Convert FON to WOFF2

Understanding FON and WOFF2 file formats

FON files are legacy Windows bitmap font files, commonly used in older Windows applications. They store font glyphs as bitmaps and are not scalable, making them less suitable for modern web or digital use.

WOFF2 (Web Open Font Format 2) is a modern, compressed font format optimized for web use. It offers better compression and performance compared to its predecessor, WOFF, and is widely supported by modern browsers for embedding custom fonts on websites.

Why convert FON to WOFF2?

Converting FON to WOFF2 allows you to use legacy bitmap fonts on modern websites, benefiting from improved compression, faster loading times, and broad browser compatibility. This is especially useful for web designers aiming to preserve the look of classic fonts in a web environment.

How to convert FON to WOFF2

Direct conversion from FON to WOFF2 is not always straightforward, as FON files are bitmap-based and WOFF2 is designed for scalable outline fonts (like TTF or OTF). The typical process involves two steps:

1. Convert FON to TTF/OTF: Use a font editor to recreate or trace the bitmap glyphs into a scalable format.
2. Convert TTF/OTF to WOFF2: Use a font conversion tool to generate the WOFF2 file.

Recommended software and tools

• FontForge: An open-source font editor that can import FON files and export them as TTF or OTF. Steps:
  File → Open (select your FON file), then File → Generate Fonts (choose TTF or OTF).
• Transfonter (https://transfonter.org/): A free online service to convert TTF/OTF to WOFF2. Upload your TTF/OTF file and select WOFF2 as the output format.
• Font Squirrel Webfont Generator (https://www.fontsquirrel.com/tools/webfont-generator): Another reliable online tool for converting TTF/OTF to WOFF2.

Step-by-step conversion process

1. Open your FON file in FontForge.
2. Export the font as TTF or OTF using File → Generate Fonts.
3. Go to Transfonter or Font Squirrel Webfont Generator.
4. Upload the TTF/OTF file and select WOFF2 as the output format.
5. Download your new WOFF2 font, ready for web use.

Tips and considerations

• Bitmap fonts may not scale well; consider manually redrawing glyphs for best results.
• Always check the font license before converting and using fonts on the web.
• Test the WOFF2 font in multiple browsers to ensure compatibility and appearance.