TTF vs OTF vs WOFF2: Which Font Format Should You Use?

Fonts come in several file formats, and the right one depends on where the font will be used. Here's the short version.

TTF (TrueType Font)

The classic, universally supported desktop format. Great for installing on your computer and using in design apps. Works everywhere, but the files aren't compressed for the web.

OTF (OpenType Font)

A more modern format that can include advanced typographic features — ligatures, alternates, small caps, and support for very large character sets. For desktop use, prefer OTF when the font offers these features.

WOFF2 (Web Open Font Format 2)

The format built specifically for the web. It's essentially TTF/OTF data wrapped in Brotli compression, making files roughly 30% smaller than WOFF and far smaller than raw TTF. Every modern browser supports it.

Which to use

• Installing on your computer: TTF or OTF.
• On a website: WOFF2, always. It's the smallest and universally supported.

This is why our font pages serve WOFF2 for the live previews but let you download the original TTF/OTF for desktop use — each format for its job.