PDF Font List
See which fonts a PDF uses and whether they're embedded.
About this tool
Drop in a PDF to see each font it uses: the name, the font type (TrueType, Type 1, CID/OpenType, Type 3), whether it's embedded and subset, its encoding and how often it appears.
Why embedded fonts matter
When a font is embedded, the PDF carries the font itself, so the document looks the same on every device and prints correctly. When it isn't, the reader substitutes a similar font, which can change line breaks, spacing and symbols, and printers and PDF/A archiving rules usually reject it. A subset font (its name starts with six capital letters and a plus sign, such as ABCDEF+Arial) contains only the characters the document uses, which keeps the file smaller but makes later text edits harder. The 14 standard PDF fonts (Times, Helvetica, Courier, Symbol and Zapf Dingbats) are flagged, because readers are expected to supply them even when not embedded. This helps you answer 'what font is this PDF in?', check a file for a print shop, or find why a document looks different on another computer. Honest limits: Type 3 fonts are drawn shapes with no real name, and fonts used only inside form fields or annotations may not appear. The PDF metadata tool and the PDF flatten tool are related.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell what font a PDF uses?
Drop the PDF in. Every font is listed by name, with subset prefixes removed for readability.
What does embedded mean?
The font is stored inside the PDF, so it looks and prints the same on every device.
What is a subset font?
A font with only the characters used in the document, marked by a prefix like ABCDEF+.
Does an unembedded font matter?
Often yes: printers and PDF/A archives usually require embedded fonts. The 14 standard fonts are the usual exception.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read and processed in your browser on this device; nothing is uploaded or stored.