How to add Google Fonts and Custom Fonts to your Web App
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How to add Google Fonts and Custom Fonts to your Web App
Fonts are a core part of any web application’s design impacting everything from readability to the overall user experience. As developers, it’s essential to know how to add and manage fonts effectively. This guide will take you through two key methods: Integrating Google Fonts and adding Custom Fonts using ‘@font-face’ rule
Why Fonts Matter in Web Development
Fonts are more than just a design element. The right font can make your web app more engaging and user friendly, while the wrong one can detract from the user experience. So, let’s dig into how you can seamlessly incorporate fonts into your web projects
Adding Google Fonts
Google fonts offers a wide range of free, high quality fonts that are easy to integrate, Here’s how to do it
- Choose your font
- Go to Google Fonts
- Browse or search for the font you want
- Click on the font to see its details and available styles
- Select the styles you want to include and click on Get Font
- Embed the font
- Click on Get Embed Code button
- After selecting your font, Google Fonts gives you a couple of ways to add it to your project. Under web via a ` <link> ` tag in your HTML or by importing it through CSS, let’s see both of them
- Using ` <link> ` tag in HTML
- Copy/Paste the embed code in your HTML <head> and apply the font in your CSS file
- See the code below:
- Output :
- Using ` @import ` rule in CSS :
- Copy and Paste the import rule code under web and import option on Google Font at the top of the CSS file
- As you can see in the code below, i have added ` @import ` rule at the top of the CSS file
- Output:
Adding Custom Fonts
Sometimes, you might want to use a custom font that isn’t available on Google Fonts. The ` @font-face ` rule let’s you host and use any font you have the rights to, offering you full control over your typography
Step 1: Get the Font Files
You can find free fonts from the internet in common formats:
- .woff (Web Open Font Format)
- .woff2 (Web Open Font Format 2)
- .ttf (TrueType Font)
- .eot (Embedded OpenType)
Step 2: Define the ` @font-face ` Rule
- Font-family property is a required field which lets you name your font. You can name it whatever you want.
- src property is a required field where you need to provide the path or a URL from where the font can be downloaded
- Font-weight is used to define the boldness of your font, default is normal and we have used bold
There are more properties you can to customize your font, check here
Step 3: Apply the Font
Just like any other font, apply it exactly like this in your CSS file, see below
See output screen below:
Conclusion
Adding and managing fonts in your web apps is an essential skill for any developer. Whether you are using the convenience of Google Fonts or the control of custom fonts, these methods ensure your app looks great and performs well. With the right approach, you can create a more engaging and visually appealing user experience ensuring the consistency of the font all over your web application.
Author
Siddhant Jain
Software Developer at Dualite
FAQ's
How do I choose between Google Fonts and custom fonts?
If you need a quick and easy solution with a wide selection, Google Fonts is a great choice. If you have a specific brand font or need a font not available on Google Fonts, go for a custom font using the @font-face rule.
Can I use both Google Fonts and custom fonts in the same project?
Absolutely! You can mix Google Fonts and custom fonts within the same project. Just make sure to define each font properly in your CSS.
The @font-face rule gives you complete control over the fonts you use, allowing you to host fonts locally, use any format, and even specify fallback options. It’s ideal for unique or brand-specific fonts.
Ideally, use .woff or .woff2 formats for modern browsers, and include fallback formats like .ttf or .eot for older browsers. This ensures compatibility across all devices.
Yes, always check the licensing terms for any font you use, especially custom fonts. Google Fonts are free for commercial use, but custom fonts may have restrictions.
