WOFF file format
| Extension | .woff |
| Category | documents |
| Description | The .woff (Web Open Font Format) file is a web-specific font format optimized for internet use. |
| Technical details | Here are the key features of this format: - Standardization is crucial, with the W3C standardizing WOFF 1.0 in 2012, followed by the more efficient WOFF 2.0. - The format is compressed using the Brotli algorithm for superior compression, especially in WOFF 2.0. This results in smaller file sizes for TrueType/OpenType fonts. - Designed for web use, this format enables the use of custom fonts without significantly slowing down page loading. - It allows the inclusion of metadata or private data, from licensing information and designer details to other font-related documents. - Modern web browsers widely support the WOFF file. - The WOFF file is backward compatible with TrueType and OpenType fonts, meaning it is compatible with older font formats. - It allows for controlled usage of fonts on the web, providing protection for intellectual property. - The compression feature helps reduce bandwidth demands, thus improving website loading times. - WOFF 2.0 offers approximately 30% better compression than WOFF, though both versions are commonly used. - The file structure of a WOFF file includes a header, table directory entries, font data blocks, and optional metadata/private data blocks. - A WOFF file is typically embedded in web pages via CSS to specify custom fonts. The .woff format is crucial for efficient web font loading, finding the right balance between font quality and web performance. The creation of this format signifies a significant advancement in web typography. It allows for more creative and diverse font usage on the internet while also addressing practical concerns like file size and page load times. |