Learn · Fonts

WOFF2 vs WOFF Font Formats

WOFF2 is usually the best default for modern websites. WOFF remains useful when a project needs a broader fallback or a legacy support plan.

Updated July 15, 2026 By Andrei Olaru Reviewed for browser-tool accuracy

Choose WOFF2 first

WOFF2 usually compresses better than WOFF, which means smaller font files and faster loading. For most current websites, WOFF2 is the format to generate and test first.

Keep WOFF when you need fallback coverage

Some older environments may still need WOFF. If the project has strict browser-support requirements, include both formats in the CSS and test the page in the target browsers.

Do not ship every font file

More files mean more requests and more decisions for the browser. Ship the weights and styles the design actually uses. Avoid bundling every variant just because it exists.

Test with real text

After conversion, preview headings, numbers, punctuation, accented characters, and brand names. A font can convert successfully but still be missing characters your page needs.

Convert formats

Open Font to Webfont to export WOFF2 or WOFF.

Generate CSS

Use Font CSS Generator once filenames are final.

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.

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.