What is PFB?

PostScript Type 1 Binary (PFB) is a compact binary printer font format, more efficient than ASCII PFA for professional printing.

What is CFF?

Compact Font Format (CFF) is a PostScript-based font format used in PDF documents and professional printing for efficient font storage.

When Should You Use PFB vs CFF?

Use PFB When...

Reach for PFB when your priority is professional printing, legacy typesetting — its uncompromising quality ensures every detail is preserved.

Use CFF When...

Reach for CFF when your priority is professional printing, pdf fonts — its uncompromising quality ensures every detail is preserved.

PFB vs CFF: Key Differences

•PFB uses lossless compression while CFF uses lossless compression — both take the same approach to file size management.
•Neither format changes compression philosophy — both are lossless compression — so any size differences are due to encoding efficiency, not a shift in quality approach.
•Alpha channel support: CFF lacks transparency support.
•PFB files are typically 15-80KB per font, smaller than PFA while CFF files range 15-100KB per font
•PFB is optimized for professional printing, legacy typesetting while CFF is designed for professional printing, pdf fonts — choose based on your specific workflow needs

Advantages of PFB

✓PFB applies lossless compression specifically calibrated for Professional printing, legacy typesetting.
✓PFB enjoys broad native support across operating systems, browsers, and creative tools alike.
✓PFB guarantees every bit of the original data survives — no approximations, no shortcuts.
✓You will find PFB support built into virtually every tool that handles Professional printing, legacy typesetting — no plugins or converters needed.

Advantages of CFF

✓CFF compresses data using lossless methods, keeping file sizes manageable for Professional printing, PDF fonts.
✓Industry-wide support means CFF files open anywhere — from legacy systems to the latest devices.
✓Lossless quality makes CFF the gold standard for archival and master copies.
✓From professional software to open-source alternatives, CFF works out of the box.

Common Use Cases for PFB to CFF Conversion

Video subtitles
Game UI typography
Website typography
Brand identity
Print design
Mobile apps

Industry Applications

Book PublishingMobile App DevelopmentWeb DesignTypographyGraphic DesignDesktop Publishing

Best Practices for PFB to CFF Conversion

→Before converting PFB to CFF, review the font license — some licenses restrict format conversion
→Check hinting data after conversion: CFF may handle TrueType hinting differently than PFB
→Verify that all character sets (Latin, Cyrillic, CJK, etc.) survived the conversion intact
→Test the converted font in both a browser and a desktop application
→Keep the original font file in case the conversion alters spacing metrics

Troubleshooting PFB to CFF Conversion

!CFF font doesn't render correctly → check if CFF supports all glyphs present in PFB
!Licensing restrictions after PFB to CFF conversion → verify the font license allows format conversion
!Hinting data lost converting PFB to CFF → some font formats like CFF may not preserve TrueType hinting
!Special characters missing from converted CFF → font subsetting may have removed unused glyphs

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Convert PFB to CFF Online - Free & Fast

Convert PFB files to CFF online for free. High-quality conversion with no registration required.

Font Converter

Upload or enter a URL to convert PFB to CFF instantly

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.pfb,.PFB (max 100MB)

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About PFB and CFF

PFB

PFB (PFB fonts) - PostScript Type 1 Binary, compact printer font format. Best for professional printing, legacy typesetting.

CFF

CFF (CFF fonts) - Compact Font Format, PostScript-based font outlines. Ideal for professional printing, pdf fonts.

Format Comparison

CompressionLossless → Lossless

TransparencySupported

Use CaseConvert from professional printing, legacy typesetting to professional printing, pdf fonts

File Size~15-100KB per font after conversion

FAQs

Is converting PFB to CFF free?

Yes, GoConvertFile offers free conversion of PFB to CFF for files up to 100MB. No registration required.

How long does it take to convert PFB to CFF?

Most PFB to CFF conversions complete within seconds for standard-sized files. Larger files may take longer depending on the conversion complexity.

What is CFF best used for?

CFF is ideal for professional printing, pdf fonts. Compact Font Format, PostScript-based font outlines

What file size should I expect after converting PFB to CFF?

File size after PFB to CFF conversion depends on the content complexity and quality settings. Both formats use similar compression approaches so sizes are comparable.

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