Understanding Font File Types: OTF, TTF, WOFF and More

When uploading or embedding custom fonts on your website, you may come across different file formats such as OTF, TTF or WOFF. This article explains the differences between the most common font types, when to use them and which are best suited for web use.

On your ShowOff website, we support:

• Adobe Fonts

• Google Fonts

• Custom fonts

For custom font installation, we require the .woff files along with confirmation of the appropriate web licensing to ensure permission has been granted for online use.

Why Do Font File Types Matter?

Different font formats are designed for different purposes. Some are intended for desktop and print use, while others are specifically optimised for websites.

Using the correct format helps ensure:

• Faster website load times

• Better browser compatibility

• Improved performance

• Consistent rendering across devices

TTF (TrueType Font)

File extension: .ttf

TrueType is one of the oldest and most widely supported font formats. It was developed by Apple and Microsoft and is commonly used for desktop applications.

Key features:

• Widely compatible across operating systems

• Easy to install on Windows and macOS

• Suitable for print and desktop design software

Considerations:

• Not optimised for web performance

• Larger file sizes compared to web-specific formats

Best suited for desktop installation and print design.

OTF (OpenType Font)

File extension: .otf

OpenType is an enhanced version of TrueType and supports advanced typographic features. It is commonly used in professional branding and design work.

Key features:

• Supports advanced typography such as ligatures and alternate characters

• Cross-platform compatible

• High-quality rendering

Considerations:

• Slightly larger file sizes

• Not specifically optimised for web delivery

Best suited for professional design and branding work.

WOFF (Web Open Font Format)

File extension: .woff

WOFF was created specifically for websites. It compresses font data to reduce file size and improve load speed.

Key features:

• Designed for web use

• Compressed for faster loading

• Supported by all modern browsers

Best suited for website font uploads.

WOFF2

File extension: .woff2

WOFF2 is an improved version of WOFF with even better compression.

Key features:

• Smaller file size than WOFF

• Faster loading times

• Supported by all modern browsers

Best suited for modern websites where performance is a priority.

EOT (Embedded OpenType)

File extension: .eot

EOT was developed by Microsoft for older versions of Internet Explorer.

Considerations:

• Rarely required today

• Only relevant for legacy browser support

SVG Fonts

File extension: .svg

SVG fonts were used by early mobile browsers but are now deprecated and not recommended for modern web use.

Fonts on Your ShowOff Website

On the ShowOff platform, you can use:

Adobe Fonts

These are typically embedded via your Adobe account and do not require manual file uploads.

Google Fonts

These are integrated via Google’s hosted library and are optimised for web use.

Custom Fonts

If you wish to use a custom font, we require:

• The .woff file format

• Confirmation of the appropriate web licensing

Providing the correct licensing ensures that you and ASP have permission to use the font online. Desktop licences for OTF or TTF files are not always valid for web usage.

If you only have OTF or TTF files, please contact your font provider to request web-ready WOFF files and confirm your licence includes web usage rights.

Summary Comparison

Important Notes

• Always confirm you hold the correct licence for web usage.

• Using desktop font files on a website without web licensing may breach your agreement with the font provider.

• Limit the number of font weights and styles to maintain strong website performance.

If you are unsure which format or licence you have, please contact your Account Manager or Support Team for guidance.