Learn · Fonts
Font Licensing Checklist Before Web Use
Converting a font file is technical. Publishing it is a licensing decision. Check the license before putting converted WOFF or WOFF2 files on a website.
Confirm web embedding rights
A desktop license may allow use in design software but not web embedding. Look for language about webfont use, pageviews, domains, seats, or self-hosting. If the license is unclear, ask the vendor before publishing.
Keep source and license together
Store the original font, converted files, CSS, and license receipt in the same project folder. This makes future updates easier and avoids guessing which license covered the live font.
Do not convert client fonts blindly
If a client sends a font, confirm that their license covers your intended web use. A converted file is still governed by the original font license.
Subset and hosting limits
Some licenses restrict modification, subsetting, redistribution, or CDN hosting. Check those terms before changing font files or publishing them from a public asset path.
Preview first
Use Font Preview before converting a font for delivery.
Convert after approval
Use Font to Webfont once the license is clear.
Before you ship webfonts
A font file can convert successfully and still be wrong for a website if the license, character coverage, weight selection, or CSS loading strategy is not ready. Test headings, body copy, numbers, and accented characters before publishing.
Treat conversion as one part of the webfont job. The final setup also needs correct file paths, fallback fonts, caching, and a font-display choice that matches the site. If the font is only used for headings, avoid shipping unnecessary weights that slow down every page.
- Confirm the license allows web use.
- Ship only the weights and styles the site needs.
- Use CSS with sensible fallback fonts and a clear font-display choice.
After downloading the result, open it once before using it in a client send, upload form, website, or archive. This final check catches format support issues, unexpected file size changes, missing characters, clipped media, or page-order mistakes while the original file is still available.
If the output will be reused, note the settings that produced it. That makes the next export easier to repeat and reduces guesswork when another file needs the same treatment.