Convert CFF Font Free

How to Convert Files

Convert CFF fonts to and from common font formats in your browser, with all processing done locally on your device.

What CFF is

CFF, the Compact Font Format, is a compact way of storing PostScript outline fonts. It is best known as the format that lives inside the CFF table of an OpenType font, holding the glyph outlines when those outlines are cubic PostScript curves rather than TrueType quadratic ones.

Developed by Adobe as a more efficient successor to the older Type 1 font format, CFF stores the same PostScript-style outlines but in a smaller, self-contained structure. An OpenType font with PostScript outlines carries them in a CFF table, which is why CFF is central to that flavour of OpenType, sometimes called OpenType CFF or OTF.

Strengths and limits

CFF is compact and expresses smooth cubic Bezier outlines, the kind favoured in professional type design, and its integration into OpenType gives it wide, modern support through that container.

As a raw format outside OpenType it is less commonly handled directly, and it competes with the TrueType outline flavour within OpenType, so the two coexist. For distribution, the OpenType or web font wrappers are what most systems expect rather than a bare CFF.

CFF Development History

CFF was developed by Adobe in the early 1990s as part of their efforts to enhance font technologies for digital typesetting. The format was created to address the limitations of existing font formats by providing a more efficient way to store and render PostScript outlines. This was particularly important as the demand for high-quality typography grew in digital media.

Over time, CFF gained traction as it was integrated into the OpenType specification in the late 1990s. This integration allowed CFF to leverage the wide adoption of OpenType across various platforms and applications. Tools for creating and manipulating CFF fonts have evolved, with support from various font editors and libraries, ensuring that CFF remains relevant in modern typography workflows.

Using CFF Effectively

Choose CFF when high-quality cubic Bezier outlines are required, especially for professional typography. It is particularly suitable for projects that demand precise control over glyph shapes and smooth rendering. CFF is often preferred in environments where OpenType is supported, such as web and print design, due to its compact nature and compatibility with modern software.

Be aware of compatibility issues when converting between CFF and other formats like TrueType. Tools may vary in their support for CFF features, so testing is essential. When converting to CFF, ensure that all glyph outlines are properly defined in cubic Bezier format to avoid rendering issues. Familiarize yourself with font editing software that provides robust support for CFF to streamline your workflow.

Working with CFF fonts

You will meet CFF as the outline data inside OpenType PostScript-flavoured fonts, and occasionally as a standalone file in type-design workflows.

To use a font broadly, package the CFF outlines into an OpenType (OTF) file, or into WOFF2 for the web. Font-editing tools such as FontForge read and write CFF as part of building modern fonts.