How do I install a custom font on an HTML site

html

responsive-design

css

font-face

byNikita Barsukov·Oct 17, 2024

To **install a custom font** in HTML, perform these steps:

1. **Procure** your .ttf, .otf, .woff, or .woff2 font files.
2. **Add** these files to your server.
3. **Refer** to them in CSS using the `@font-face` rule.

**Example**:

```css
@font-face {
  font-family: 'YourCustomFont'; // Name it like your pet's nickname
  src: url('YourCustomFont.woff2') format('woff2'), url('YourCustomFont.woff') format('woff'); // paths to font files
}

body {
  font-family: 'YourCustomFont', Arial, sans-serif; // Always add a few backups
}

In code above, replace YourCustomFont.woff2/YourCustomFont.woff with your font file paths and YourCustomFont with the name you want to assign to your font.

Getting your font files ready

Firstly, get your house in order. Make sure your font files are available and optimized for the web. Ensure the legalities are sorted - that the font is license-free, or you own a license for web usage. .woff2 will be your best friend due to its better compression and extensive browser support. If it's unavailable, your wingman is .woff.

Multi-format for full coverage

Sure, it may feel like over-packing for a weekend getaway, but to ensure full browser coverage, you need different font formats:

@font-face {
  font-family: 'YourCustomFont'; // Always remember your font's name
  src: url('YourCustomFont.eot'); /* For that one friend still on IE9 */
  src: url('YourCustomFont.eot?#iefix') format('embedded-opentype'), /* IE6-IE8 - Yes, they still exist */
       url('YourCustomFont.woff2') format('woff2'), /* For your tech-savvy friends */
       url('YourCustomFont.woff') format('woff'), /* For the rest of the modern world */
       url('YourCustomFont.ttf') format('truetype'), /* For Grandma's iPad */
       url('YourCustomFont.svg#svgFontName') format('svg'); /* For your cousin with the 1st Gen iPhone */
}

This approach ensures your font displays correctly regardless of the browser your users are on.

Style sheet organization

Compile your @font-face rules in an external CSS file. Think of it as a master control room for all your fonts. It keeps your coding squeaky clean and makes maintenance incredibly easy.

Relative paths to glory

When specifying the src for @font-face, we use relative paths. Think of it as Google Maps for your code - it tells the browser where to find the font file from the current location and will adjust if you relocate your site.

Font-family fallback plan

Always choose a generic font family as a backup in your font-family. It's the safety net that catches your website if the star performer, your custom font, just won't load.

Accessible to all

While custom fonts are great to stand out, be careful they don't hinder readability. Remember, user experience trumps aesthetics, so always aim for accessible web styling.

Testing and validating

Time to play QA tester - Now that you've integrated your custom font, test it across different browsers and devices. Your goal is consistency.

Plan B for fonts

Fallback fonts aren't just decorative, they're functional. If your custom font decides to take a day off, the browser can pick an alternative.

body {
  font-family: 'CustomFont', Arial, sans-serif; // Arial and sans-serif step in if CustomFont is MIA
}

Keep up or lose out

The web is an ever-evolving beast. To stay in the game, regularly check in on trusted sources like CSS-Tricks and Smashing Magazine for their wisdom on font usage.