fontforge

comprehensive font editor for creating and modifying fonts

TLDR

Open FontForge GUI

$ fontforge

Open font file

$ fontforge [font.ttf]

Convert font format

$ fontforge -c 'Open($1); Generate($2)' [input.otf] [output.ttf]

Run script

$ fontforge -script [convert.pe]

Export to web fonts

$ fontforge -c 'Open($1); Generate($2)' [font.ttf] [font.woff2]

fontforge is a comprehensive font editor supporting OpenType, TrueType, and many other formats. It provides tools for creating, editing, and converting fonts.The application offers glyph editing, metrics adjustment, kerning, hinting, and OpenType feature development. Scripting support enables batch operations and automated font processing.FontForge handles professional font development workflows from initial design to production-ready output.

PARAMETERS

FILES

Font files to open.

-c SCRIPT

Execute script command.

-script FILE

Run script file.

-lang LANGUAGE

Scripting language (ff, py).

-nosplash

Start without splash screen.

--help

Display help information.

INSTALL

sudo apt install fontforge

sudo dnf install fontforge

sudo pacman -S fontforge

sudo apk add fontforge

sudo zypper install fontforge

brew install fontforge

nix profile install nixpkgs#fontforge

CAVEATS

Steep learning curve for font design. GUI can be complex. Some formats have limited support.

HISTORY

FontForge (originally PfaEdit) was created by George Williams starting in 2000. It's the most capable open source font editor, used by type designers and font developers worldwide.