TTF and other formats free fonts for download and install

Thousands of free fonts at FontMagic

Free fonts at FontMagic are available as compressed zip files which you can open using standard and popular unzipping programs such as WinZip or WinRAR. In fact, if you are working on Windows XP, the built-in compressing (and uncompressing) utility of the operating system would server you just fine. Though most fonts are in the true type font (TTF) format, some of the zip files would have other formats such as those for Macintosh systems. Additionally, these zip files might also contain an instructions file. This file comes from the author/creator of the font and has details such as contact information, distribution and application rights and, at times, suggestions on usage.

List of thousands of TTF fonts - Are they all free for download?

Yes, all fonts at FontMagic are available for free download. Some authors might have placed restrictions on usage, for example, free for personal but shareware for commercial, details of which you will find in the instructions file that comes in the zip.
For free TTF fonts from Microsoft, visit www.microsoft.com/truetype/fontpack/win.htm.

How do I download the fonts?

To download fonts, you need to view their listing alphabetical or categorywise. Each page displays a maximum of 20 fonts as colorful images and you can click on the image, the font name or the download link. Depending on your browser, a window will pop-up asking you to open or save the file; I suggest the latter. Once you receive the zip file, open it using a uncompression utility.

What's the difference between free fonts and shareware fonts?

Free fonts, can be distributed and used without any compensation (monetary) to the creator - God bless them! However, note that some free fonts are gratis only for personal use. Shareware fonts on the other hand require a little payment to the creator, the details of which can be typically found in the instructions file that comes in the zip.

How do I install free fonts that I download from your web site?

All available free fonts on FontMagic are in TTF, sometimes other format are included too, and comes as compressed zip files The TTF format is for Windows and thus, the instructions below are geared to that operating system. Before we install the .ttf files, we need to extract them from the compressed zip file. The best way to accomplish this is through an uncompression program such as WinZip or WinRAR. A free uncompression utility is also provided on Windows XP.

To unzip the free fonts zip file, double-click on it, which will start the default uncompression program on your computer. If you do not have WinZip or WinRAR and you are working on Windows XP, a new window should pop-up displaying the contents of the zip file. You can now specify the directory to which you want to extract the files to. I suggest you create a temporary directory to store the fonts for the time being. The zip file would contain the actual font in .ttf and may also include a help file, an instructions file, images etc. These additional files are from the creator and are not required for the fonts installation process.

However, if there is indeed an instructions file (it would be called "Readme", "Instructions", or something similar), it would be a good idea to go through its contents. In addition to font creator's general comments and contact details, this file might also carry instructions on the usage of the typeface. Not all fonts are free for commercial purposes. If its shareware, make sure that you send the appropriate compensation to the creator if you use the font in any sort of commercial application. This is very important and logical - if you are making money and want to sleep with a clean conscience, you need to share it with the developer.

Now open the Control Panel, double-click the Fonts icon, click on File - Install new Font, browse to the temporary directory, select the typefaces and click on the OK button. The typefaces would now be installed on your computer.

Where can I use the free fonts I download from FontMagic?

Free fonts can be used to dress up graphics and images of your web site, in Flash movie files, in documents and presentations, downloadable PDF or print brochures. There are so many things you can do with these fonts; the list is endless.

If you plan to employ the fonts on web sites, I suggest you make them as graphics because not all visitors will have the typeface you want to display. Once the font is an image, the display would be the same for everyone.

Why do you have fonts as colorful images?

Well, that's a long story. In short, I fell in love with fonts. And I believe those colorful images make the site more interesting. So enjoy your trip to FontMagic and have good fun downloading.