A font license is permission to use the font, not ownership of it. The question that decides which license you need is simple: does the thing you make earn money, or promote something that does?
Every designer and type studio writes their own license, so names, limits and details differ from font to font. What follows is how the three common tiers usually work, so you know what to look for before you download.
Personal license
Non-commercial projects by one person: your own portfolio, school work, personal art prints, gifts you don't sell.
Usually not covered: Anything sold, anything that promotes a business, or anything made for a client.
Commercial license
Work that earns money or promotes a business, such as a client logo or website, a self-published book, a YouTube video or merchandise for sale. Many commercial licenses set limits, for example on the number of end products, copies, users or computers, and the limits vary a lot between designers.
Usually not covered: Usually reselling or sharing the font itself, and often products where the font is the main thing being sold.
Extended license
Commercial use with fewer limits: more end products, larger production runs, or products where the font is a key part of what you sell, such as templates for sale. Some designers call it Business, Unlimited or Merchandise instead.
Usually not covered: Reselling or redistributing the font files themselves.
Which license for which job
| What you are making | Typical license |
|---|---|
| Posting on your personal Instagram | Personal |
| Posting for your business or a client's account | Commercial |
| Designing a logo for a client | Commercial |
| Your own wedding invitations | Personal |
| Invitations for a paying couple | Commercial |
| Print-on-demand T-shirts | Commercial |
| Selling editable Canva or Etsy templates with the font | Extended |
| Production runs above your license's limits | Extended |
What to check in any font license
- Is commercial use allowed, and is client work included?
- Is there a limit on end products, copies, users or computers?
- Can you embed the font in apps, websites, PDFs or Canva?
- Can you use it in templates or products you sell?
- If the font comes with a subscription, what happens to your designs when you cancel?
Fonts from subscriptions
Some fonts are available through subscriptions instead of a one-time purchase. Subscription terms often allow commercial use while you are subscribed, but they can restrict starting new designs after you cancel, so check what happens to your work before you rely on it.
Two ways to save money
Some designers price Commercial the same as Personal. When that happens, choose Commercial: it costs nothing extra and you are covered if a hobby project turns into paid work.
Extended licenses vary a lot in price. If you plan to sell templates, compare the Extended price before you commit to a font.
This is a general guide, not legal advice. The license that comes with the font always applies; if something is unclear, ask the designer to confirm in writing.
