TrueType (TT) is a widely used outline font standard originally developed by Apple in the late 1980s. Supported across macOS, Windows, and Linux platforms, TrueType allows precise control over how each glyph is rendered—down to individual pixels. This has made it the backbone of digital typography and the foundation for many modern font families. Keep reading to learn about truetype fonts.
What Is TrueType?
Created as Apple’s competitor to Adobe’s PostScript Type 1, TrueType brought hinting instructions that enabled precise glyph display on low-resolution screens.
Favored in Windows and macOS, with Linux systems adopting the FreeType engine to render TrueType fonts. Key core web fonts like Arial, Courier New, Georgia, and Verdana are TrueType-based.
Advantages of TrueType
Here are advantages of TrueType:
Pixel-Level Hinting
Developers can finely adjust how fonts look at different sizes, improving clarity on screens. Though modern rendering (like macOS’s and ClearType) may ignore some hints, TrueType’s hinting still benefits many use cases.
Open Standards & Collections
With the patent expiry of TrueType hinting code and support for TrueType Collections (.ttc), this format remains open, versatile, and storage-efficient.
TrueType in the Modern Age
While modern OpenType fonts often use advanced CFF outlines, TrueType outlines remain the most common for free and budget fonts. The format’s hinting flexibility, cross-platform support, and ease of embedding (through licensing flags) make it ideal for today’s diverse digital typography needs.
TypeType’s TrueType Font Collection
The TypeType foundry offers a curated collection of high-quality TrueType fonts trial versions, free downloads, and commercial licenses, all technically optimized for design:
Here are some featured TrueType font families available on TypeType:
- TT Norms® Pro
A versatile geometric sans serif and flagship typeface. Trial download is available, with individual styles starting at $42.99 and a full family of 104 styles priced at $599. - TT Slabs
A clean and broad slab serif offering strong presence. A single style costs $29, while the entire 20-style family is just $129. - TT Commons™ Pro
A major TypeType bestseller with 104 styles in five widths (Normal, Condensed, Compact, Expanded, Mono), plus 2 variable font options. It supports extensive Unicode coverage (over 1,546 glyphs in Mono; 2,276+ in other styles), 42 OpenType features, manual TrueType hinting, and over 280 languages. Styles start at $30.09, with the full family available at $419.30 during a 30%‑off promotion valid through August 22, 2025.
Licensing & Trial Usage
TypeType provides trial versions of all TrueType fonts for testing. These are free to use temporarily, but require full commercial licensing for ongoing use . Licensing options include desktop, webfont, app, server, and unlimited usage plans tailored to project scope.
Why Choose TypeType TrueType Fonts?
- Technical Precision
Each font includes robust TrueType hinting, ensuring clear display across devices. - Extensive Style Ranges
Families like TT Commons™ Pro offer dozens of weights, widths, and italics to suit diverse design needs. - Multilingual & Feature-Rich
With support for over 280 languages and a wealth of OpenType features, these fonts are capable and interoperable.
Conclusion
TrueType remains a vibrant and technically sound format in modern typography. Its hinting capabilities, platform flexibility, and evolving standards keep it relevant. TypeType’s TrueType font lineup. It offers trial versions, comprehensive families, manual hinting, and deep language support. It exemplifies how this format thrives in contemporary design. Whether for web, print, branding, or app development, TrueType fonts from TypeType deliver precision, versatility, and quality.
