How to download and install new fonts on a Mac computer

typing at computer woman laptop working

You can download new fonts on your Mac computer to give apps a little something extra.
Your Font Book is where all of your Mac's fonts are housed, and it's where you'll add, delete, or disable fonts.
You may choose to use an external site, like Da Font, to source your new fonts.
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Sometimes you want a little something extra when it comes to the look of the things you write within any given app on your Mac computer. Installing a new font can do the trick, and it's a relatively simple process.

Your Mac's fonts are all housed in the Font Book, which you can find in your Applications folder. You can either add a font directly into it (in addition to deleting or disabling unwanted fonts), or you can use a site like Da Font to download one of their free fonts into your collection.

Here's how to install a new font onto your Mac using either method:

Installing new fonts on your Mac using Font Book

Before you install any fonts, you need to download them. Some are already available for downloading within the Font Book app. You can download other font files from websites like Da Font (which we talk about more below), FontSquirrel, and more.

Once you've downloaded a font file:

1. Double click a font you've downloaded in your Finder — this will prompt a new preview window to open.

2. Click "Install font."

Your Mac will then validate the font, and if successful, it will be installed to your Font Book. Then you'll be able to use that font with any of your apps.

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If you want to go back and check which fonts you have access to, or make them available to other user accounts on your computer, you'll need to go back into the Font Book. You can get there via your launchpad, which is located in the apps bar at the bottom of your screen.

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