Summary only, not legal advice. The licence text governs; confirm with the rights holder for your use. Read more
Licence types
Licence types, explained
The handful of licence models behind almost every font and stock asset you'll use.
OFL
SIL Open Font License 1.1 (OFL)
The most common licence for free, open-source fonts (most of Google Fonts). You can use OFL fonts for any design work, embed them, bundle them with software and modify them. You can't sell the font files on their own, and modified versions can't use any Reserved Font Name.
Apache 2.0
Apache License 2.0
A permissive open-source software licence used by a few Google Fonts families. It allows reproduction, modification and redistribution, with notice requirements, and does not grant trademark rights.
ITF FFL
ITF Free Font License (Fontshare)
The licence for Fontshare's 'Closed Source' fonts from the Indian Type Foundry. Free for commercial use in any media, including logos (which may be registered as trademarks), web and apps — but you may not modify the fonts or hand the files to anyone else.
Adobe Fonts
Adobe Fonts (Creative Cloud) licence
Fonts licensed through a paid Creative Cloud subscription. Covers personal and commercial design, logos, video and Adobe-hosted web use; excludes self-hosting, app embedding and server use. Files with outlined or embedded type keep working after you cancel.
Desktop
Desktop font licence
The standard paid font licence: install on a set number of computers and use the font to make static artwork, print, documents and (usually) logos. It normally does not cover embedding the font in websites, apps, ebooks or ads — those need their own licences. Terms differ by foundry.
Webfont
Webfont licence
Lets you embed a font on a website with CSS @font-face so live text renders in it. Usually limited by domain and monthly pageviews. Not needed if the font only appears inside images, such as a logo graphic.
App
App font licence
Needed when the font file itself is built into a mobile or desktop app. Usually priced per app title or by monthly active users.
Stock tiers
Stock licences: Standard vs Enhanced/Extended
Stock sites sell a basic licence with copy or audience caps and no merchandise rights, and a higher tier that lifts the caps and (on some sites) allows merchandise. Using stock imagery as a logo or trademark is commonly prohibited.