## 2. Text

### 2.1. Adding Fonts

GIMP uses the FreeType 2 font engine to render fonts, and a system called Fontconfig to manage them. FreeType 2 supports many common font file formats.

Any font in Fontconfig's font path is available in GIMP. In addition, any font which is located in GIMP's Font Folders is available in GIMP. Font Folders are set on the Fonts page in the Folders preferences.

By default, there are two Font Folders: The system GIMP fonts folder (which you should not alter), and a `fonts` folder inside your personal GIMP directory. You can also add additional font folders if wanted.

- Linux

  There are several ways to install a font:

  - Use an application like GNOME Fonts or KFontView to install the font.

  - Place the font file in the directory `~/.local/share/fonts/`. This will make the font available to you only.

  - If you have administrator rights, place the font file in the directory `/usr/local/share/fonts/`. This will make the font available to all users.

  In all cases, the font will become available to all programs that use Fontconfig.

- Microsoft Windows

  There are several ways to install a font system-wide:

  - Drag the font file into the Fonts directory `C:\Windows\Fonts` .

  - Install the font via the Settings app. In Windows, go to Settings, select Personalization, then from there go to Fonts.

- macOS

  - Install the font via the Font Book application.

The installed fonts will show up the next time you start GIMP. If you want to use it in an already running GIMP instance, press the Refresh button in the Fonts dialog.

| Note
If for some reason you run into problems trying to install a font system-wide, try to install the font in the `fonts` folder of your personal GIMP directory instead (see above).

#### 2.1.1. Font Problems

In most cases, problems with fonts are caused by malformed font files or outdated font formats. If you experience crashes at start-up when GIMP scans your font directories, as a quick workaround you can start GIMP with the `--no-fonts` command line argument, but then you will not be able to use the text tool.

Chapter 9. Text Management |  | Chapter 10. Enhancing Photographs

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