fonts. Don't redistribute converted commercial fonts. For clients' projects, ensure they have proper licenses. When in doubt, use open-source fonts (Google Fonts, Font Squirrel free fonts). Consider purchasing web font licenses for commercial projects. Respect font creators' rights and licensing terms.

What's the difference between TTF and OTF fonts?

TTF (TrueType Font) vs OTF (OpenType Font): TTF was developed by Apple and Microsoft in the 1980s. Uses quadratic Bézier curves for glyph outlines. Works on all platforms. Good for simple fonts and screen display. Widely supported in all software. File sizes typically larger than OTF. Better hinting for screen rendering at small sizes.

OTF is an extension of TTF developed by Adobe and Microsoft. Uses cubic Bézier curves (PostScript curves). Supports more advanced typography features (ligatures, alternates, contextual substitutions). Better for complex scripts and professional typography. Supports more glyphs (65,000+ vs 65,000 limit). Better for print and professional design work. Modern standard for professional fonts.

When to use each: Use TTF for - Simple web fonts, Maximum compatibility, Legacy system support, Fonts optimized for screen display. Use OTF for - Professional design work, Fonts with advanced features, Print production, Complex scripts (Arabic, Devanagari), Typography-heavy projects. Modern systems support both equally well. For web use, format matters less (both convert to WOFF/WOFF2). Choose based on font features needed.

How do I ensure converted fonts work across all browsers?

Browser font format support: WOFF2 - Supported by Chrome 36+, Firefox 39+, Safari 12+, Edge 14+ (95% global support). WOFF - Supported by IE 9+, all modern browsers (99% global support). TTF/OTF - Supported by all browsers but larger files. EOT - Only IE 6-11 (legacy only). SVG - Deprecated, avoid for new projects. Strategy: Provide WOFF2 + WOFF for complete coverage.

Cross-browser CSS example: @font-face { font-family: 'MyFont'; src: url('myfont.woff2') format('woff2'), /* Modern browsers */ url('myfont.woff') format('woff'); /* Fallback */ font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-display: swap; /* Better loading experience */ } This covers 99.9% of browsers. Skip EOT unless supporting IE 8.

Testing recommendations: Test on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (covers 95%+ users). Check font rendering on Windows and Mac (different rendering engines). Test on mobile devices (iOS Safari, Chrome Android). Use tools like BrowserStack for comprehensive testing. Verify fallback fonts load properly. Check font-display behavior. Monitor loading performance. Ensure no FOUT (Flash of Unstyled Text) or FOIT (Flash of Invisible Text).

Can I convert variable fonts?

Variable fonts are OpenType fonts with variable axes (weight, width, slant, optical size). They contain multiple styles in a single file. Convert variable fonts: From TTF/OTF variable to WOFF2 variable - Fully supported, maintains all axes. Between variable formats - Yes, all variable features preserved. To static fonts - Possible but loses variable functionality (creates single weight/style). From static to variable - Not possible (requires original design sources).

Variable font benefits: Single file contains multiple weights/styles (dramatically smaller total file size), Smooth interpolation between weights, Custom weight values (not limited to predefined weights), Better web performance (one request vs multiple), Responsive typography possibilities, Smaller bandwidth usage. Example: Roboto variable font (84KB) vs Roboto regular + bold + italic + bold italic (150KB+).

Using variable fonts: Convert to WOFF2 for best compression and browser support. Use CSS: font-variation-settings: 'wght' 450; for custom weights. Test browser support (supported by all modern browsers since 2018). Provide non-variable fallback for older browsers. Consider variable fonts for: Large font families, Responsive designs, Performance-critical sites, Modern web projects. Google Fonts offers many variable fonts free.

What are web font best practices?

Format and optimization: Use WOFF2 as primary format (30-50% smaller than WOFF). Include WOFF fallback for older browsers. Subset fonts to remove unused glyphs (reduces size by 50-80% for Western text). Remove unused language character sets. Use font-display: swap for better perceived performance. Preload critical fonts: .

Loading strategy: Load fonts asynchronously to avoid blocking page render. Use system font stack for initial render. Implement font-display: swap or optional. Limit number of font families (1-2 maximum). Limit number of weights (only needed weights). Self-host fonts for better control and performance. Consider variable fonts to reduce number of files. Cache fonts aggressively (1 year+).

Performance metrics: Aim for <100KB total font weight. Critical fonts should load in <1 second. Monitor Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) from font swapping. Use fallback fonts that match size metrics. Test on 3G connections. Optimize font loading order (critical fonts first). Consider using system fonts for body text, custom fonts for headings. Measure impact on Core Web Vitals. Good font strategy improves both performance and user experience.

How do I batch convert multiple fonts?

Our font converter supports batch conversion: Upload multiple font files at once, Select output format (applies to all files), Click convert, Download as ZIP archive containing all converted fonts. This saves time when: Converting entire font families, Preparing multiple fonts for web use, Batch processing client fonts, Converting legacy font collections, Setting up new design projects.

Batch conversion benefits: Process entire font families in one operation, Consistent output format across all fonts, Faster than individual conversions, Automatic ZIP packaging for easy download, Maintains original filenames, Perfect for professional workflows. Example: Upload a font family (Regular, Bold, Italic, Bold Italic), convert all to WOFF2 at once, download single ZIP with all converted files.

Batch workflow tips: Organize fonts before upload (name files clearly), Keep related fonts together (family members), Convert to same target format for consistency, Use batch conversion for web font preparation, Download ZIP and extract to project folder, Test all converted fonts together, Keep originals as backup. For very large batches (50+ fonts), consider converting in groups to ensure stability.

What happens to font licensing after conversion?

Font licensing and conversion: Original license ALWAYS applies to converted fonts. Converting format does NOT change licensing terms. If font license prohibits conversion, don't convert. If license prohibits web use, don't use on websites (even in web format). If license is personal-use-only, converted fonts remain personal-use-only. Always comply with original font license terms.

Common license types: SIL Open Font License (OFL) - Can convert, use, modify, redistribute (with attribution). Apache License - Similar to OFL, allows commercial use. Free for personal use - Typically allows conversion for personal projects only. Commercial license - Check terms; usually allows conversion for purchased use cases. Desktop license - May not include web use rights (need separate web license).

Safe practices: Read license before converting, Keep license files with converted fonts, Don't distribute converted commercial fonts without permission, Purchase appropriate licenses for commercial projects, Use open-source fonts (Google Fonts) when possible, Educate clients about font licensing, Respect font creators' intellectual property. When in doubt, contact font creator or use free/open fonts.

Can I convert fonts for mobile apps?

Font formats for mobile apps: iOS (iPhone/iPad) - Supports TTF, OTF (preferred). Include fonts in app bundle. Register in Info.plist. Android - Supports TTF, OTF. Place in assets/fonts folder. Load programmatically or via XML. Convert to TTF or OTF for maximum compatibility across platforms. Mobile apps don't use web fonts (WOFF/WOFF2).

Mobile font implementation: For iOS: Add font files to Xcode project, Add font names to Info.plist (UIAppFonts array), Use in code: UIFont(name: 'FontName', size: 16). For Android: Place fonts in assets/fonts/, Load in code: Typeface.createFromAsset(assets, 'fonts/fontname.ttf'), Use in XML with font family attribute. Both platforms: OTF provides more features, TTF has slightly better compatibility.

Mobile app font tips: Use OTF for better typography features, Subset fonts if possible (reduces app size), Test on multiple devices, Consider variable fonts for size savings (iOS 11+, Android 8+), Bundle only needed weights, Comply with font licenses (app distribution is redistribution), Test font rendering on different screen densities, Provide fallback fonts. Mobile font files add to app download size - optimize when possible.

What's the best font format for performance?

Font format performance comparison: WOFF2 - Best compression (30% smaller than WOFF, 50% smaller than TTF), Fast decompression, Supported by all modern browsers, Best choice for web. WOFF - Good compression (40% smaller than TTF), Universal browser support, Good fallback. TTF/OTF - No compression, Larger files, Slower loading, Use only for desktop. EOT - IE only, Legacy, Avoid.

Performance optimization strategies: Use WOFF2 exclusively for modern browsers (95%+ support), Subset fonts to remove unused characters (50-80% size reduction), Use variable fonts instead of multiple files (50-70% total size reduction), Implement font-display: swap for better perceived performance, Preload critical fonts to start loading immediately, Cache fonts aggressively (1 year), Use service workers to cache fonts locally.

Real-world examples: Google Fonts serves WOFF2 to modern browsers (optimal performance). Amazon subsets fonts heavily (only used glyphs). Apple uses variable fonts on recent sites (fewer HTTP requests). Medium preloads critical fonts (faster initial render). Best practice: Convert to WOFF2, subset for your language, measure impact, iterate. Typical optimized font: 15-30KB (vs 150-300KB unoptimized). Good font strategy significantly improves page load times and user experience.

How do I troubleshoot font conversion issues?

Common conversion problems and solutions: Font doesn't display after conversion - Check CSS @font-face syntax, verify file path, ensure CORS headers for cross-domain fonts, test in different browsers. Characters missing - Original font may not include those characters, try different source format, ensure Unicode support in both formats. File size too large - Use WOFF2 for better compression, subset font to remove unused glyphs, remove unnecessary font features.

Format-specific issues: WOFF2 not working - Check browser support (IE not supported), ensure proper format() in CSS, verify file isn't corrupted. EOT issues - EOT is IE-only, use conditional comments for IE, verify IE version support. SVG font problems - SVG fonts deprecated, convert to WOFF/WOFF2 instead, limited browser support. PostScript (PFB/PFA) issues - These are for print/desktop, not web, convert to OTF for desktop use.

Debugging checklist: Verify source font works before conversion, Check converted font with font viewer tool, Validate @font-face CSS syntax, Test in multiple browsers, Check browser developer tools for font loading errors, Verify correct MIME types on server (font/woff2, font/woff, font/ttf), Ensure CORS headers if loading from different domain, Try different conversion settings, Test with simpler font first, Check font file isn't corrupted. Most issues are CSS/server configuration, not conversion quality.