{"id":25933,"date":"2023-12-18T11:53:56","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T08:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/typetype.org\/fr\/?p=25933"},"modified":"2026-05-15T10:17:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T07:17:13","slug":"font-and-typeface-what-s-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/typetype.org\/fr\/blog\/font-and-typeface-what-s-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Font and Typeface: What’s the difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Font<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Introduction <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The words \u00ab\u00a0font\u00a0\u00bb and \u00ab\u00a0typeface\u00a0\u00bb are often considered synonyms. This happens not only due to lack of understanding\u2014even among professionals, the term \u00ab\u00a0font\u00a0\u00bb is used to substitute both \u00ab\u00a0typeface\u00a0\u00bb and \u00ab\u00a0font style.\u00a0\u00bb The absence of commonly accepted terminology worsens the situation because all font designers rely on different interpretations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will describe the distinctions between fonts and typefaces and discuss the importance of distinguishing between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Font vs typeface: Going deeper into terminology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Font is a set of characters, encompassing letters, numbers, punctuation, and diverse symbols utilized for setting the text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to this broad definition, the meaning of the term \u201cfont\u201d can be understood as both:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. A collection of symbols or typographical letters (made of metal or digital) needed for typesetting;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. A character set with a shared stylistic identity and design.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"Font<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The term \u201ctypeface\u201d found its place in typography in the early 1900s when the first \u201cextended\u201d font families emerged, designed by Morris Fuller Benton for the American Type Founders (ATF) studio. These font families included fonts with varying styles (widths and weights) yet united by a shared aesthetic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Font<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    In modern typefaces, fonts can even vary in aesthetics, bound by artistic vision alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What is a font?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    So, a font is what we can find inside a typeface or a type family. However, in typography, the word \u00ab\u00a0font\u00a0\u00bb is often used to signify both a typeface itself and an individual font style. A font style is a font’s particular weight and slope degree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, when we say that TT Norms\u00ae Pro<\/a> is a font with the most extensive language support among other fonts in the TypeType collection, we are actually talking about the TT Norms\u00ae Pro typeface. And if we suggest using the font TT Livret Text Regular<\/a> as the most optimal choice for typing sizeable text blocks, we are referring to the specific font style. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Consequently, it’s possible to understand the meaning depending on the context. Yet, to make sense of the difference between fonts and typefaces, we recommend leaning on the following definition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A font is a full set of symbols and glyphs united by style and used for text typing. Meaning it’s the file itself, a font carrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    What kinds of fonts (font styles) exist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Regarding font classification, the subject in most cases is typefaces. That’s why we will define the term \u00ab\u00a0typeface\u00a0\u00bb and cover the classifications later in the article. For now, let’s start small and unravel the different kinds of font styles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A font style is a font’s particular weight. In their turn, they can vary in slope degree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One font may include roman and italic (slanted) font styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The varying font weights can be subdivided into three categories: thin, regular, and bold. The most popular and frequently used font styles are Thin, Regular, DemiBold, and Bold. Different studios can extend the font style set as they see it. For instance, it’s quite common to come across fonts featuring the Hairline font style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Fonts with various font styles are grouped into type families (typefaces). Let’s delve into what they are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What is a typeface\/type family?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    To begin with, we should distinguish between the terms \u00ab\u00a0type family\u00a0\u00bb and \u00ab\u00a0typeface\u00a0\u00bb, although they have similar meanings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A type family (or a font family) is a system comprising variations of the primary design (font styles). They are united by the name and idea. At the same time, fonts inside one type family may differ in purpose, personality, and style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The term \u00ab\u00a0typeface\u00a0\u00bb can also refer to both an entire type family and only a part of it\u2014this term is used as a synonym for \u00ab\u00a0type family.\u00a0\u00bb <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, this term has another definition as well. According to the Google Fonts dictionary, typeface is the core visual design and idea that can be implemented through various typesetting technologies, and font is one of these implementations. In other words, a typeface is what you see, and a font is what you use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In this sense, let’s reiterate that when we talk about font classification, we specifically refer to typefaces. Let’s find out more about them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What types of typefaces are there?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There is no standard classification of fonts or typefaces. At this point, we won’t dive deeper into this topic. Instead, we will cover the basics so you can better understand the difference between fonts and typefaces. If you want to learn more about type classifications, we recommend reading our article<\/a> about them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The most common typeface styles are sans serifs<\/a> (grotesques), serifs<\/a> (antiquas), slab serifs<\/a>, and script<\/a> typefaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n