EOT vs DFONT: Complete Format Comparison
Comprehensive comparison of EOT and DFONT formats covering obsolete web font versus legacy Mac desktop, platform-specific failures, and why both should be avoided
In Simple Terms
Both are legacy platform-specific formats. EOT for old IE (0% support, obsolete), DFONT for old macOS (Mac-only, legacy). Different purposes, same problem.EOT completely obsolete (IE retired 2022). DFONT works on Mac only—no Windows/Linux/web support. Both limit modern cross-platform use.Convert to modern formats: EOT → delete, use WOFF2 for web. DFONT → TTF (cross-platform) or WOFF2 (web). Use OTF/TTF + WOFF2 for full compatibility.
In this article
EOT (Embedded OpenType) and DFONT (Data Fork Font) represent two platform-specific font formats that never achieved universal adoption, with EOT being Microsoft's failed web font attempt for Internet Explorer and DFONT being Apple's Mac-only desktop container from the OS X transition era. EOT, created by Microsoft in 1997 for IE4, was a proprietary web font format with DRM features achieving ~40-50% compression but remaining locked to Internet Explorer—other browsers refused to implement it, and IE11's retirement in June 2022 dropped EOT support to 0%. DFONT, created by Apple in 2001 during Mac OS X launch, stores TrueType data in Unix-compatible data fork format for macOS desktop installation only, with zero web compatibility and no support on Windows, Linux, or mobile platforms.
The critical distinction is that these formats serve different purposes but share a common fate of platform lock-in: EOT was designed for web delivery but only worked in IE (web format, single-platform failure), while DFONT is designed for macOS desktop installation only (desktop format, single-platform by design). As of 2025, EOT has 0% browser support and is completely obsolete, while DFONT remains functional on macOS but is a legacy format that modern macOS users should replace with standard OTF/TTF files. Both formats demonstrate the problems of platform-specific solutions—EOT failed because other browsers rejected Microsoft's proprietary approach, and DFONT limits interoperability because Windows/Linux cannot read it.
This guide compares EOT and DFONT to clarify their distinct failures and why both should be avoided in modern workflows. You'll learn the technical specifications showing EOT's IE-only web approach versus DFONT's Mac-only desktop structure, use cases demonstrating why EOT is obsolete and DFONT is legacy, platform compatibility showing both formats' severe limitations, historical context explaining their creation and current status, and definitive recommendations to use WOFF2/WOFF for web and OTF/TTF for desktop. Whether removing obsolete web fonts or managing Mac font libraries, this guide provides essential knowledge about two formats that exemplify the problems of platform-specific technologies.
Format Overview
EOT (Embedded OpenType)
History and Purpose:
- • Created by Microsoft exclusively (1997, IE4)
- • Proprietary web font format with DRM
- • Designed for web delivery (IE only)
- • Never adopted by Chrome, Firefox, Safari
- • Obsolete: IE retired June 2022 (0% support)
Technical Characteristics:
- • MicroType Express compression (~40-50%)
- • Binary format with DRM features
- • File size: ~80 KB (compressed)
- • Extension: .eot
Current Status (2025):
- • Zero browser support
- • Completely obsolete
- • Use case: None (remove from all projects)
DFONT (Data Fork Font)
History and Purpose:
- • Created by Apple (2001) for Mac OS X
- • Transition from Classic Mac resource forks
- • Designed for desktop installation (macOS only)
- • Never intended for web or cross-platform
- • Legacy: Modern macOS supports OTF/TTF better
Technical Characteristics:
- • Contains TrueType data in data fork
- • Uncompressed desktop format
- • File size: ~150-300 KB
- • Extension: .dfont
Current Status (2025):
- • Works on macOS desktop only
- • Legacy format
- • Use case: Legacy Mac systems only
Different Failures, Same Problem
- EOT: Web font locked to IE, rejected by other browsers, now 0% support
- DFONT: Desktop font locked to macOS, can't be used elsewhere
- Common issue: Platform-specific lock-in prevents universal adoption
- Modern solution: WOFF2/WOFF (web) and OTF/TTF (desktop) are universal
Technical Differences
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | EOT | DFONT |
|---|---|---|
| Creator | Microsoft (1997) | Apple (2001) |
| Purpose | Web font delivery | Desktop installation |
| Platform | IE only (Windows) | macOS only |
| Compression | MicroType Express (~40-50%) | None |
| File Size | ~80 KB | ~150-300 KB |
| Web Compatible | Was (IE), now 0% | Never |
| Desktop Install | No | Yes (macOS) |
| Cross-Platform | No | No |
| Status | Obsolete (0%) | Legacy (Mac only) |
EOT Platform Lock-In
- IE exclusive: Only Internet Explorer supported EOT
- Other browsers refused: Chrome, Firefox, Safari never implemented
- DRM complexity: URL binding broke workflows
- IE retired: June 2022 = 0% browser support
- Result: Complete failure, WOFF/WOFF2 replaced it
DFONT Platform Lock-In
- macOS only: Cannot be installed on Windows or Linux
- No web support: Browsers cannot use DFONT
- Data fork structure: macOS-specific file system feature
- Legacy format: Modern macOS prefers OTF/TTF
- Result: Limited utility, OTF/TTF are better choices
Use Cases and Context
Never Use EOT:
- • Zero support: 0% browser support since IE11 retired
- • Completely obsolete: No modern browser reads EOT
- • No advantages: WOFF/WOFF2 superior in every way
- • Action: Remove all EOT references immediately
DFONT Limited Use:
- • Legacy Mac systems: Old Mac OS X applications from 2001-2010
- • System fonts: Some bundled Apple fonts
- • Historical archives: Old Mac font collections
- • Action: Convert to OTF/TTF for universal compatibility
Modern Alternatives:
- • For web: Use WOFF2 (primary) + WOFF (fallback), 99%+ coverage
- • For desktop: Use OTF/TTF, works on all platforms
- • Universal: These formats work everywhere
- • Result: No need for platform-specific formats
Platform Compatibility
Platform Support Matrix
| Platform | EOT | DFONT |
|---|---|---|
| Web Browsers (All) | ✗ (0%) | ✗ |
| Windows Desktop | ✗ | ✗ |
| macOS Desktop | ✗ | ✓ |
| Linux Desktop | ✗ | ✗ |
| iOS/Android | ✗ | ✗ |
✓ = Supported | ✗ = Not supported
Historical Context
Timeline
- 1997: Microsoft creates EOT for IE4 (web fonts)
- 2001: Apple creates DFONT for Mac OS X (desktop fonts)
- 1997-2009: EOT remains IE-exclusive despite being first
- 2009: WOFF created as open web font standard
- 2012: WOFF becomes W3C standard, universal adoption
- 2018: WOFF2 becomes standard, improves compression
- 2022: IE11 retired, EOT support drops to 0%
- 2025: EOT obsolete, DFONT legacy, OTF/TTF/WOFF2 standard
Why Platform-Specific Formats Failed
- • Single-vendor control: Prevents universal adoption
- • Lack of interoperability: Creates silos, limits usefulness
- • Industry rejection: Developers prefer cross-platform solutions
- • Open standards win: WOFF/OTF succeeded through collaboration
Modern Recommendations
Use Universal Formats:
- • Web: WOFF2 (primary) + WOFF (fallback), 99%+ coverage
- • Desktop: OTF or TTF, works on all platforms
- • Result: Universal compatibility, no platform lock-in
Avoid Platform-Specific Formats:
- • Never use EOT: 0% support, completely obsolete
- • Minimize DFONT: Convert to OTF/TTF for cross-platform
- • Action: Remove EOT, convert DFONT, use standards
Migration Checklist
- ☐ Remove all EOT references from CSS
- ☐ Delete .eot files from server
- ☐ Convert DFONT to OTF/TTF using FontForge
- ☐ Use OTF/TTF for desktop work
- ☐ Convert OTF/TTF to WOFF2 + WOFF for web
- ☐ Test fonts in all target platforms
- ☐ Document font sources and licenses
Summary: EOT vs DFONT
EOT and DFONT represent platform-specific failures in font technology. EOT (Microsoft 1997) was a proprietary web font locked to IE with 0% support since IE11 retired (2022). DFONT (Apple 2001) is a macOS-only desktop container with no web or cross-platform compatibility. Both demonstrate platform lock-in problems. Use WOFF2/WOFF for web (99%+ coverage) and OTF/TTF for desktop (universal). Remove all EOT references immediately. Convert DFONT to OTF/TTF for interoperability. Modern formats provide universal compatibility without platform restrictions.
Written & Verified by
Sarah Mitchell
Product Designer, Font Specialist
EOT vs DFONT FAQs
Common questions answered about this font format comparison