# Install fontforge with Homebrew, apk, chocolatey, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, scoop, winget, zypper Command-line outline and bitmap font editor/converter. Version 20251009 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:fontforge ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install fontforge ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata - MacPorts (94%): ```sh sudo port install fontforge ``` Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: graphics/fontforge/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Linux - apk (92%): ```sh sudo apk add fontforge ``` Evidence: Alpine Linux edge package indexes: fontforge from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz - Debian apt (92%): ```sh sudo apt install fontforge ``` Evidence: Debian stable package indexes: fontforge from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz - dnf (92%): ```sh sudo dnf install fontforge ``` Evidence: Fedora Rawhide package metadata: fontforge from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#fontforge ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/fo/fontforge/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - pacman (92%): ```sh sudo pacman -S fontforge ``` Evidence: Arch Linux sync databases: fontforge from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz - zypper (92%): ```sh sudo zypper install fontforge ``` Evidence: openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: fontforge from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst ### Windows - Chocolatey (92%): ```sh choco install fontforge ``` Evidence: Chocolatey community package catalog: fontforge from http://community.chocolatey.org/api/v2/Packages?$filter=IsLatestVersion&$select=Id&$top=1000&$skiptoken='8.412399','intellijidea-edu' - Scoop (92%): ```sh scoop install extras/fontforge ``` Evidence: Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/fontforge.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Extras/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - winget (92%): ```sh winget install --id FontForge.FontForge -e ``` Evidence: Windows Package Manager source index: FontForge.FontForge from https://cdn.winget.microsoft.com/cache/source.msix ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:fontforge - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 20251009 - **Source summary:** Command-line outline and bitmap font editor/converter - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** GPL-3.0-or-later - **Source archive:** - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T07:18:31+00:00 ## Executables - acorn2sfd (cli) - dewoff (cli) - findtable (cli) - fontforge (cli) - fontimage (cli) - fontlint (cli) - pcl2ttf (cli) - pfadecrypt (cli) - rmligamarks (cli) - sfddiff (cli) - showttf (cli) - stripttc (cli) - ttf2eps (cli) - woff (cli) - acorn2sfd (alias) - dewoff (alias) - findtable (alias) - fontforge (alias) - fontimage (alias) - fontlint (alias) - pcl2ttf (alias) - pfadecrypt (alias) - rmligamarks (alias) - sfddiff (alias) - showttf (alias) - stripttc (alias) - ttf2eps (alias) - woff (alias) ## Dependencies - brotli - cairo - fontconfig - freetype - gettext - giflib - glib - jpeg-turbo - libpng - libspiro - libtiff - libtool - libuninameslist - pango - python@3.14 - readline - woff2 ## Build dependencies - cmake - gettext - ninja - pkgconf ## Uses from macOS - libxml2 ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Caveats: This formula only installs the command line utilities. FontForge.app can be downloaded directly from the website: https://fontforge.github.io Alternatively, install with Homebrew Cask: brew install --cask fontforge - Bottle: available on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 20251009 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://github.com/fontforge/fontforge - info: No package-manager update timestamp was available. - info: No cached GitHub release or tag data was available. ## Project history and usage FontForge is a free font editor and converter for creating, editing, inspecting, and converting outline and bitmap fonts across formats such as OpenType, TrueType, UFO, CID-keyed fonts, and Multiple Master fonts. ### Project history FontForge began as PfaEdit, written by George Williams after experiments with Unicode font work and PostScript font editing. The official history says the first web-posted version appeared on November 7, 2000, and that the project moved to SourceForge in April 2001. PfaEdit expanded quickly: support for pfb, TrueType, BDF, Type 2/OpenType-in-sfnt, CID-keyed fonts, internationalized user interfaces, OpenType GSUB/GPOS features, scripting, FreeType-backed debugging, SVG fonts, and Multiple Master support all arrived in the early 2000s. In March 2004, after users argued that `PfaEdit` no longer described the program, it was renamed FontForge. The current project is community-maintained. The README describes FontForge as free software for Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux, and the documentation identifies copyright by George Williams for 2000-2012 and FontForge authors thereafter. ### Adoption history FontForge grew from a personal editor into a community font-engineering tool because it handled many formats and exposed both a graphical interface and scripting. The official history highlights user requests and conference feedback as drivers for features such as SVG fonts, multi-master support, internationalization, and scripting. Its modern homepage presents downloads, documentation, development links, mailing-list help, and a GitHub organization, reflecting its transition from a SourceForge-era desktop application into a long-lived open-source typography project. ### How it is used Users launch the FontForge GUI for visual font editing, or use bundled command-line utilities such as `fontforge`, `fontlint`, `sfddiff`, `fontimage`, and conversion helpers for automated inspection and conversion workflows. ### Why package nerds care FontForge is package-nerd significant because it is both an application and a toolbox: distributions package it for desktop font designers, automated font QA, format conversion, and build pipelines that need scriptable font manipulation without proprietary editors. ### Timeline - 2000: The first PfaEdit version was posted to the web on November 7. - 2001: PfaEdit moved to SourceForge and gained Type 2/OpenType-in-sfnt, CID-keyed font, and early internationalization support. - 2002: PfaEdit gained a scripting interface. - 2004: PfaEdit was renamed FontForge in March. - 2012: Copyright stewardship shifted from George Williams to the broader FontForge authors. - 2025: The official documentation identifies the 20251009 documentation release. ### Related projects - FontForge is related to FreeType, SourceForge-era PfaEdit, Design With FontForge, UFO workflows, OpenType/TrueType tooling, and the wider open-source type-design ecosystem. ### Sources - - - - ## Security Notes broad file, network, media, or database tool signal. - **Geiger risk:** blue / medium - broad file, network, media, or database tool signal ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** fontforge - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 1 - **Head Version:** HEAD - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** head, stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - Debian apt - fontforge - 1:20230101~dfsg-4+b1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fontforge from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | font editor | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Debian apt - fontforge-common - 1:20230101~dfsg-4: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fontforge-common from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | font editor (common files) | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Debian apt - fontforge-doc - 1:20230101~dfsg-4: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fontforge-doc from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | documentation for fontforge | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Debian apt - fontforge-extras - 1:20230101~dfsg-4+b1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fontforge-extras from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | font editor - extra programs | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Debian apt - fontforge-nox - 1:20230101~dfsg-4+b1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: fontforge-nox from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | font editor - non-X version | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Debian apt - libfontforge4 - 1:20230101~dfsg-4+b1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: libfontforge4 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | font editor - runtime library | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Debian apt - python3-fontforge - 1:20230101~dfsg-4+b1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: python3-fontforge from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | font editor - Python bindings | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Nix - fontforge: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/fo/fontforge/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Ubuntu apt - fontforge - 1:20230101~dfsg-1.1build1: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: fontforge from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | font editor | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Ubuntu apt - fontforge-common - 1:20230101~dfsg-1.1build1: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: fontforge-common from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | font editor (common files) | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Ubuntu apt - fontforge-doc - 1:20230101~dfsg-1.1build1: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: fontforge-doc from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | documentation for fontforge | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Ubuntu apt - fontforge-extras - 1:20230101~dfsg-1.1build1: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: fontforge-extras from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | font editor - extra programs | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Ubuntu apt - fontforge-nox - 1:20230101~dfsg-1.1build1: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: fontforge-nox from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | font editor - non-X version | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Ubuntu apt - libfontforge4 - 1:20230101~dfsg-1.1build1: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libfontforge4 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | font editor - runtime library | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - Ubuntu apt - python3-fontforge - 1:20230101~dfsg-1.1build1: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: python3-fontforge from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | font editor - Python bindings | https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/ - apk - fontforge - 20251009-r1: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: fontforge from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | Free (libre) font editor (CLI tools) | https://fontforge.org/ ## Related links - [Source-control packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/source-control-tools/) - Belongs to a source-control command family. - [Secret-risk packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/secret-risk-packages/) - Has protected-tool coverage, approval-gate, or non-low Geiger security signals. - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Networking and protocol packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/networking-protocol-tools/) - Matched network, protocol, or remote-service metadata. - [brotli](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/brotli/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [cairo](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/cairo/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [fontconfig](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/fontconfig/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [freetype](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/freetype/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [gettext](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/gettext/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [giflib](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/giflib/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [glib](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/glib/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [jpeg-turbo](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/jpeg-turbo/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [cmake](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/cmake/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [ninja](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/ninja/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [pkgconf](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/pkgconf/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [mftrace](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/mftrace/) - Popular package that depends on this formula. - [eot-utils](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/eot-utils/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, fonts, media. - [font-util](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/font-util/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, fonts, media. - [psftools](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/psftools/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, fonts, media. - [graphite2](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/graphite2/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, fonts, media. - [otf2bdf](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/otf2bdf/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, fonts, media. - [dspdfviewer](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/dspdfviewer/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cairo, cli, fontconfig, freetype, gettext. - [openimageio](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/openimageio/) - Both packages touch the same language runtime or ecosystem. Shared terms: cli, freetype, giflib, jpeg, jpeg-turbo. - [synfig](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/synfig/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cairo, cli, command-line, fontconfig, freetype. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/fontforge.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/fontforge.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated package history - package version freshness - av.db category and tag curation - package relationship graph - external package-manager database matches - cross-ecosystem install command graph