Font Licensing: Complete Guide to Legal Usage
Understand font licensing, desktop vs web rights, free vs commercial fonts, compliance requirements, and avoid common legal mistakes
In Simple Terms
Desktop licenses (Word, Photoshop) do NOT cover web use. You need a separate web font license to use fonts on websites with @font-face.Safe free options: Google Fonts (all free for web/desktop), Open Font License (OFL) fonts, and fonts specifically labeled "free for commercial use." Always verify license terms.Commercial font pricing: typically per-font-weight, per-pageview tiers for web. Keep purchase receipts and license documents. Font foundries actively monitor unauthorized web usage.
In this article
Font licensing governs how you can legally use typefaces in projects, with distinct rights for desktop use (documents, graphics) versus web use (websites, apps). Unlike most software, fonts are subject to complex copyright and trademark protections because typeface designs are considered artistic works. Violating font licenses exposes individuals and companies to copyright infringement lawsuits, cease-and-desist letters, and financial damages ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on usage scale and commercial benefit.
The most critical misunderstanding is assuming desktop licenses permit web use. A desktop license for Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop does NOT grant rights to embed fonts in websites—this requires a separate web font license or @font-face license. Similarly, "free for personal use" fonts cannot be used in commercial projects without purchasing commercial licenses. Font foundries actively monitor unauthorized use through web crawlers and legal services, making compliance essential for both legal protection and professional ethics.
This comprehensive guide covers font licensing from fundamentals to practical compliance. You'll learn how font copyright works, common license types (desktop, web, app, server), the critical distinction between desktop and web licenses, free and open source font options with proper attribution, commercial licensing considerations including pricing models, compliance best practices for organizations, and common licensing mistakes that lead to legal issues. Whether you're a designer, developer, or business owner, understanding font licensing protects you legally and ethically.
Font Licensing Fundamentals
Why Fonts Are Licensed
Fonts are software and artistic works protected by multiple forms of intellectual property:
- Copyright: Protects the font software (code, outlines, hinting)
- Trademark: Protects the typeface name (e.g., "Helvetica")
- Design Rights: In some countries, protects the visual design
- Trade Dress: Protects distinctive visual appearance
Font licenses define how you can use this protected intellectual property without infringing rights.
What Licenses Control
Font licenses specify:
- • Use cases: Desktop, web, mobile app, server, embedding
- • User limits: Number of computers, designers, developers
- • Pageview limits: For web fonts (e.g., 10K, 100K, 1M views/month)
- • Modification rights: Whether you can modify, subset, convert
- • Distribution rights: Whether you can share with clients, users
- • Commercial use: Personal vs commercial project restrictions
- • Attribution: Whether credit must be given to designer/foundry
Consequences of License Violations
Legal Risks:
- • Cease-and-desist letters: Legal demand to stop using font immediately
- • Copyright lawsuits: Statutory damages $750-$150,000 per work infringed (US)
- • Lost profits: Foundry can claim damages based on what you should have paid
- • Attorneys' fees: You may have to pay foundry's legal costs
- • Reputational damage: Public exposure of copyright infringement
Real examples: Companies have paid $50K-$500K+ in settlements for unauthorized font use.
Key Principle: Read the License
Always read the End User License Agreement (EULA) before using any font. Every foundry has different terms. If unclear, contact the foundry directly—they're usually happy to clarify. When in doubt, consult legal counsel before using fonts in commercial projects.
Common License Types
Desktop License
Covers:
- • Installing font on computer (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- • Using in desktop applications (Word, Photoshop, InDesign)
- • Creating print documents, PDFs, graphics
- • Typically limited to 1-5 computers per license
Does NOT Cover:
- • Using font on websites (@font-face embedding)
- • Mobile apps or software applications
- • Server-side rendering or PDFs generated by server
Web Font License (@font-face)
Covers:
- • Embedding fonts in websites via CSS @font-face
- • Self-hosting font files on your server
- • Typically metered by pageviews/month (10K, 100K, 1M, unlimited)
- • May include rights to convert formats (TTF → WOFF2)
Common Restrictions:
- • Limited to specific domains
- • Pageview tiers require upgrading as traffic grows
- • Cannot redistribute font files to users
App License
Covers:
- • Embedding fonts in mobile apps (iOS, Android)
- • Desktop software applications
- • Typically metered by number of app downloads or installs
Note: Some foundries require separate licenses for iOS vs Android.
Other License Types
Server License:
For generating PDFs or images on servers. Usually requires special license.
Broadcast License:
For TV, film, video. Often requires special agreement.
Enterprise License:
Covers all use cases across organization. Most expensive but comprehensive.
Desktop vs Web Licenses: Critical Distinction
Most Common Licensing Mistake
Misconception: "I bought the font for my computer, so I can use it on my website."
Reality: Desktop licenses almost NEVER include web font rights. These are separate licenses with separate pricing.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Desktop License | Web Font License |
|---|---|---|
| Allowed Use | Desktop apps, print, local files | Websites via @font-face |
| Metered By | Number of computers/users | Pageviews per month or domains |
| Typical Price | $20-$100 per style | $10-$200/year depending on traffic |
| File Format | OTF, TTF | WOFF2, WOFF |
| Conversion Rights | Usually prohibited | Often included |
Real-World Scenario
Situation: Designer purchases Proxima Nova desktop license ($99) for creating client mockups in Photoshop. Client approves design and wants to launch website using Proxima Nova.
Problem: Desktop license doesn't cover web use. Converting TTF to WOFF2 and using on website violates license.
Solution: Purchase separate web font license (~$40-60/year for 100K pageviews) or use alternative free font.
Free and Open Source Fonts
Google Fonts (Most Popular)
URL: fonts.google.com
License:
- • All fonts under open source licenses (mostly OFL)
- • 100% free for personal AND commercial use
- • Desktop and web use both allowed
- • Can modify, convert, subset freely
- • No attribution required (though appreciated)
1,500+ font families including Roboto, Open Sans, Lato, Montserrat
Open Font License (OFL)
Key Terms:
- • ✓ Free for personal and commercial use
- • ✓ Can modify and convert
- • ✓ Can distribute modified versions
- • ⚠ Modified versions must use different name
- • ⚠ Cannot sell font by itself (can use in products)
- • ✓ No attribution required for use (but required if modified)
Most popular open font license. Used by Google Fonts and many independent designers.
Other Free Font Sources
Font Squirrel:
Curated collection of 100% free commercial fonts. "Commercial Use" filter ensures safe licensing.
Adobe Fonts (with Creative Cloud):
20,000+ fonts included with CC subscription. Desktop and web use allowed for subscribers.
The League of Moveable Type:
High-quality open source fonts. All OFL licensed.
Beware "Free for Personal Use"
Many free font sites offer fonts marked "free for personal use" which are NOT free for commercial projects.
- • Personal use: Hobby projects, personal website, non-commercial work
- • Commercial use: Client work, business websites, products for sale, company branding
- • If unsure: Assume it's NOT free for your use. Contact designer or purchase commercial license.
Commercial Font Licensing
Typical Pricing Models
| License Type | Typical Price | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop (1-5 users) | $20-$100 | Per style, one-time |
| Web Font (10K views) | $10-$30 | Per year |
| Web Font (100K views) | $40-$80 | Per year |
| Web Font (1M views) | $100-$200 | Per year |
| App (10K installs) | $50-$150 | One-time or annual |
Popular Commercial Font Marketplaces
MyFonts.com
Largest marketplace. Desktop, web, app licenses available separately.
Fonts.com
Monotype's marketplace. Subscription and perpetual licenses.
FontShop
Curated selection of high-quality typefaces.
Fontspring
Known for "worry-free" licenses with clear terms.
Ensuring License Compliance
Compliance Checklist
- ☐ Read and save EULA for every font used
- ☐ Verify license covers your specific use case (web, app, etc.)
- ☐ Track licenses in central document or database
- ☐ Ensure licenses cover all users/computers in organization
- ☐ Monitor website traffic stays within pageview limits
- ☐ Upgrade licenses if traffic/usage grows
- ☐ Don't share licensed fonts with unauthorized users
- ☐ Include font licenses in project handoff to clients
- ☐ Remove fonts from retired projects to stay within license limits
- ☐ Conduct annual license audit
For Agencies and Teams
- • Designate license manager to track all font licenses
- • Maintain spreadsheet: Font name, license type, users covered, renewal date
- • Set calendar reminders for license renewals
- • Include font licensing in project budgets
- • Educate team on licensing requirements
- • Consider enterprise licenses for frequently-used fonts
Documentation Best Practices
Keep records of:
- • Purchase receipts and invoices
- • License agreements (EULA)
- • Which projects use which fonts
- • Current pageview/traffic levels
- • License renewal dates
Common Licensing Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using Desktop Font on Website
Converting TTF to WOFF2 and using on website without web font license
Solution: Purchase web font license or use free alternative
Mistake 2: "Free for Personal Use" in Commercial Project
Using font marked "personal use" on client website or business
Solution: Purchase commercial license or choose truly free font (OFL)
Mistake 3: Exceeding User/Pageview Limits
License for 5 users but 15 people using font, or exceeding pageview tier
Solution: Upgrade license to match actual usage
Mistake 4: Sharing Fonts with Clients
Sending font files to client without transferring license rights
Solution: Client must purchase their own license, or include licensing in project scope
Mistake 5: Not Reading the EULA
Assuming standard terms without reading specific license agreement
Solution: Always read EULA before using font. When unclear, contact foundry
Summary: Understanding Font Licensing
Font licensing protects typeface designers' intellectual property while enabling legal use in projects. The most critical distinction is desktop vs web licenses—desktop licenses do NOT permit website use without separate web font license. Always read the EULA, track licenses carefully, and upgrade as usage grows.
For personal and commercial projects, Google Fonts provides 1,500+ free fonts under open licenses. For premium fonts, purchase appropriate licenses (desktop, web, app) matching your use case. When in doubt, contact the foundry or consult legal counsel. Proper licensing protects you legally while supporting font designers who create the typefaces we all use.
Written & Verified by
Sarah Mitchell
Product Designer, Font Specialist