I have always been a fonts hoarder. I have over 1000 fonts on my computer, and I add more each week! I love the way that choosing just the right font can completely change the feeling of the text, and really drive your point across.
I work on computers all day; between my “day job” and my graphic design business, I spend hours upon hours looking at fonts, downloading and installing them each week. I love sharing my favorites with you, but I realized that you probably don’t spend your life at a computer like I do, and maybe you don’t know how to download those fonts once I share them with you!
I promise, it’s not hard to do!
First you need to choose your fonts. My favorite site for free fonts is dafont.com. There are so many fonts to choose from, it can get overwhelming, but they have lots of categories to help you narrow it down.
Once you’ve selected your font, click the DOWNLOAD button.
Depending on your computer (I have Windows 7), you will need to find the folder the font downloaded to, whatever your default download folder is. Mine will automatically pop up once the file has been downloaded.
Because the files are large, they are downloaded in “zipped” (or compressed) files, and the font file needs to be extracted. (Sounds painful but I assure you it is not!)
In Windows 7, you will see a button at the top of the folder that says “Extract all files.” Alternately, you can right click on the file and select “Extract all.”
Once extracted, another file folder will pop up. At this point, you’re almost finished!
Right click on the font and select “Install.”
And you’re done! You can now use your free fonts to pretty up your pictures, flyers, and more.
Another method would be to “drag and drop” once the files are extracted. You would need to find your fonts folder, by opening up the control panel (start menu > control panel > fonts). Once both folders are open you can drag the font file to the font folder.
Have a MAC? Beth from home Stories A2Z showed us how to install fonts on your MAC here.
Hi! I’m Kristin, the creative mind behind Yellow Bliss Road where you will be inspired by tons of easy to follow recipes, lots of free printables, and a little sprinkling of life thrown in for good measure.
Jada says
March 23, 2016 at 9:55 amI have Windows 8. When I press the Install button I am not finding where to retrieve the installation. Maybe I am not waiting long enough? Or misunderstanding how to apply these fonts to Google Docs, etc.?
I assumed once I pressed install the fonts would save directly into the folder I created where I extracted the font files. I hope this makes sense.
Ramona says
January 16, 2017 at 6:58 pmI have downloaded them but don’t understand how to get to the to use them.
Anita says
December 13, 2015 at 7:47 amThank’s so much for sharing, I just love the fonts you share and this how to is great!
Courtney says
October 21, 2015 at 6:35 amCan these only be used in publisher? I don’t have that on my computer and wanted to use them in a Word document, but I can’t find the font to use anywhere. Help! Thank you!
Kristin says
October 21, 2015 at 10:33 amOnce the fonts are properly installed on your computer you can use any publishing program, like Publisher, Word or Photoshop.
Susan says
August 15, 2016 at 5:04 amWhat about all the decorative elements are they used only in a certain program ( swooshes, swirls etc)?
Kristin says
August 15, 2016 at 9:52 amThose are typically fonts as well. Sometimes graphics, but usually fonts.
Teresa says
September 2, 2015 at 1:36 pmI followed the directions to download and install the fonts, but I’m unable to extract. I see the extract tab on top but it won’t allow to select. BTW, I have windows 8.
Kristin says
September 2, 2015 at 4:14 pmHi Teresa, sorry you’re having trouble. I also have Windows 8. When I download the font, I open the folder and the extract tab is there and I can click it. I haven’t had any trouble with this. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
lniebauer says
August 17, 2015 at 7:48 amI followed the directions to download and install the fonts, but they are not showing up in Microsoft office. They show up in Microsoft Publisher. Any way to get them in office?
Kristi says
January 14, 2015 at 2:34 pmAfter I select the downloaded font it doesn’t show an option to extract the zipped file. What now? I have Windows Vista…maybe that’s the problem?
Leslie Elli says
September 25, 2014 at 7:55 amCould you tell me if I can then delete the “zip file” once I have installed the font? Or should I get an external drive and just save it to that? Or does it need to stay on the computer in order to use the font. I am sorry – a little technologically deprived!
Kristin says
September 25, 2014 at 11:16 amYes you can delete the zip file. Once it’s installed you don’t need both.
Christine says
May 11, 2014 at 7:46 amThank you so much for your information on downloading fonts. I went to a site you mentioned and used some for home made mother’s day cards. I never knew how to find all these great fonts. Thanks for taking the time from your busy life to share all your fun information with the rest of us!
Christine
Charli Dooley says
September 6, 2013 at 10:43 pmI am so excited about using these fonts! I’d like to use one of them on my blog but i’m having a hard time. How do I upload fonts from my computer onto blogger?? Do you know? Any help would be awesome. Thank you!
Charli
Molly Layde says
August 21, 2013 at 5:13 pmThank you so much!! I just found your font combos and instantly fell in love, and this post made downloading them super quick & easy. Major props!
Anonymous says
August 9, 2013 at 1:49 pmThank you!!
Niki Whittle says
June 26, 2013 at 8:14 amThanks you for sharing this. I want to download fonts but I’m soooooooo nervous about doing it as I had a really bad experience a few months back – I downloaded a font and my computer got the most horrible virus!!! It was out of action for three weeks and took so much time and effort to get rid of it 🙁 Any advice on avoiding this in this future?
Laura Bakka says
May 19, 2013 at 10:57 pmThank you so much for the explinaton on how to download! I was so sad that it wasnt working. I never had to “extract all files” before so thank you thank you thank you! Your work and ideas are amazing!!
Anonymous says
May 19, 2013 at 5:57 pmIs there a way to import these fonts into word or publisher?
Abigail Cappel says
May 7, 2013 at 10:59 amThanks for posting this. Though I’ve known how to install my own fonts for years (sadly a decade probably) I needed a tutorial for my blog. I’m going to add your link to my favorite fonts that I have listed on my blog. Thanks again!
Abbi @ Seasons of a Homemaker
Anonymous says
April 17, 2013 at 12:24 amHi could you help me.. I would like to know how I desinstall a font from my computer…
tks in advance
Anonymous says
March 19, 2013 at 5:06 pmThank you, thank you, thank you! I could never figure out how to do this ~ love the fonts!
thegirlwhoharnessedthewind says
March 12, 2013 at 12:18 amMarcy, you might try Nexus Font Manager. Here’s the link: http://www.xiles.net/nexusfont/
Jennifer says
February 26, 2013 at 4:10 amOMG I am SO glad you posted on this. I have never figured out how to get them to load on my computer! (yes, I know, I’m a dork) but anyways, this was good information. Thank you!
Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos
Vickie says
February 25, 2013 at 3:53 pmDo you have advice on how others can see those fonts…especially if they don’t have them on their computer?
Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says
February 25, 2013 at 4:59 pmI’m not sure what you mean…could you expand a little more?
Marcy says
February 24, 2013 at 8:25 pmI’m wondering if you have a system for remembering what fonts you have and what they are called. I have a lot of fonts also and sometimes have trouble finding the one I want to use.
Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says
February 25, 2013 at 5:00 pmUnfortunately, I don’t! I would love to put together a notebook so I can easily reference them, but I just haven’t gotten around to that yet.
S. @ The Captivating Life says
February 24, 2013 at 6:43 pmThis was a helpful post – thanks! I have a feeling I’m going to be spending some time looking at fonts now…
Christine at First Home Love Life says
February 24, 2013 at 5:02 pmAhhh never mind…just read the rest! Heading to Homestories now! Thanks Kristin! XO
Christine at First Home Love Life says
February 24, 2013 at 5:01 pmDo you know if this would be a similar process for a Mac? I seem to always ‘lose’ my downloaded fonts! Not sure where they go, but I can never use them, but this is such a great tutorial for PC users! Pinning now 🙂