How to open a .pfb file
Quick, free ways to open PFB on any system.
A .pfb file is a PostScript Type 1 Font (binary). If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads PFB yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .pfb file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .pfb. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with FontForge or install via Fonts.
- On Mac, use FontForge or Font Book (legacy).
- On Linux, try FontForge or font managers.
- Still stuck? Convert the .pfb to otf, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .pfb files
Windows
- FontForge
- install via Fonts
- font converters
macOS
- FontForge
- Font Book (legacy)
Linux
- FontForge
- font managers
!
Before you open it: Safe. PFB is a font file read by the font engine.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .pfb file?
Almost always because no installed app understands PFB. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I open or install a .pfb file?
You can install it as a font on older systems, but support is fading. The reliable path is to convert it to OpenType (.otf) with FontForge.
What is the difference between .pfb and .pfm?
The .pfb holds the font outlines (the glyphs); the .pfm (or .afm) holds the metrics. Type 1 fonts historically came as this pair.