Here is how to add fonts to Photoshop: install the font on your computer (right-click and Install on Windows, double-click and Install Font on Mac), then restart Photoshop and pick the font from the Type tool’s font menu. Photoshop does not have its own font folder. It uses the fonts your operating system provides, plus fonts you activate through Adobe Fonts if you have a Creative Cloud subscription. This guide covers both routes and what to do when a font is missing.
Two ways Photoshop gets fonts
| Route | Best for | Needs |
|---|---|---|
| Install a font file on your computer | Fonts you downloaded, bought, or were given by a client | A TTF or OTF file and a license that covers your use |
| Activate from Adobe Fonts | Fast access to a large licensed library with no files to manage | An active Creative Cloud plan and an internet connection |
Install a font file on Windows
- Unzip the download. Photoshop cannot use fonts inside a compressed folder.
- Right-click the .ttf or .otf file and choose Install (or Install for all users if you have administrator rights).
- Close Photoshop if it is open, then reopen it.
You can select several font files at once and install them together, which is the easiest way to add a full family with all its weights.
Install a font file on Mac
- Double-click the unzipped font file to open it in Font Book.
- Click Install Font.
- Quit Photoshop (Command+Q), then reopen it.
Font Book validates the font as it installs it, which can catch broken files before they cause trouble in a layout.
Use the font in Photoshop
- Select the Type tool (press T).
- In the options bar at the top, open the font family dropdown, and type the family name to jump to it.
- Choose a style such as Regular or Bold in the second dropdown.
- Click the canvas and type. You can also adjust the font in the Character panel, available from the Window menu.
The font menu can show a preview of each font. To change how large the previews are, open Photoshop’s preferences (Edit > Preferences > Type on Windows, Photoshop > Settings > Type on Mac) and change the Font Preview Size. Some versions also let you mark fonts with a star as favorites, and filter the list by type such as serif or sans-serif.
Add fonts from Adobe Fonts
If you have a Creative Cloud subscription, Adobe Fonts is included. You can activate families, and they then appear in Photoshop and other Adobe apps. Adobe Fonts states its own licensing terms, including use in commercial projects, so check them on the site if you are using fonts for client work.
- Open fonts.adobe.com while signed in, or use the Type menu in Photoshop to browse Adobe Fonts. The exact menu label has changed between versions, so look for an option about Adobe Fonts.
- Find a family and turn on Activate fonts (a toggle on the family page).
- Return to Photoshop. The font should appear in the list shortly, and Adobe fonts carry a cloud icon. If you do not see it, restart Photoshop.
Activated fonts are tied to your account and are limited by your plan. Deactivate ones you stop using so your list stays tidy. You can also manage your active fonts in the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app.
Supported font types
- TrueType and OpenType (TTF, OTF): Fully supported and the safest choice.
- Variable fonts: Supported in current versions. Adjust weight and width with the sliders in the Properties panel.
- OpenType SVG (color) fonts: Supported, which is useful for emoji and multi-color lettering.
- PostScript Type 1: No longer supported. Adobe ended support in January 2023, so convert old Type 1 fonts to OpenType, or use a replacement.
- WOFF and WOFF2: Web formats. Download the desktop version of the font.
Tips once the font is installed
- Install the whole family. Regular, Italic, Bold, and Bold Italic should be separate files. If you install only one, Photoshop’s faux bold and faux italic buttons produce distorted letters.
- Set type at the right size. Point size depends on the document’s resolution. A 12-point line in a 72 ppi web graphic looks very different from 12 points at 300 ppi for print.
- Check the license for your use. Print, web, and logos are sometimes licensed separately. Fonts released under the SIL Open Font License, such as most Google Fonts, allow commercial use.
- Know the difference from other tools. Canva works differently, because it needs fonts uploaded to a Brand Kit rather than installed (see how to upload a font to Canva).
- Keep type live as long as possible. Editable text lets you change fonts later. Rasterize only at the end.
Missing font warnings
When you open a PSD that uses a font you do not have, Photoshop warns about missing fonts and swaps in a substitute. The text layers remain editable, but their appearance changes. You have three options.
- Get the font. Install it or activate it from Adobe Fonts, then reopen the file. This is the best fix.
- Replace it. Choose Type > Replace All Missing Fonts, then choose a different font on each layer.
- Ask the sender. If a client or colleague made the file, request the font, if its license allows sharing. If you do not know what it is called, our guide to finding a font from an image can help you identify it from a screenshot.
Fix common problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Installed font is not in the list | Photoshop was open during the install | Quit and reopen Photoshop |
| Font still missing after a restart | File not unzipped, or the install failed | Check the font exists in Font Book or Windows Settings > Personalization > Fonts; try Install for all users |
| Font exists but looks wrong | Wrong style file, or missing glyphs | Choose another weight, or test the font in another app |
| Adobe font will not activate | No internet, or plan limits | Check your connection and your Creative Cloud sign-in |
| Old font disappeared | Type 1 format | Convert to OpenType or replace it |
Delivering a file with custom fonts
A PSD does not embed fonts. If someone else needs to edit your text, send them the font file (license permitting) or tell them which family to get. If they only need to see the final design, export a PNG, JPG, or PDF, or convert text to shapes with Type > Convert to Shape. Converted text can no longer be edited as type, so keep an editable copy. For poster and thumbnail work, browse headline fonts and vintage fonts for styles worth installing, and read the license before using a font in anything you sell.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to restart Photoshop after installing a font?
Usually yes. Photoshop reads the system font list when it starts, so a font installed while it is open often does not appear until you quit and reopen it. Adobe Fonts activations can show up without a restart, though restarting is the safe fix if they do not.
Can Photoshop use Type 1 (PostScript) fonts?
Not any more. Adobe ended support for PostScript Type 1 fonts across its apps in January 2023. Convert the font to OpenType or use a TrueType or OpenType version instead.
Where can I find Adobe Fonts in Photoshop?
Adobe Fonts is included with a Creative Cloud subscription. Activate a family on the Adobe Fonts website or from the Type menu and the font menu in Photoshop, and it then appears in the font list with a cloud indicator.
What happens to my fonts when I send a PSD to someone else?
The PSD stores font names, not the fonts. Without the same font, Photoshop warns about missing fonts and substitutes another. Send the font if the license allows it, or convert the text to shapes or rasterize it for final delivery.
Are variable fonts supported in Photoshop?
Yes, in current versions. After choosing a variable font, use the sliders in the Properties panel to adjust axes such as weight and width.
