Word for Mac uses the fonts installed on your Mac, so adding a new font to Word is really about installing it in macOS. Once a font is installed with Font Book, it appears in Word's font list and in other apps like Pages and PowerPoint. This guide shows how to install fonts on a Mac, get them to show up in Word, embed fonts so others see them, and fix fonts that do not appear.
Quick Answer
Download the font file (.ttf or .otf), unzip it if needed, and double-click it. In the preview window, click Install. Then quit Word completely (Word > Quit Word or Cmd + Q) and reopen it. The font appears in the Home tab's font list.
Step 1: Get the Font File
- Download fonts from reputable sources, such as Google Fonts, Adobe Fonts, or a type foundry.
- Check the license, especially for commercial use.
- If the font comes as a .zip file, double-click it to unzip. Look for .otf (OpenType) or .ttf (TrueType) files.
Step 2: Install the Font on Your Mac
Method 1: Double-click
- Double-click the .otf or .ttf file.
- Click Install in the preview window.
- Font Book opens and validates the font. Repeat for each style (Regular, Bold, Italic).
Method 2: Font Book
- Open Font Book from Applications (or press Cmd + Space and type Font Book).
- Click File > Add Fonts to Current User (or the + button).
- Select the font files and click Open.
You can also drag font files into the Font Book window.
Step 3: Restart Word
Word loads the font list when it starts, so quit it completely with Cmd + Q and reopen it. Closing the window is not enough. The new font appears in the font menu on the Home tab and in Format > Font.
Cloud Fonts in Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 subscribers can use many additional fonts that download automatically when selected. In the font list, fonts with a cloud icon download the first time you use them. You do not need to install these manually.
Share Documents With Custom Fonts
If someone else opens your document without the font installed, Word substitutes a different font. To avoid this:
- Embed fonts: go to Word > Preferences (Settings) > Save and check Embed fonts in the file, if available in your version. Some fonts do not allow embedding.
- Save as PDF: use File > Save As > PDF for documents that only need to be viewed or printed.
Troubleshooting
The font does not appear in Word
- Quit and reopen Word.
- Check Font Book to make sure the font is installed and enabled (not grayed out). Right-click and choose Enable if needed.
- Restart your Mac if it still does not appear.
Font Book shows a warning
Font Book validates fonts. A warning about duplicates or errors may mean a damaged file or an older copy is installed. Choose to resolve duplicates, or download the font again from the original source.
Only some styles appear
Install every style file (Bold, Italic, and so on). Some families come as separate files for each weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install fonts only in Word?
No. On a Mac, fonts are installed system-wide or for your user account, and Word uses them.
Where are installed fonts stored?
Fonts installed for your account are in ~/Library/Fonts, and fonts for all users are in /Library/Fonts.
How do I remove a font?
Open Font Book, select the font, and choose File > Remove (or press Delete).
Summary
- Download and unzip the font.
- Double-click the .otf or .ttf file and click Install.
- Quit and reopen Word to see the font.
- Embed fonts or save as PDF when sharing.
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.