Font vs.Typeface

FONT vs. TYPEFACE

The words font and “typeface” are used interchangeably. In today’s world it isn’t wrong to say font or typeface.” But design purists will usually say typeface.

Helvetica⁣“Helvetica” is a typeface. A “typeface” is a unique style of designed letters.⁣

Garamond⁣“Garamond” is also a typeface.⁣

A “font” is collection of specific weights, styles, and sizes of a “typeface.” In the “old days,” before computers, printers would set a page for press using different letter blocks for each specific weight, style, and size of a typeface.⁣

Each “typeface” required dozens of “fonts” for typesetting.⁣

A “font family” is collection of all styles of a specific “typeface.” This is also called a type family.⁣

MyFonts.com (the largest distributor of fonts) boasts more than 130,000 fonts. 36,000+ families. 4,000+ type designers.⁣

Nobody really knows the exact quantity of type families. Online research estimates a variety of ranges, most between 35,000 and 60,000.⁣