WhatFontIs: Identify Fonts from Images

Identifying Fonts from Images with Whatfontis

Have you encountered a visually appealing font in a graphic and wished to know its name? Perhaps you're seeking a complimentary, freely available font to utilize in your own projects. Whatfontis provides a straightforward solution; all that's required is an image containing the font, or a link to that image, to begin the identification process.

This tool boasts numerous applications and is a valuable resource to keep readily accessible.

Using the Whatfontis Web Application

We will now demonstrate the application's functionality, beginning with navigation to the website using its URL. Upon arrival at the homepage, you will be presented with an interface similar to the one shown below:

You have the option to upload a local image file – with a maximum size of 1.8MB – by utilizing the browse button. Alternatively, you can directly input the URL of an image hosted online. To obtain an image's URL from the web, a right-click and selection of "copy image location" is often effective. This copied URL can then be pasted into the designated box labeled Or specify a URL with the image.

The selected file name will then be displayed, as illustrated below:

As a practical example, I chose to identify the web logo of MakeUseOf.com. The image's URL was located and entered into the provided box, as depicted below:

The next step involves identifying specific letters within the image. This will lead you to the following screen:

You will be prompted to enter the corresponding letter for each provided box. If a box displays only a portion of a letter, you can drag it to its counterpart to complete the shape, then input the full letter.

For instance, the final entry requires the letter m, so simply type m into the corresponding box. Similarly, the fourth letter in the second row represents the upper portion of the letter F, with the next box containing the lower portion. Drag one segment to the other to form the complete F, and then type F.

Upon clicking continue, the results screen appeared almost immediately. A variety of fonts with varying degrees of similarity were presented. However, closer examination revealed that many of these options were commercially licensed and required payment.

Filtering for Free Fonts

What if a free font is desired? As loyal MakeUseOf.com readers, we appreciate cost-effective solutions. The application offers a filtering option, accessible when uploading your file or URL, allowing you to choose between all fonts, commercial fonts, or exclusively free fonts.

Selecting the "free fonts only" option yielded a significantly improved list, as shown below. While not all matches were perfect, several viable alternatives were identified, such as Berlin Email Semi bold Bold (option 3 below).

Simply click on a font's name to initiate the download process! This is a remarkably useful tool.

Previously, we explored similar applications like IdentiFont. You can find more information about that here. Furthermore, we have published other articles related to fonts, including guides on creating your own Windows fonts, two free font creation tools, installing fonts on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and five resources for downloading free fonts.