Where to find and install fonts on Windows and Mac
Adding a font to your computer means downloading a font file and telling your operating system where to find it. Once installed, the font appears in every program that uses text — design software, word processors, email clients, everything. The process is different on Windows and Mac, but both take about five minutes.
On Windows, fonts live in a single folder that all programs check automatically. On Mac, fonts go into your Library folder, and the system makes them available the same way. You do not need to install fonts separately in Photoshop, Illustrator, or any other program — installing them on your computer is enough.
The font files themselves come as downloads, usually as .ttf (TrueType) or .otf (OpenType) files. Some websites bundle multiple fonts into a .zip folder, which you unzip first before installing.
Key Takeaways
- Download a font file (.ttf or .otf) from a font website, then move or copy it into your system's font folder to install it permanently.
- On Windows, paste font files into C:\Windows\Fonts; on Mac, paste them into Library > Fonts in your home folder.
- After installation, restart your design program or refresh the font list to see the new font in the menu.
- Free font sites like Google Fonts, DaFont, and Font Squirrel offer thousands of fonts you can download without payment or account setup.
- If a font does not appear after installation, check that the file extension is .ttf or .otf and that you placed it in the correct system folder.
Installing fonts on Windows
On Windows, open File Explorer and navigate to your Downloads folder or wherever you saved the font file. The file will have a name like "Roboto-Bold.ttf" or "Playfair-Display.otf". Right-click the font file and select Install from the menu. Windows copies the file to C:\Windows\Fonts automatically and registers it with your system.
If you downloaded multiple fonts in a .zip file, unzip the folder first. Then select all the font files inside (Ctrl+A), right-click, and choose Install. Windows installs them all at once.
After installation, close and reopen your design program. The new font will appear in the font menu. If you do not see it, restart your computer — some programs cache the font list when they start up.
Installing fonts on Mac
On Mac, open Finder and navigate to your Downloads folder. Find the font file (.ttf or .otf). Double-click it, and the Font Book application opens automatically. Click the Install Font button in the window that appears. Font Book copies the file to your Library > Fonts folder and registers it with the system.
If you have multiple fonts in a .zip file, unzip it first. Then select all the font files, and double-click any one of them. Font Book opens and shows all selected fonts. Click Install Font once, and Mac installs all of them together.
Close and reopen your design program to see the new fonts in the menu. Unlike Windows, Mac usually does not require a restart, but restarting the program itself is necessary.
Where to download fonts
Google Fonts (fonts.google.com) offers thousands of free fonts with no account required. Click any font, then click the download arrow icon. The file downloads as a .zip folder containing the font file. Unzip it and install as described above.
DaFont (dafont.com) has a huge collection of decorative and display fonts. Click a font name, then click the download button. Save the .zip file, unzip it, and install the .ttf file inside.
Font Squirrel (fontsquirrel.com) curates high-quality free fonts and guarantees they are safe to use commercially. Click a font, then click Download @font-face Kit or Download OTF. Unzip if needed and install the .ttf or .otf file.
Adobe Fonts (fonts.adobe.com) requires an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, but fonts sync automatically to your computer and appear in Photoshop, Illustrator, and other Adobe programs without manual installation.
Troubleshooting fonts that do not appear
If you installed a font but it does not show up in your program, first check that the file is actually a font. Font files end in .ttf, .otf, or sometimes .woff. If the file ends in .zip or .rar, you need to unzip it first — the actual font file is inside the compressed folder.
On Windows, open Settings > Personalization > Fonts and scroll down. You should see your newly installed font listed there. If it is not listed, the installation did not work. Try right-clicking the font file again and selecting Install. If that fails, try dragging the font file directly into C:\Windows\Fonts using File Explorer.
On Mac, open Font Book (Applications > Font Book) and search for your font by name. If it appears there but not in your design program, try removing it and reinstalling. Click the font in Font Book, then press Delete, and reinstall it by double-clicking the original file.
If a font installs but looks wrong or broken in your program, the file may be corrupted. Download it again from the original source and reinstall.
Managing fonts and keeping your system clean
Over time, you may install dozens or hundreds of fonts. Too many fonts can slow down your programs slightly, especially when opening the font menu. You do not need to keep every font you ever download.
On Windows, open C:\Windows\Fonts, right-click any font you no longer use, and select Delete. The font is removed from your system and no longer appears in any program.
On Mac, open Font Book, find the font you want to remove, and click it. Press Delete or right-click and select Remove Font. The font is uninstalled and removed from your Library folder.
If you want to keep a font but temporarily disable it, Mac's Font Book lets you uncheck a font without deleting it. Select the font and click the checkbox next to its name to toggle it on or off. Windows does not have this feature — you must delete and reinstall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fonts I download for commercial work?
It depends on the font's license. Most free fonts from Google Fonts and Font Squirrel allow commercial use. DaFont fonts vary — check the license listed on each font's page before using it for client work or selling a design. Paid fonts from foundries like Adobe Fonts and MyFonts always allow commercial use with a subscription or purchase.
What is the difference between .ttf and .otf fonts?
.ttf (TrueType) and .otf (OpenType) are both standard font formats that work the same way in design programs. OpenType is slightly newer and can contain more advanced features, but for most design work they are interchangeable. Install whichever format the font comes in.
Do I need to install fonts in Photoshop or Illustrator separately?
No. Once you install a font on your computer using Windows Fonts or Mac Font Book, it appears automatically in Photoshop, Illustrator, and every other program. You do not install fonts inside individual programs.
Why does a font look different in my design program than it did on the website?
Websites sometimes display fonts differently than they appear in your programs, especially if the website uses a web-only version of the font. Download the desktop version from the font source, install it, and it should match. Also check that you installed the correct weight — Bold, Regular, and Light are separate files.
Can I install fonts on a Mac and use them on Windows?
No. Fonts installed in Mac's Library folder are not accessible to Windows. If you use both systems, install the font on each one separately. Download the same font file and install it using the Windows or Mac method depending on which computer you are using.