TTF file format: what it is and how to use it

TrueType is Apple's 1991 font format: quadratic outlines with the hinting that made screen text readable, still half the OpenType world. Learn when to use it and what to choose instead.

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What is a TTF file?

A .ttf file is a font in TrueType, Apple's 1991 answer to PostScript licensing: quadratic Bézier outlines plus a powerful hinting language designed to keep text readable on screens. It became half of OpenType (the other half being PostScript CFF), remains the most common font extension in the world, and is why system fonts on every OS render the way they do.

When should you use TTF?

  • System fonts: the default shape of fonts on Windows and Linux.
  • Screen rendering: TrueType's hinting language was built for low-DPI displays.
  • Maximum compatibility: every OS, tool and embedder reads .ttf.

When is another format a better fit?

For professional typography with PostScript outlines, OTF is the sibling standard. For the web, WOFF2 is the delivery wrapper: same font, much smaller. For collections, TTC deduplicates shared tables.

The short version: TTF is the world's default font file. Install it anywhere, and convert to WOFF2 when it goes on the web.

How to open a TTF file

On Windows

Double-click the file, or open it with Windows Font Viewer.

On macOS

macOS Font Book opens TTF files on macOS.

In your browser

Open TTF files right in a browser tab or with the dexrr viewer. No install, no upload.

Also opens in

  • Windows Font Viewer
  • macOS Font Book
  • FontForge
  • Glyphs

View or convert TTF files

A quick preview or a new format. No install, no upload.

View TTF files Preview and inspect TTF files Convert to TTF Turn files into TTF TTF to OTF OpenType font TTF to WOFF Web Open Font Format TTF to WOFF2 Web Open Font Format 2

TTF technical details

Full name
TrueType font
Extensions
.ttf
MIME type
font/ttf
Magic bytes
00 01 00 00
Compression
None (uncompressed)
Developer
Apple / Microsoft
Specification
learn.microsoft.com

TTF questions, answered

How do I open a .ttf file?

Double-click to preview and install on any OS; FontForge, Glyphs and font editors modify it. dexrr displays and converts ttf files directly in your browser.

Can I convert TTF files online?

Yes, dexrr converts ttf locally in your browser: TTF to WOFF2 or TTF to WOFF for the web, TTF to OTF for PostScript outlines.

Is TTF better than OTF?

For screen hinting and compatibility, TTF has the edge; for professional typography features, OTF. Both are OpenType, and the difference is the outline technology inside.

What is the difference between TTF and WOFF2?

WOFF2 wraps the same font for the web, compressed ~30% smaller for @font-face. TTF is the desktop install form.

Is the TTF format outdated?

No, it is one of the two halves of OpenType and still the default font extension on most systems.