In Mac OS X, how do I install fonts?
In Mac OS X, you have two options for installing fonts: you can make them available only to your own account, or you can make them available to all users on the computer. In either case, you should ensure that you have already expanded any compressed fonts packages before following the instructions below.
Using either of these options, you may install fonts at any time without restarting your computer, but they may not be available in running applications until the applications are closed and reopened.
Mac OS X 10.3.x and later
To install fonts in Mac OS 10.3.x and later, follow the instructions below:
- Locate the font file you wish to install, and double-click the
icon. The Font Book will open and display the font so you can see what
it looks like.
- Click
Install Font.
- By default, the application installs the font in the
Libraryfolder of your home directory, making it available only to you. To make it available to all users on the computer, in the Font Book application, drag the font to theComputerfolder in the "Collection" column.Note: If the
Computerfolder is not visible, first click the triangle next toAll Fontsin the "Collection" column.
Mac OS X 10.2.x and earlier
To install fonts in Mac OS 10.2.x and earlier, follow the instructions below:
- In the Finder, from the
Gomenu, selectHome.
- Double-click the
Libraryfolder.
- Drag the font or fonts you want to install into the
Fontsfolder.
If you would like to make the font or fonts available to all users on the computer, log into an administrator account, then follow these steps:
- In the Finder, from the
Gomenu, selectGo to Folder....
- In the "Go to the Folder:" field, type:
/Library/. Then click theGobutton.
- Drag the font or fonts you want to install into the
Fontsfolder.
Also see:
- In Mac OS, how can I type foreign language characters?
- In Mac OS, what are the differences between PostScript Type 1 and TrueType fonts?
- In the Terminal in Mac OS X, how do I change the character size and font?
- In Mac OS X, how can I type foreign language characters?
Last modified on October 10, 2005.






