Core guide · Licensing
Free for personal use vs commercial use
A simple explanation of personal and commercial font use, with practical examples.
Personal use is private work that does not promote a business or generate value. Commercial use covers work for a company, client, sale, advertising, monetised channel or other income-related purpose.
Personal use
Examples normally include a private birthday card, a school exercise or artwork made only for yourself. Publishing the result publicly, promoting a service or using it for an organisation can move the project outside personal use.
Commercial use
Commercial use is broader than selling the font. A client logo, product label, advert, monetised video, business social post, paid app and company website are typical commercial uses—even when the design itself is given away.
- Client and employer work
- Advertising and brand communication
- Products and packaging
- Monetised media
- Business websites and apps
When the situation is unclear
Read the complete licence and contact the rights holder if the planned use is not covered. Describe the project, audience, distribution method and whether the font file will be embedded or shared. A screenshot of a licence badge is not a substitute for keeping the actual terms.
This guide explains general font practice and the permissions displayed by Font Trust. The complete licence attached to a specific font remains the controlling text.