FontForge

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

What FontForge is

FontForge is a free, open-source font editor for Linux, macOS and Windows. It creates and modifies PostScript, TrueType and OpenType fonts, saves fonts in outline formats, and generates bitmaps. In the editor, users can draw letter outlines and manage glyph metrics, ligatures and related metadata. OpenType and Apple Advanced Typography tables are supported, including GPOS and GSUB features. Font, bitmap and metrics views provide ways to inspect and edit font components. FontForge includes Python and a legacy native scripting interpreter for modifying fonts, and Python-package plugins can add tools to the Font View or Char View menus. Its command line accepts PostScript, TrueType, OpenType, Mac resource, bitmap and SVG files. The source code is available under a libre license, and copies may be redistributed with or without a fee. The Mac installation requires OS X 10.15 or later; the Windows launcher may upset some antivirus and firewall applications. The listed plan is free.

Who it suits

FontForge suits type designers and other users who need to create or edit fonts, work with glyph metrics and layout tables, or modify fonts through scripts. It is available for Linux, macOS and Windows.

What it does well

Free plan with source code access and redistribution permitted
Creates and modifies PostScript, TrueType and OpenType fonts
Supports OpenType and Apple Advanced Typography tables
Includes Python scripting and Python-package plugins

What to know first

Mac installation requires OS X 10.15 or later
Windows launcher may upset some antivirus and firewall applications

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free and open source	source code access · redistribution permitted	Free

As fontforge.org lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the FontForge website and consult its documentation.
Choose a release for Windows, Mac, or GNU/Linux.
On Mac, use a system running OS X 10.15 or later.
Open a supported font file in the editor, or a supported font or graphics file in the command line.
Use the mailing list for questions after consulting the documentation and web search.

Verdict

FontForge brings drawing, font editing, scripting and layout-table support together in a free tool. Check the Mac system requirement or Windows launcher warning before installing.

Questions

Is FontForge free?

Yes. FontForge is free and open source. Its source is available under a libre license, and copies may be redistributed with or without a fee.

Which operating systems does it support?

Releases are available for Windows, Mac, and GNU+Linux. The Mac installation requires OS X 10.15 or later.

Which font formats can it edit?

It creates and modifies PostScript, TrueType, and OpenType fonts. The command line also accepts Mac resource, bitmap, and SVG files.

Does FontForge support OpenType layout features?

Yes. It supports OpenType and Apple Advanced Typography tables, including GPOS and GSUB features.

Can FontForge be scripted or extended?

Yes. It includes Python and a legacy native scripting interpreter. Python-package plugins can add tools to the Font View or Char View menus.

Where can users get help?

The homepage directs users to the mailing list for questions after consulting the documentation and web search.

Facts from FontForge's own pages

Availability: Releases are available for Windows, Mac and GNU+Linux, with developer builds also available. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
File support: The command line accepts formats including PostScript, TrueType, OpenType, Mac resource, bitmap and SVG files. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Font editing: The editor lets users draw letter outlines and manage glyph metrics, ligatures and related metadata. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Font formats: It creates and modifies PostScript, TrueType and OpenType fonts. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Mac requirement: The Mac installation page says OS X 10.15 or later is required. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Output: It saves fonts in many outline formats and generates bitmaps. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Plugins: Plugins are Python packages that extend FontForge, often by adding entries to the Font View or Char View Tools menu. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Purpose: FontForge is a free and open source font editor. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Scripting: FontForge includes Python and a legacy native scripting interpreter for modifying fonts. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Source and license: The project provides source code under a libre license and describes FontForge as libre software whose copies may be redistributed with or without a fee. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Support: The homepage directs users to the mailing list for questions after consulting the documentation and web search. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Typography: FontForge supports OpenType and Apple Advanced Typography tables, including GPOS and GSUB features. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Views: The documentation describes font, bitmap and metrics views for inspecting and editing fonts. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026
Windows warning: The Windows page says the launcher may upset some antivirus and firewall applications. · fontforge.org, 30 Sept 2026

Where FontForge stands on Freedom251

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