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Install fonttools with Homebrew, apt, dnf, zypper

Library for manipulating fonts. Version 4.63.0 via Homebrew; verified 2026-05-15.

Install commandSecurity notes

install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install fonttools

local Homebrew formula metadata

Linux

Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install fonttools

Debian stable package indexes · fonttools · source: deb.debian.org

Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install fonttools

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · fonttools · source: dl.fedoraproject.org

openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install python311-FontTools

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · python311-FontTools · source: download.opensuse.org

overview

Package summary

Library for manipulating fonts

Commands and aliases

  • fonttools
  • pyftmerge
  • pyftsubset
  • ttx

history

Project history and usage

fontTools is a Python library and command-line toolkit for manipulating fonts, best known for TTX, which converts TrueType and OpenType fonts to and from an XML representation.

Project history

The official developer documentation says fontTools was started by Just van Rossum in 1999 and maintained as an open-source project on SourceForge. In 2008, Paul Wise began helping with stability maintenance. In 2013, Behdad Esfahbod began a friendly fork, reviewing the codebase and adding features and support for new font formats.

The modern README describes fontTools as a Python library for manipulating fonts with support for TrueType, OpenType, AFM, some Type 1 and Mac-specific formats, and the TTX tool for XML round-tripping. The current documentation presents it as a family of libraries and utilities for font engineering.

Adoption history

fontTools became a core Python package in font production because it exposes both library APIs and command-line tools. The docs list utilities such as `ttx`, `pyftsubset`, `pyftmerge`, and the `fonttools` meta-tool, plus modules for OpenType Layout, UFO, variable fonts, color fonts, subsetting, feature files, and more.

The release tags show early `FontTools-1.0` and `FontTools-2.x` names alongside a long-running 4.x series. The README documents pip installation and optional extras, matching its role as both a developer dependency and a command-line package.

How it is used

Users install it with `pip install fonttools`, run `ttx` to dump and rebuild OpenType or TrueType fonts as XML, run `pyftsubset` to create smaller web or application fonts, and import modules such as `fontTools.ttLib` for programmatic font editing.

Why package nerds care

fontTools is package-nerd significant because it is the standard Swiss-army knife of Python font engineering. It shows up in build systems, webfont pipelines, variable-font workflows, distro QA, and one-off debugging because it can inspect, mutate, subset, merge, and serialize complex font formats from scripts.

Timeline

  • 1999: Just van Rossum started fontTools.
  • 2008: Paul Wise began helping with stability maintenance.
  • 2013: Behdad Esfahbod began a friendly fork adding new features and format support.
  • 2020s: The 4.x series continued active releases and broad OpenType, variable-font, and subsetting work.
  • 2026: The NEWS file records 4.63.0 with support for Apple Color Emoji `bgcl` and Incremental Font Transfer tables.

Related projects

  • fontTools is related to TTX, RoboFog-era font tooling, UFO libraries, OpenType Layout tooling, AFDKO feature workflows, variable-font build pipelines, and downstream tools that use `fontTools.ttLib`.

security posture

No protected-tool coverage found yet

No matching local secret-handling manifest was found for fonttools. Nucleus package metadata is still published here so future coverage has a stable package URL.

Install behavior

  • No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
  • Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
  • Installs with 1 runtime dependencies.

Recommended review

Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.

executables

Installed executables

CommandKindExposureNote
fonttoolscliglobal executable
pyftmergecliglobal executable
pyftsubsetcliglobal executable
ttxcliglobal executable

freshness

Version and freshness

These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.

page generated2026-07-08
manager version4.63.0
manager updated2026-05-15
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools

install metadata

Package metadata

Package keybrew:fonttools
Version4.63.0
Package managerHomebrew
Package manager pagehttps://formulae.brew.sh/formula/fonttools
Homepagehttps://github.com/fonttools/fonttools
Repositoryhttps://github.com/fonttools/fonttools
Upstream docshttps://fonttools.readthedocs.io/en/latest
LicenseMIT
Source archivehttps://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/84/69/c97f2c18e0db87d2c7b15da1974dace76ae938f1cfa22e2727a648b7ed43/fonttools-4.63.0.tar.gz
Last updated2026-05-15T16:19:17Z
Pulseupdated
Dependenciespython@3.14
Uses from macOSlibxml2, libxslt
Bottleavailable (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux)
Homebrew post-installnot defined
Servicenone declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source DatabaseHomebrew formula API
Taphomebrew/core
Full Namefonttools
Version Scheme0
Revision0
Head VersionHEAD
Bottle Stable Root URLhttps://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecatedno
Disabledno
Keg Onlyno
URL Keys
  • head
  • stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

Debian apt95%

fonttools 4.57.0-1+deb13u1

Converts OpenType and TrueType fonts to and from XML (Executables)

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools

sudo apt install fonttools
  • Section: fonts
  • Architecture: all
  • 2 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: fonttools from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

python-fonttools-doc 4.57.0-1+deb13u1

Converts OpenType and TrueType fonts to and from XML (Documentation)

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools

sudo apt install python-fonttools-doc
  • Section: doc
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 3 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: python-fonttools-doc from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

python3-fonttools 4.57.0-1+deb13u1

Converts OpenType and TrueType fonts to and from XML (Python 3 Library)

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools

sudo apt install python3-fonttools
  • Section: python
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 15 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: python3-fonttools from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Ubuntu apt95%

fonttools 4.46.0-1build2

Converts OpenType and TrueType fonts to and from XML (Executables)

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools

sudo apt install fonttools
  • Section: universe/text
  • Architecture: all
  • 2 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: fonttools from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

python-fonttools-doc 4.46.0-1build2

Converts OpenType and TrueType fonts to and from XML (Documentation)

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools

sudo apt install python-fonttools-doc
  • Section: universe/doc
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 3 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: python-fonttools-doc from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

python3-fonttools 4.46.0-1build2

Converts OpenType and TrueType fonts to and from XML (Python 3 Library)

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools

sudo apt install python3-fonttools
  • Section: universe/python
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 15 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: python3-fonttools from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
dnf95%

fonttools 4.63.0-3.fc45

Tools to manipulate font files

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/

sudo dnf install fonttools
  • License: MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 2 dependencies
  • 2 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: fonttools from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

python3-fonttools 4.63.0-3.fc45

Python 3 fonttools library

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/

sudo dnf install python3-fonttools
  • License: MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 4 dependencies
  • 5 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: python3-fonttools from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

python3-fonttools+graphite 4.63.0-3.fc45

Metapackage for python3-fonttools: graphite extras

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/

sudo dnf install python3-fonttools+graphite
  • License: MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 3 dependencies
  • 5 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: python3-fonttools+graphite from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

python3-fonttools+interpolatable 4.63.0-3.fc45

Metapackage for python3-fonttools: interpolatable extras

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/

sudo dnf install python3-fonttools+interpolatable
  • License: MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 3 dependencies
  • 5 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: python3-fonttools+interpolatable from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

python3-fonttools+lxml 4.63.0-3.fc45

Metapackage for python3-fonttools: lxml extras

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/

sudo dnf install python3-fonttools+lxml
  • License: MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 3 dependencies
  • 5 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: python3-fonttools+lxml from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

python3-fonttools+plot 4.63.0-3.fc45

Metapackage for python3-fonttools: plot extras

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/

sudo dnf install python3-fonttools+plot
  • License: MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 3 dependencies
  • 5 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: python3-fonttools+plot from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

python3-fonttools+repacker 4.63.0-3.fc45

Metapackage for python3-fonttools: repacker extras

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/

sudo dnf install python3-fonttools+repacker
  • License: MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 3 dependencies
  • 5 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: python3-fonttools+repacker from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

python3-fonttools+type1 4.63.0-3.fc45

Metapackage for python3-fonttools: type1 extras

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/

sudo dnf install python3-fonttools+type1
  • License: MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 2 dependencies
  • 5 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: python3-fonttools+type1 from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

python3-fonttools+ufo 4.63.0-3.fc45

Metapackage for python3-fonttools: ufo extras

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/

sudo dnf install python3-fonttools+ufo
  • License: MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 2 dependencies
  • 5 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: python3-fonttools+ufo from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

python3-fonttools+unicode 4.63.0-3.fc45

Metapackage for python3-fonttools: unicode extras

https://github.com/fonttools/fonttools/

sudo dnf install python3-fonttools+unicode
  • License: MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: fonttools
  • 2 dependencies
  • 5 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Fonttools
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: python3-fonttools+unicode from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst

package graph

Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

Related tools

Same workflow

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  • pymupdfShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, libraries, library, python.
  • ada-urlShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, libraries, library.
  • cgalShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, libraries, library.
  • ctemplateShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, libraries, library.
  • curlppShares av.db curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, libraries, library.

source trail

Generated from repository data

This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.

Used sources

  • Geiger risk classifier
  • Nucleus package database
  • av.db category and tag curation
  • cross-ecosystem install command graph
  • curated package history
  • external package-manager database matches
  • package relationship graph
  • package version freshness
  • package-page enrichment