To add a font to Word on a Mac, install the font on macOS first. Download the font file (.ttf or .otf), double-click it, and click Install in the preview window that opens. Then quit Word completely and reopen it; the new font appears in the font list on the Home tab. Word for Mac uses the fonts installed on your Mac, so there’s no separate “add font” step inside Word itself.
Quick Answer
Double-click the .ttf or .otf file > Install > quit Word (Command + Q) > reopen Word and pick the font.
Install the Font
- Download the font from a trusted source. If it comes as a .zip, double-click the file to unzip it.
- Double-click the .ttf or .otf file. A preview opens in the Mac’s font manager.
- Click Install. If macOS shows a validation warning, it’s safer to skip that font.
- Repeat for each style you want (Regular, Bold, Italic and so on) if they come as separate files.
Use It in Word
- Quit Word with Command + Q (closing the window isn’t enough).
- Open Word again and select some text.
- On the Home tab, open the font box and type the font’s name.
Font Sources Compared
| Source | Notes |
|---|---|
| Downloaded .ttf/.otf files | Install on the Mac as above; check the license for commercial use |
| Word’s cloud fonts | With a Microsoft 365 subscription, many extra fonts download automatically when you pick them from the font list |
| Fonts built into macOS | Some fonts are available to download from the font manager’s library |
Share Documents That Use the Font
If the person you send the file to doesn’t have the font, Word substitutes another one. For a fixed look, save as PDF (File > Save As > PDF). On Windows, Word can embed fonts; Word for Mac’s support for embedding has historically been limited, so test before relying on it.
On Windows? See how to add a new font to Word.
For vowels with macrons, read how to insert Māori macrons in Word.
Troubleshooting
- Font doesn’t show in Word: Quit Word fully and reopen it. If it’s still missing, restart the Mac.
- Font is grayed out or looks wrong: The file may be damaged or a duplicate. Open the font manager, select the font, and check for duplicates or validation problems.
- Installed for the wrong user: Fonts normally install for your user only. That’s fine for your own copy of Word.
- Adding fonts on a PC instead: See how to add fonts on Windows 10.
- Formatting went wrong after changing fonts: See removing all formatting in Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a font from inside Word for Mac?
No. Install it on macOS, then restart Word.
Which font formats work?
TrueType (.ttf) and OpenType (.otf) both work. Many web font formats such as .woff don’t install as desktop fonts.
How do I remove a font?
Open the Mac’s font manager, select the font, and remove it.
Summary
- Download a .ttf or .otf font.
- Double-click it and click Install.
- Quit and reopen Word.
- Save as PDF when sharing to keep the look.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.