OTF to DFONT Converter
Convert OpenType Font to macOS Datafork Font. 50 MB file size, unlimited uploads. Fast, secure, and completely private conversion.
Upload Fonts
Drag and drop your font files here or click to browse
Only OTF files are accepted
Max file size 50 MB.
Disclaimer: This tool is provided as-is for convenience and does not constitute legal advice. Font licenses vary; you are responsible for ensuring you have the rights to upload and convert files and that your intended use is permitted. Converting a font does not grant new rights. Results may be imperfect, and use is at your own risk.
Developer & Verifier

Developed by
Marcus Rodriguez
Lead Developer

Verified by
Sarah Mitchell
Product Designer, Font Specialist
About This Conversion
Everything you need to know about converting between these formats
OpenType Font
OpenType Font (OTF) is an extension of TrueType, offering advanced typographic features like ligatures and alternate glyphs. It supports more characters and is preferred for professional design work due to its superior font rendering capabilities.
macOS Datafork Font
macOS Datafork Font is a legacy Mac format that stores font data in the resource fork. It's mainly used for compatibility with older macOS systems and classic Mac applications.
Why Convert OTF to DFONT?
Web developers optimizing fonts for faster page loads
Designers ensuring cross-platform compatibility
Publishers preparing fonts for digital distribution
Developers working with legacy browser support
How to Convert OTF to DFONT
Simple 3-step process that takes less than a minute
Upload Your Font
Select your OTF font file from your computer or drag and drop it into the converter above.
Convert Instantly
Click the convert button and our tool will process your font file in server RAM only. Files are processed and immediately deleted - never written to disk.
Download Result
Your converted DFONT file will be ready immediately. Download it and use it in your project.
OTF vs DFONT: Feature Comparison
Technical comparison between source and target formats
| Feature | OTF | DFONT | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| File Size | 180 KB | 210 KB (+17%) | OTF |
| Windows Support | Full support | None | OTF |
| macOS Support | Full support | Limited/deprecated | OTF |
| Linux Support | Full support | None | OTF |
| OpenType Features | Full support | None | OTF |
| Era | Modern (current) | Mac OS 9 (2001) | OTF |
| Best For | All modern use | Nothing (obsolete) | OTF |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about converting OTF to DFONT
1Why convert OTF to DFONT?
You shouldn't in 2024. DFONT is a legacy Mac OS 9 format. Modern macOS (10.0+) natively uses OTF and TTF. Converting OTF to DFONT is a downgrade that reduces compatibility and removes modern features. Only do this for archival purposes.
2Does DFONT support PostScript outlines from OTF?
No. DFONT predates PostScript font support in modern formats. Converting PostScript-based OTF to DFONT converts curves to an older format and loses the benefits of PostScript outlines. This is a significant quality downgrade.
3Will I lose OpenType features?
Yes, completely. DFONT predates OpenType. All advanced typography features (ligatures, stylistic alternates, contextual features) are stripped during conversion. You lose the main advantage of OTF fonts.
4Does DFONT work on modern macOS?
Barely. macOS can read DFONT files but treats them as legacy formats with limited support. Modern macOS strongly prefers OTF and TTF. There's zero advantage to using DFONT on any modern system.
5Will DFONT work on Windows or Linux?
No. DFONT is macOS-exclusive and doesn't work on Windows or Linux at all. Converting OTF to DFONT destroys cross-platform compatibility. Keep OTF for universal support.
6Is DFONT smaller than OTF?
No. DFONT files are similar in size to OTF, sometimes larger due to resource fork overhead. There's no file size benefit. For smaller files, convert to WOFF2 for web use instead.
7Should I archive fonts as DFONT?
Not recommended for archival. OTF or TTF are better choices – these are modern, standardized formats with long-term support. DFONT is a legacy format that may lose support in future macOS versions. Use standard formats for archiving.
8Can I use DFONT for web fonts?
No. DFONT is not a web format and has zero browser support. For web use, convert OTF to WOFF2 (best compression) or WOFF (broader compatibility). DFONT is desktop-only and even there, it's obsolete.
File Size Comparison
See how file sizes change after conversion
| Original (OTF) | Converted (DFONT) | Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180 KB (OTF) | 210 KB (DFONT) | +17% larger | DFONT resource fork adds overhead |
| 350 KB (OTF) | 430 KB (DFONT) | +23% larger | Format conversion increases size |
| 100 KB (OTF) | 122 KB (DFONT) | +22% larger | Mac-specific format overhead |
| 700 KB (OTF) | 910 KB (DFONT) | +30% larger | Large fonts have significant overhead |
Performance Metrics
Technical performance indicators for this conversion
- File Size Increase:+17-26% larger
DFONT resource fork overhead
- Cross-Platform Loss:-67%
DFONT Mac-only; OTF works everywhere
- Desktop Performance:Poor
DFONT barely supported on modern macOS
- Feature Loss:Complete
DFONT strips all OpenType features
- Compatibility:Terrible
DFONT doesn't work on Windows/Linux
- Recommendation:Never convert
Keep OTF or convert to TTF, never DFONT
Implementation Examples
Production-ready code for your converted fonts
Desktop Font Installation
Installing DFONT fonts on your system
/* DFONT Font Installation Instructions
*
* Windows:
* 1. Right-click the dfont file
* 2. Click "Install" or "Install for all users"
* 3. Font available in all applications
*
* macOS:
* 1. Double-click the dfont file
* 2. Click "Install Font" in Font Book
* 3. Font available system-wide
*
* Linux:
* 1. Copy dfont file to ~/.fonts/ or /usr/share/fonts/
* 2. Run: fc-cache -f -v
* 3. Font available in all applications
*
* Use in applications:
* Select font from dropdown in:
* - Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
* - Word, PowerPoint, Excel
* - Any desktop application
*/Browser Compatibility
Which browsers support DFONT fonts
| Browser | Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Use | N/A | DFONT is for desktop applications, not browsers |
| Windows | Varies | Check DFONT compatibility with your Windows version |
| macOS | Varies | Check DFONT compatibility with your macOS version |
| Linux | Varies | Check DFONT compatibility with your distribution |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Solutions to problems you might encounter
DFONT doesn't install on modern macOS
Modern macOS (10.13+) has very limited DFONT support. The font may install with errors or not work in all apps. DFONT is obsolete (Mac OS 9 era). Convert OTF to TTF instead – it works perfectly on all modern macOS versions.
Lost all OpenType features
DFONT predates OpenType and strips all modern features. All ligatures, stylistic alternates, contextual features are lost. This is a fundamental DFONT limitation. If you need modern typography, keep OTF or convert to TTF, not DFONT.
PostScript outlines not supported
DFONT cannot hold PostScript (CFF) outlines. If your OTF uses PostScript curves, they're converted to an older format with quality loss. This is another reason to avoid DFONT. Use TTF or keep OTF for modern systems.
File size increased dramatically
DFONT has resource fork overhead that bloats file size. OTF is already efficient; converting to DFONT makes files 20-40% larger. There's no file size benefit. Keep OTF or use TTF for better efficiency.
Why would anyone do this conversion?
You shouldn't. OTF to DFONT is a severe downgrade: loses features, increases size, reduces compatibility. DFONT only works on Mac and is obsolete even there. Keep OTF for modern systems or convert to TTF for universal compatibility.
When NOT to Use DFONT
Scenarios where you should keep OTF or choose a different format
Cross-platform use
Why not: DFONT is Mac-exclusive; OTF works everywhereUse instead: Keep OTF - works on Windows/Mac/Linux; DFONT Mac-onlyModern macOS
Why not: Modern macOS prefers OTF/TTF; DFONT is obsoleteUse instead: Keep OTF; it works better on modern macOS than DFONTOpenType features needed
Why not: DFONT strips all OpenType features completelyUse instead: Keep OTF to preserve all modern font featuresAny modern use
Why not: DFONT from Mac OS 9 (2001); obsolete with no advantagesUse instead: Never convert to DFONT; keep OTF for modern compatibility
Related Conversions
Other font conversions you might need
OTF to TTF
Convert OTF to TTF instead (better than DFONT)
DFONT to OTF
Reverse: Convert DFONT to modern OTF
OTF to WOFF2
Convert OTF to WOFF2 for web use
DFONT to WOFF2
Modernize DFONT to web WOFF2
TTF to OTF
Convert TTF to OTF for typography
DFONT to TTF
Modernize DFONT to TTF (recommended)
