setfont

Load console screen fonts for Linux TTYs

TLDR

Change the terminal font

$ setfont [font].gz

Change font by specifying a full path

$ setfont /usr/share/kbd/consolefonts/[font.psf.gz]

Double the font size

$ setfont -d

Reset to the default font

$ setfont

Save the current font before changing

$ setfont -o [saved_font] [new_font]

Set font for a specific console

$ setfont -C /dev/tty2 [font]

SYNOPSIS

setfont [OPTIONS] [font.new...] [-m cmap] [-u umap] [-C console]

setfont loads console screen fonts into the EGA/VGA character generator for Linux virtual terminals (TTYs). It can load PSF (PC Screen Font) files and optionally associate Unicode mapping tables for proper character display.Fonts are typically stored in /usr/share/kbd/consolefonts/ and come in various sizes (8x8, 8x14, 8x16). The command operates on the current console by default but can target specific TTYs with -C. When called without arguments, it loads a default 8x8 font.

PARAMETERS

-d, --double

Double the font size for high-density displays.

-h N, --font-height N

Override font height (useful for partial fonts).

-N, --default8x=N

Load the built-in default font of width N (8xN).

-o file, --output-font=file

Save the previous font to file before loading the new one.

-O file, --output-fullfont=file

Save the previous font together with its Unicode map to file.

-om file, --output-consolemap=file

Save the current console mapping table to file.

-ou file, --output-unicodemap=file

Save the current Unicode mapping table to file.

-m file, --consolemap=file

Load console map or Unicode console map from file.

-u file, --unicodemap=file

Load the Unicode mapping table that describes the font.

-C device, --console=device

Set the font on the specified console device.

-f, --force

Force-load the Unicode map even if it is empty.

-R, --reset

Restore the console font, size, and Unicode mapping to boot-up defaults.

-v, --verbose

Enable verbose output.

-V, --version

Print version and exit.

CAVEATS

Only works on Linux virtual consoles (TTYs), not in terminal emulators like xterm or GNOME Terminal. Requires appropriate permissions (typically root) to modify console settings. Font changes do not persist across reboots; configure in /etc/vconsole.conf for systemd systems or appropriate init scripts.

HISTORY

setfont is part of the kbd (keyboard and console utilities) package, which has been a standard Linux component since the early 1990s. The PSF font format was developed specifically for Linux console fonts. The command evolved from earlier utilities like loadfont and integrates Unicode support added in Linux 2.0 era.