NOTE: This is an updated follow-up for this older article
Installing fonts on your Mac is quick and simple, whether you’re a designer, student, or just someone who wants to personalize their workspace. macOS includes Font Book, a built-in app that makes managing fonts easy. Follow this guide to add new fonts to your system.
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1. Download Your Font Files
Fonts usually come in .ttf (TrueType) or .otf (OpenType) formats. Both are fully supported on Mac OS X.
Download fonts from trusted sources like Kreativ Font, Creative Market, or MyFonts.
If the font is in a .zip archive, Safari will automatically extract it into your Downloads folder. Otherwise, right-click and choose “Open With → Archive Utility.”
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2. Close Applications Before Installing
Some apps (like Word, Photoshop, or Illustrator) need to be restarted before new fonts appear in their font menus. To avoid issues, close all running applications before installing.
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3. Install Fonts Using Font Book (Recommended)
Double-click the font file (.ttf or .otf).
A preview window will open in Font Book.
Click Install Font.
The font will now appear in your font list across all applications.
Tip: You can also drag and drop font files directly into Font Book.
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4. Manual Installation (Advanced Users)
You can also manually install fonts by moving them into system folders:
For all users: /Library/Fonts/
For a single user: /Users/Your_Username/Library/Fonts/
This is useful for managing large font collections.
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5. Older Mac Systems (Legacy Support)
Mac OS X 10.3 and above: Fully supports .ttf and .otf fonts.
Mac OS 9 or earlier: These versions don’t support modern fonts directly. You’d need to convert files, but most designers should avoid OS 9 since it’s obsolete.
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6. Supported Font Formats on Mac OS
TrueType (.ttf)
OpenType (.otf)
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Final Tips
Use Font Book’s “Validate Fonts” feature to check for corrupt or duplicate fonts.
Organize fonts into collections (e.g., “Work,” “Personal,” “Design Projects”).
Pair new fonts with professional font bundles to save time and get consistent designs.
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Installing fonts on Mac is easy with Font Book or manual installation. With just a few clicks, you’ll have access to endless creative possibilities.
Explore our Kreativ Font Library to find unique typefaces for your projects.