OTF - OpenType Font
Advanced font format developed by Microsoft and Adobe, extending TrueType with support for PostScript outlines and sophisticated typography features.
How to convert OTF to WOFF2
To use an OpenType font on a website, add the OTF file to the font converter and select WOFF2. The conversion begins automatically. You can download ready files individually or collect the selected formats in a ZIP.
WOFF2 is a web delivery format; changing the container does not grant web embedding rights. Keep the font's license with your project and test the result in your browser. See the WOFF2 guide for web font usage.
How to convert OTF to TTF
Use TTF when an application specifically needs TrueType output. In the converter, add the OTF file and select TTF. The server is selected automatically for this conversion. This conversion uploads the font for processing. A download appears when the file is ready.
Many applications already accept OTF, so conversion may be unnecessary. Outline conversion can affect hinting and advanced features; compare the converted font in the application where you will use it. Learn more about TrueType fonts.
Quick Facts
- File Extension
- .otf
- MIME Type
- font/otf, application/vnd.ms-opentype
- Developed By
- Microsoft & Adobe
- Released
- 1996 (OpenType 1.0)
- Type
- Vector outline font (TrueType or PostScript)
- Platform Support
- Universal (modern systems)
Overview
OpenType is a scalable font format initially developed by Microsoft, later joined by Adobe. It extends the TrueType specification with support for PostScript font outlines (CFF - Compact Font Format) and advanced typographic features through the GSUB and GPOS tables.
OTF fonts can contain either TrueType outlines (quadratic Bézier curves) or PostScript outlines (cubic Bézier curves, also called CFF). The PostScript-flavored variant (.otf) is preferred by typographers for professional work due to more precise outline control and smaller file sizes for complex glyphs.
OpenType's advanced features include contextual alternates, ligatures, stylistic sets, small capitals, old-style figures, and extensive multilingual support. These features have made OTF the format of choice for professional typography and high-quality typeface design.
Technical Specifications
- Outline Type: TrueType (quadratic) or PostScript CFF (cubic Bézier curves)
- Advanced Typography: GSUB (substitution), GPOS (positioning) tables
- Features: Ligatures, contextual alternates, stylistic sets, small caps, swashes
- Unicode Support: Full Unicode coverage with comprehensive character mapping
- Variable Fonts: Supports font variations (weight, width, slant, etc.)
- Color Fonts: Supports COLR/CPAL and SVG color glyphs
Browser & Platform Support
Excellent support across all modern browsers and operating systems. Advanced OpenType features may require application support.
Common Use Cases
Recommended For
- • Professional typography and publishing
- • Multilingual and complex script support
- • High-quality typeface design
- • Advanced typographic features (ligatures, alternates)
- • Variable fonts with design axes
- • Color fonts and emoji
Consider Alternatives For
- • Maximum backward compatibility (use TTF)
- • Web delivery (convert to WOFF2)
- • Very old software/systems
Conversion Options
Convert OTF files to these formats:
Advantages & Limitations
Advantages
- • Advanced typography features (ligatures, alternates)
- • Supports both TrueType and PostScript outlines
- • Excellent multilingual and complex script support
- • Variable font capabilities
- • Color font support
- • Smaller file sizes with CFF outlines
Limitations
- • Advanced features require application support
- • Slightly less universal than TTF on very old systems
- • Larger than WOFF/WOFF2 for web delivery
- • Some features not supported in all contexts