A font is a set of printable or displayable text character s in a specific style and size. The type design for a set of fonts is the typeface and variations of this design form the typeface family. Fonts are used in print, online, and in other media for displaying text.
There are three basic kinds of computer font file data formats:
TrueType fonts, which are vector-based fonts that can be scaled to any size without losing fidelity
OpenType fonts, which are also vector-based fonts but with additional file data that provides enhanced typographic features
PostScript Type 1 fonts, which are bitmapped fonts that are best used at specific sizes
There are also many specialized font formats, such as those used for handwriting recognition or for barcodes.
Fonts are an essential part of every typeface family. A typeface is a set of one or more fonts in a specific style, such as Helvetica Bold. A font family is a group of related typefaces that share common design features. For example, the Helvetica typeface family includes many different fonts, such as Helvetica Bold, Helvetica Condensed, Helvetica Inverse, Helvetica Narrow, and Helvetica Rounded.
When you buy a computer, it usually comes with a set of default fonts. But you can also buy fonts or download them for free from the Internet.
When you install a font on your computer, it becomes available for you to use in all your programs. To install a font, you typically double-click on the font file you downloaded, and then click on the “Install” button in the font installer program.
Once a font is installed on your computer, you can use it in any program that lets you choose fonts, such as word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation software. In most programs, you can choose any font you want for your text.
Fonts can also be used for decorative purposes. For example, you can use a fancy font to create a headline or title. Or you can use a small font to create a signature or initials.