Understand fonts inside PDFs
How PDF fonts work (and why you sometimes can’t find them)
A PDF tries to look identical everywhere. Fonts make that possible—until they don’t. Some files pack the whole typeface inside. Others include only the characters they needed. And a few just point to a font by name and hope your computer has something close. That’s why one document looks perfect on your laptop, but the same file on another machine feels… off.
The quick version: embedding is reliable, subsetting keeps size small, and referencing is a roll of the dice. This tool helps you see what the file actually declares so you can make better choices—match branding, fix exports, or just satisfy your curiosity.
Embedded vs. subsetted vs. referenced
A PDF can include fonts in three common ways:
- Embedded (full) — the complete font program is inside the file. This makes the PDF heavier but ensures consistent display and printing.
- Subsetted — only the glyphs actually used in the document are included. This keeps size down but can make font names a little weird (e.g., “ABCDEF+Inter-Regular”).
- Referenced — the PDF only points to a font by name. Your viewer substitutes a local match (or a default fallback) at display/print time.
Why does this matter? If you’re trying to rebuild a document, match branding, or extract text, knowing exactly which fonts are present—and whether they’re embedded—can save a ton of trial and error.
What our detector looks for
Here’s how we figure it out without wasting your time:
- If the \"pdffonts\" utility (from Poppler) is available on the server, we use it to get a structured table of fonts, encoding, and embedding info.
- If not, we scan the PDF content directly for /FontName tokens and normalize common subset prefixes (e.g., “ABCDEF+”).
This gives you quick, useful insight even when advanced tools aren’t installed.
Why the same font shows different names
Spot a funky name like “ABCEFG+Inter-SemiBold”? That six-letter prefix signals a subset. It’s still Inter—just a trimmed version with only the glyphs the PDF needed. We show the readable family so you don’t have to squint.
Licensing and usage
Finding a font here doesn’t mean you can freely reuse it. If you plan to edit, republish, or embed the typeface elsewhere, make sure you’re licensed for that. Many commercial families have different rules for desktop, web, and apps.
Troubleshooting: when nothing shows up
- Scanned PDFs — no text layer, no fonts. Run OCR or re‑export as a real text PDF and try again.
- Subset names — odd prefixes are normal; it’s the same family trimmed down.
- Substitution — when nothing’s embedded, the viewer may swap in a local font. We show what the file asks for, not the fallback you see.
- Cranky PDFs — broken objects occasionally hide font info. Try saving from another app or exporting again.
Practical workflow: matching a brand style
- Grab a brand/reference PDF.
- Check which families pop up (Inter, Roboto Slab, etc.).
- Make sure you’re licensed—or pick solid open‑source substitutes.
- Match weights and styles so headings and body text feel right.
- Mock a short page in your editor.
- Export and recheck. If the fonts embed, you’re set.
Embedded font types at a glance
You might see these technical labels in the wild:
- Type 1 / CFF — classic PostScript outline font format (still common in older assets).
- TrueType — widely supported outline format; often appears as subset.
- OpenType (CFF/TrueType) — container that can hold either CFF or TrueType outlines plus advanced features.
- CIDFonts — mechanism for large character sets (CJK languages, etc.).
Tips to ensure fonts embed correctly
- Prefer “Export as PDF” over “Print to PDF” — it preserves the real text layer.
- Skim export options — enable “Embed fonts” and reasonable subsetting.
- Watch licenses — some families restrict embedding; pick alternatives if needed.
- Avoid flattening unless you must — outlines and bitmaps erase font info.
FAQ
Why is the name unfamiliar?
Likely a subset or a PostScript label. “ABCDXY+Inter-Regular” still means Inter—just a trimmed subset.
Can I pull the font out of the PDF?
Some tools can extract subsets, but licensing often forbids reuse, and subsets are incomplete anyway. Not great for real editing.
The PDF obviously has type, but nothing shows—why?
It’s probably a scan or the text was flattened to shapes. No font programs inside means nothing to detect.
Will this change the PDF?
Nope. We analyze a temporary copy, then delete it. Your original stays untouched.
From fonts to better documents
Once you know what the file is actually using, you can match brand type, avoid weird fallbacks, and pick legal substitutes when needed. If you’re prepping a printable pack, merge PDFs into one file first. Curious about size? count pages or count words. And if this PDF is study material, turn it into a quick quiz — it really helps the content stick.