Question 1

What is Typescope?

Accepted Answer

Typescope is a free, browser-based font viewer and typography studio built by Cleffon Design Studio. It lets you instantly preview all local system fonts installed on your device, browse the entire Google Fonts library, and compare typefaces side-by-side — without uploading anything.

Question 2

Is Typescope free to use for personal and commercial projects?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Typescope is 100% free with no subscription, account creation, or hidden paywalls. You can preview, compare, test, and download fonts for any commercial client or personal design project. For third-party commercial fonts listed in the Languages directory, Typescope directs you straight to the originating foundries.

Question 3

Does Typescope upload my private or proprietary fonts to any server?

Accepted Answer

Never. Typescope operates with a zero-upload, client-side privacy architecture. When you grant Local Font Access permission or drag-and-drop custom font files, the font files are read directly into browser memory buffers. Nothing is transmitted to external servers or logged in the cloud, making Typescope completely safe for confidential agency and client work.

Question 4

How do I preview my local system fonts?

Accepted Answer

Click "Access System Fonts" in the toolbar. Your browser will prompt for the Local Font Access API permission (supported in Chrome, Edge, and Arc). Once granted, Typescope loads every typeface installed on your device and renders live previews in the font grid.

Question 5

What makes Typescope better than Wordmark.it or FontBase?

Accepted Answer

Unlike Wordmark.it, Typescope includes 1,900+ Google Fonts and Fontshare typefaces, direct TTF/WOFF2 downloads, side-by-side comparison docks, a 26-script language directory, site font inspection, and a live Font Pairing Studio. Unlike desktop apps like FontBase, Typescope requires zero installation and runs instantly on any device.

Question 6

Can I download fonts from Typescope?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For Google Fonts and Fontshare fonts shown in the grid, each font card has a Download button. You can choose the format — TTF (recommended for best compatibility), WOFF2 (smallest for web use), or WOFF (legacy browser support). Your local system fonts can also be extracted if the Local Font Access permission is granted.

Question 7

What font formats can I download?

Accepted Answer

TTF (TrueType), WOFF2 (Web Open Font Format 2), and WOFF. TTF is the default and recommended for desktop use and most projects. WOFF2 is the best choice for web embeds. You can switch formats via the dropdown arrow next to the Download button.

Question 8

Can I test variable fonts, weight axes, and optical sizing in Typescope?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Typescope provides real-time controls for variable fonts, allowing you to fluidly test continuous weights (100 to 900+), slant angles, letter-spacing, and line heights. This lets you inspect subtle optical variations across different sizes before implementing them in CSS.

Question 9

What is Fetch Site Fonts and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Fetch Site Fonts lets you enter any website URL (e.g., your favorite SaaS or media publication). Typescope inspects the site's CSS stylesheet, extracts @font-face declarations and font-family stacks, and reveals which web fonts are active. You can then test those detected typefaces immediately in Typescope.

Question 10

How do I compare fonts side-by-side?

Accepted Answer

Select multiple font cards by clicking them (a blue dot appears on each selected card), then click "Compare" in the bottom dock. The comparison view shows all selected typefaces rendering the same text simultaneously. You can adjust font size and spacing in the comparison view.

Question 11

How does Font Pairing Studio work?

Accepted Answer

Font Pairing Studio is a live editor where you can test two or more fonts together in real design layouts — headline + body, brand identity cards, editorial templates. You can browse Google Fonts, pick weights, and see combinations instantly.

Question 12

Can I upload my own font files?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Click the "+ Fonts" button or "Add Font Folder" to upload .ttf, .otf, .woff, or .woff2 files directly from your device. Uploaded fonts are previewed in the grid and can be tested in the comparison view.

Question 13

Does Typescope work offline or as a PWA (Progressive Web App)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Typescope includes a built-in Service Worker and web manifest that caches app assets. You can install Typescope to your desktop or home screen via your browser toolbar and preview installed system fonts even when disconnected from the internet.

Question 14

How do I use the auto-scroll feature?

Accepted Answer

Click "Auto Scroll" in the bottom dock. The font grid scrolls continuously so you can sit back and browse all loaded fonts. Use the Speed control (0.5× to 5×) to adjust the pace. This is useful for reviewing large font collections hands-free.

Question 15

What is the Languages section?

Accepted Answer

The Languages section is a curated directory of type foundries and fonts for non-Latin scripts — including Malayalam, Tamil, Arabic, Hindi/Devanagari, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Bengali, Telugu, and many more. It links to the foundries where you can purchase or download their fonts.

Question 16

Can I export CSS @font-face or Tailwind configuration from Typescope?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Selected fonts can be exported directly as CSS @font-face snippets, HTML link tags, or Tailwind CSS theme font-family objects ready to paste into your frontend projects.

Question 17

Does Typescope work on mobile devices?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Typescope is fully responsive and works on modern mobile browsers. The font grid, language directory, comparison view, and download controls are all touch-friendly. Note that the Local Font Access API is only available on desktop browsers (Chrome, Edge), so system font access requires a desktop device.

Question 18

Which browsers does Typescope support?

Accepted Answer

Typescope works in all modern browsers. Chrome and Edge (desktop) support the Local Font Access API for system font previewing. Google Fonts and Fontshare browsing, comparison, and downloading work in all browsers including Safari and Firefox.

Question 19

Is Typescope open source?

Accepted Answer

Typescope is built and maintained by Cleffon Design Studio. Contact Cleffon via cleffon.com for licensing, partnership, or white-label enquiries.

Frequently Asked Questions