Best FontForge Format for Cross-Platform Fonts

When exporting typefaces using FontForge, choosing the correct file format ensures your font displays and functions reliably across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. This article identifies the OpenType TrueType format (.ttf) as the most reliable export option for maximum cross-platform compatibility, outlines how it compares to OpenType CFF (.otf), and provides the direct steps to export your font properly in FontForge.

The single best export format for maximum cross-platform compatibility in FontForge is TrueType (generating a .ttf file with TrueType outlines).

While both .ttf and .otf belong to the modern OpenType specification, .ttf files with TrueType outlines have the widest legacy and contemporary software support. Some legacy operating systems, budget digital cutters, older word processors, and specific web-rendering engines exhibit subtle rendering or metrics bugs when loading PostScript/CFF outlines (.otf). In contrast, TrueType outlines render predictably across virtually every modern and legacy computing environment, mobile platform, and web browser.

TrueType (.ttf) vs. OpenType CFF (.otf)

  • OpenType TrueType (.ttf): Uses quadratic Bézier curves. It is universally supported by desktop operating systems, office applications, web browsers, and embedded systems. It is the safest choice for general distribution.
  • OpenType CFF (.otf): Uses cubic Bézier curves (PostScript outlines). It produces slightly smaller file sizes and is widely used in high-end print and desktop publishing software, such as Adobe Creative Cloud. However, older Windows applications and non-standard software occasionally struggle with PostScript font metrics.

How to Export for Maximum Compatibility in FontForge

To export your project from FontForge with maximum compatibility:

  1. Open your project file (.sfd) in FontForge.
  2. Navigate to Element > Validation > Find Problems to verify that your paths have no self-intersections, correct winding directions, and points snapped to whole integer values.
  3. Select File > Generate Fonts... from the top menu.
  4. In the dialog window, ensure the export dropdown is set to TrueType.
  5. Click the Options button next to the file format dropdown. Ensure Round to Int is checked, and verify that OpenType tables are set according to your needs.
  6. Click Generate to create your cross-platform .ttf file.