figlet

Generate by directly inputting text

$ figlet [input_text]

$ figlet -f [path/to/font_file.flf] [input_text]

$ figlet -f [font_filename] [input_text]

$ [command] | figlet

$ showfigfonts [optional_string_to_display]

$ figlet -t -c [input_text]

$ figlet -W [input_text]

figlet [options] [text]

-f fontfile
    Use specified font file

-d directory
    Search for fonts in directory

-D
    Print font directory path

-I infocode
    Display Figlet information (0-5)

-c
    Center output horizontally

-l
    Smush output left-to-right

-r
    Smush output right-to-left

-x
    Smush horizontally (kerning)

-w width
    Set maximum output width (default 80)

-H height
    Set maximum output height

-m smushvalue
    Set smush amount (0-95, default 0)

-C controlfile
    Use controlfile for layout/smushing

-e
    Enable full-width layout

-F
    Enable full-width smushing

-s
    Enable default smushing

-p
    Plain font layout (no smushing)

-t
    Read text from stdin

-v
    Print version and exit

-L
    List available fonts

-X
    List kerning pairs

-R
    List smush modes

-S
    List layout modes

Figlet is a command-line utility that converts regular text into an ASCII art representation using large, stylized letters composed of smaller characters. Ideal for creating eye-catching banners, titles, and headings in terminals, scripts, or log files.

It supports hundreds of fonts stored in simple text files, allowing customization of style from block letters to script-like or even 3D effects. Users specify text directly or pipe from stdin, with options to control layout, smushing (overlapping characters for compactness), centering, and page width.

Common use cases include decorating shell prompts, generating startup messages, or enhancing MOTD (Message of the Day) displays. Output is fixed-width, preserving monospace font alignment. Figlet handles kerning pairs for better spacing and supports layout modes like full-width or default smushing.

While powerful for retro aesthetics, it's limited to ASCII, lacking Unicode or color support natively (pair with tools like lolcat for colors). Fonts are community-contributed, available via packages like figlet-fonts.

Output assumes monospace font; may misalign in proportional fonts. Limited to ASCII characters. Large texts or custom fonts can exceed terminal width. No native Unicode or color support.

figlet "Hello World"
Produces large ASCII "HELLO WORLD" in standard font.

figlet -f slant "Linux"
Uses slant font for italic-like effect.

echo "Welcome" | figlet -c -w 60
Centers piped text within 60 columns.

Developed in 1991 by Frank, Ian, and Glen (FIGLET acronym). Ported to Unix in 1993 by John Conway. Maintained as open-source with contributions from Paul Burton and others. Version 2.2.5 released in 2009; widely packaged in Linux distros.

banner(1), toilet(1), boxes(1)