UFO - Unified Font Object
Open XML-based source format for font development. Human-readable directory structure ideal for version control and collaboration.
Quick Facts
- File Extension
- .ufo
- Category
- SOURCE FORMAT
Overview
UFO (Unified Font Object) is an open, human-readable XML-based format for storing font source data. Developed by type designers for type designers, UFO stores all aspects of a font including glyphs, metrics, kerning, and metadata in a structured directory format.
UFO has become the de facto standard for interchange between font editing tools like RoboFont, Glyphs, and FontForge. Its plain-text XML format makes it ideal for version control systems like Git, enabling better collaboration in font design projects.
UFO is a source format, not meant for end-user font delivery. Fonts must be compiled to TTF, OTF, or web formats for distribution.
Common Use Cases
Recommended For
- • Font design and development
- • Version control and collaboration
- • Interchange between font editors
- • Font build pipelines and automation
- • Preserving full editing capabilities
Consider Alternatives For
- • End-user font distribution (compile to TTF/OTF first)
- • Web fonts (build to WOFF2/WOFF)
- • Direct system installation
Using this format
UFO directory uploads are not currently supported. Export a TTF or OTF file from your font editor, then upload that file to create web fonts.
Explore supported font formats →