It’s been a lot of fun to share so many new fonts with you lately, like the latest batch with Free Calligraphy & Handwriting Fonts. A few of you have asked, “How do you install fonts?” Since I’m here to help, today I’m going to share an easy step by step on how to install fonts onto your computer. If you’re a Mac girl (or guy) don’t worry, my girl Beth at Stories of A to Z will walk you through it.
*Warning: It looks overwhelming, but after you do it once, you can do it in just a few seconds, it really is simple so don’t get scared by all the steps. I just want to make sure that I’m sharing every single step so you can do it, m’kay?
First things first: Find your font. Once you choose a font, click “Download” to put it onto your computer. Depending upon your settings, you will either get a prompt to choose where to download it – or it will go directly to your “downloads” folder (found in your menu.) After you download the file, open the folder where the download went.
Font files are always downloaded a zip file (well, all the ones I’ve downloaded are.) To access the actual font information to install it, you will need to “unzip” the file. To do this, right click on the zipped font file, then choose “Extract All” from the pop up menu.
Once you’ve unzipped the file, it will look like any normal file on your computer. To get to the actual font information, you will need to open up this folder. Just like any other file, either double click the folder, or right click and choose “Open” from the pop up menu.
Now that you have the font files unburied, next you’ll need to find the actual font files that are on your computer. The easiest way is to go into your start menu and choose “Computer” which will open up a window. In the top right hand corner of that window is a search bar – type FONTS into the box and hit enter – and the first file that pops up under search should be your actual fonts folder. Double click that folder to open it in the window (or right click and choose “Open.”)
Put the font window on one side of the screen, and your font folder on the other side, then select the Font Files, making sure that you choose only the actual font files, not the samples or info.
Next, just drag the fonts from their unzipped download folders into the Fonts folder. Once the install box disappears, close all the windows and you’re done! If you’re downloading more than one font at a time, don’t close the Fonts window until you’ve installed them all, though.
Now, when you open up any font capable program, like Word, Picasa, Photoshop, etc. the fonts will be ready to go.
Looking for some fonts to start with? You can find some great ones in my free fonts collections
15 Fabulous Free Fonts
Eleven Lovely Free Fonts
Free Calligraphy and Script Fonts
15 Fun & Free Fonts
Bonnie (BornInaZoo) says
Being a font fiend & had 5000 in my fonts folder, I have been storing fonts in the folder of the project I’m working on. That really makes it easier to find a font because I remember the project, but not the name of a font. On a Windows PC, prior to Win7 you could open a font & then the program … no need to install.
Lady Pamela says
Excellent post. Thanks so much for the easy to follow instructions.
*Smiles*
Jenny Lynn says
Thanks for sharing how to install fonts onto my pc. I have been wondering how to do this. 🙂
Shari @ turnstylevogue.com says
Perfect timing on this post. Thanks!!!
Kaaren Armstrong says
It seems you love fonts as much as I do. I have enjoyed using the fonts you have shared. Keep them coming. This is a very good tutorial for those that need to know how to “use” the fonts, once downloaded. Fonts can add so much to a product, post etc. Thanks for sharing
An Inviting Home says
This is GREAT! I was looking for a good “installing fonts tutorial” to share with my readers on Pinterest and would love to pin this. It is probably right in front of me and I am just missing it but I don’t see a pin button? Could you help me?
thanks!
Sarah
An Inviting Home says
LOL…now I see it on the photos! Nevermind 🙂
~Sarah
Annamieke says
Awesome many thanks for the help.
Fadla says
HI, any idea how to install them on a Mac?
Thanks!
danielle says
where is the link for the MAC instructions??
Gina says
Here ya go: http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/blogging/install-fonts-on-a-mac.html
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
Thanks so much for this, Gina! Very helpful!
Aimee says
Oh my goodness!! Thank you so much for the easy instructions!! I’m now a font addict!!
Sylvia says
No wonder I could never get fonts to download…I was doing it ALL WRONG! Thank you so much for the clear tutorial for computer illiterates like me.
Deborah @ Delicious Happens says
Thank you so much for this tutorial!! Much appreciated!!! Really helpful!!!
Christi says
When I attempt to download the fonts, my antivirus software blocks the download. Has this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions
Mandy says
Thank you thank you thank you!
Kristin says
Thank you so much! I have been trying to get this right and always seem to be missing something but your tutorial was great and I was able to use a new font!
Blessings,
Kristin
Jennifer Gonzales says
You are amazing!!! Especially with the perfect download instructions!!! Thank you, this has helped me do my wedding invites all DIY!!!!
Monica says
Thanks so much for sharing these!
The fonts and also the instruction to install them.
Thank you soooooo much!!
Sonya Elizabeth says
One suggestion is to make the directions about the font folder and moving the fonts. I figured it out but it was a bit obscure. To be honest, I am not sure how to best say it, but perhaps something that explains that the fonts folder is where your downloaded fonts wind up in the end and they get moved from the zip files that go into (in my case) the download folder. Perhaps someone already suggested and I am just too lazy to read all the comments! LOL Thanks though. I’ve downloaded some before and then I’m like ok, what now?
Channon Smith says
Thanks for the tutorial!!!! I appreciate your website and collection of Fonts. I found you on pinterest. Love it. I have windows 8 and I followed the tutorial but realized that instead of opening the fonts folder and dragging my new font over to install, there is an install button on the new font file at the top. Score!!!
Gina Luker says
So happy to hear! 🙂