Font Licensing Guide

A font is software and a creative work, so its use is governed by a license. “Free to download” does not automatically mean “free for any use”.

Common licenses

• SIL Open Font License (OFL). Free to use, including commercially, in print, apps and on the web. You may share and modify the font, but you may not sell it on its own.
• Apache License 2.0. Permits commercial use and redistribution provided the license and notices stay with the font.
• Personal use only. Fine for hobby projects. Any commercial use needs a paid license from the designer.
• Custom license. Read the license file stored with the font.

Before you use a font commercially

1. Open the font page and read the License section.
2. Download the license file shown there and keep it with your project records.
3. When in doubt, contact the designer through the source link on the font page.

Fonts1 shows what we have verified about each license but this guide is general information, not legal advice.