How to Locate Mac or Windows Font Files

Use the extensions to identify the type of fonts you find

What to Know

  • Default location for TrueType and OpenType fonts in Windows: Fonts folder. Enter Fonts in the Windows search bar to open.
  • Default location for TrueType and OpenType fonts in macOS: System > Library > Fonts.
  • Font files, which have filename extensions such as .ttf, .ttc, and .otf, may reside in other folders; try searching for *.[filename extension].

This article shows you how and where to find TrueType, OpenType, and Type 1 font files on your Windows or Mac computer.

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Windows TrueType and OpenType Fonts

The default location for installed TrueType and OpenType fonts in Windows is in the Fonts folder, although the actual files may be anywhere.

All Windows TrueType fonts have an extension of .ttf or .ttc. OpenType fonts have an extension of .ttf or .otf.

In directories and folders other than the Windows Font folder, the Details view doesn't show the font name; it only shows the filename. However, if you double-click the filename, the font name displays.

Windows Type 1 Fonts

The default location for Type 1 fonts is either the psfonts or the psfonts/pfm directory. As with TrueType fonts, the files may be located anywhere.

For 2000/XP and older operating systems, use Adobe Type Manager Light (ATM) or other font-management software to locate both of the required files for a Type 1 (PostScript) font. With ATM open, highlight a font name in the Fonts window, then choose File > Properties. A pop-up window shows the complete path to two files.

Each Windows Type 1 font uses a .pfm and a .pfb file. The icon for both the .pfb and .pfm files is a dog-eared page with a lowercase script 'a' for Adobe.

Macintosh TrueType and OpenType Fonts

Locating fonts and files in a Mac is somewhat easier than in Windows. The default location for all system fonts in System 7.1 and later is the Fonts folder inside the System folder.

There is only one file for each TrueType or OpenType font. The TrueType file extension is .ttf or .ttc. The OpenType file extension is .otf or .ttf.

  1. Under the Go menu in macOS Finder, select Computer.

    Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Shift+Command+C.

    Computer under the Go menu in macOS Finder
  2. Select Macintosh HD.

  3. Open the System folder.

  4. Select Library.

  5. The fonts are in the Fonts folder.

    The path to the Fonts file in macOS Finder

Macintosh Type 1 Fonts

You won't find many Postscript Type 1 fonts on a Mac. Look for these fonts in the user's Library > Fonts and in the computer's Library > Fonts.

If you move a Type 1 font or send a font to someone, transmit both the bitmap (screen) suitcase and outline (printer) file for each Type 1 font.

  1. From the Finder menu on the desktop, click Go while holding down the Option key.

  2. Select Library.

    Library under the Go menu in macOS
  3. Open the Fonts folder.

    The Fonts folder in macOS Finder
  4. The font files are in that folder.

The bitmap font icon appears as a dog-eared page with the letter A. Each bitmap filename for Type 1 fonts includes the point size (Times 10, for example). Under System 7.1 or later, all the bitmap files for a font are in a suitcase in the Fonts folder.

The outline file icon appears as a letter A in front of horizontal lines. Most Type 1 outline files are named using the first five characters of the font name, followed by the first three characters of each style ("HelveBol" for Helvetica Bold and "TimesBolIta" for Times Bold Italic, for example). An outline filename does not include a point size.

Font Types and Filenames

TrueType and OpenType fonts consist of a single file each. Adobe Postscript Type 1 fonts require two files to work properly—a .pfm (Printer Font Metrics) screen font file and a .pfb (Printer Font Binary) printer font file.

Filenames for fonts are cryptic at best. The extension is usually the best indicator of the type of font you have. For Type 1 fonts, the two files are often located in different folders.

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