use custom fonts in css

Understanding the use and manipulation of fonts is an essential skill every web developer should acquire. Through custom fonts, developers can set the tone, mood, and aesthetic appeal of their web pages. In this article, we will explore how to use custom fonts in CSS.

The Syntax for Using Custom Fonts

The primary task of using custom fonts involves two key steps. The first one is linking the desired font file to your CSS, and the next is declaring that particular font in your CSS styles.

Here is a basic code snippet that demonstrates these two steps:

@font-face {
  font-family: 'MyCustomFont';
  src: url('MyCustomFont.eot'); /* IE9 Compat Modes */
  src: url('MyCustomFont.eot?#iefix') format('embedded-opentype'), /* IE6-IE8 */
       url('MyCustomFont.woff2') format('woff2'), /* Super Modern Browsers */
       url('MyCustomFont.woff') format('woff'), /* Modern Browsers */
       url('MyCustomFont.ttf')  format('truetype'), /* Safari, Android, iOS */
       url('MyCustomFont.svg#svgFontName') format('svg'); /* Legacy iOS */
}

body {
  font-family: 'MyCustomFont', sans-serif;
}

Code Explanation for Custom Fonts Usage

The code for using custom fonts in CSS is relatively easy to understand once you know the components involved.

The first step in integrating a custom font into your CSS is to use the @font-face rule. This rule allows the font to be available throughout your design by assigning it a name (in this case, MyCustomFont).

You can then link your custom font file (for example, ‘MyCustomFont.eot’) to your CSS file using the src property.

As you might have noticed in the code snippet, there are multiple src values in the @font-face rule, each with a different url and potential format. This is because different web browsers support different font file types, and declaring multiple formats ensures cross-browser compatibility.

For instance, Internet Explorer versions 6 through 8 require the Embedded OpenType (EOT) format, while certain modern web browsers benefit from the Web Open Font Format (WOFF or WOFF2).

Lastly, after declaring your font resource with the @font-face rule, you can now use it within your CSS styles. Just use the font-family property with the name you assigned in the @font-face rule (in this case, MyCustomFont).

Now, your text will be displayed in the custom font you designated.

Implementing custom fonts can truly make your webpage stand out from the rest. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different font styles and combinations to deliver a unique user experience.