A Divi custom font is a font that is not natively available within the Divi editor or even the WordPress editor (Gutenberg). However, depending on your project or your client's project, it is likely that you will have to use specific fonts that have been custom-made for the project or that have been purchased on a dedicated platform. This is a far cry from the eternal Google Fonts that are everywhere.
In this article, I will explain how to implement a custom font in your Divi projects. You will see that there are several ways, some simple and some more complex.
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1 - Why use a custom font in Divi?
Not all web projects look the same, or at least shouldn't look the same... That's why using a custom font - also called Custom Font - is a good starting point to differentiate your site from "common" sites.
A custom font allows you to perfectly match your graphic charter. For example, the font used for your logo could be used on your website. Thus, a homogeneity is created between your various communication supports.
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2 - Font formats for the Web
Font files are available in several formats supported more or less well by browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari...).
TTF (TrueType Font) and OTF (OpenType Font) are the best supported font formats:
| Browser version | EOT | OTF/TTF | WOFF | WOFF2 | SVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IE 8 | x | ||||
| IE 9 to 11 | x | x | x | ||
| EDGE 12 to 14 | x | x | |||
| FIREFOX 40 to 45 | x | x | x | ||
| CHROME 43 to 49 | x | x | x | ||
| SAFARI 8 to 9 | x | x | x | ||
| OPERA 32 to 35 | x | x | x | ||
| iOS SAFARI 8.4 to 9.1 | x | x | x | ||
| ANDROID 4.4 to 44 | x | x | |||
| CHROME for Android 46 | x | x | x |
So according to this table, you understand that depending on the font files you import into your site, some browsers will not be able to interpret them.
For example, if you import fonts in EOT or SVG format, very few users will see them.
The solution would be to import all font formats into your site so that all your users can benefit from them.
If you don't have all these formats, you'll just have to generate them via FontSquirrel (we'll see that later). But concretely, if you use TTF or OTF fonts, it should be enough(who still uses Internet Explorer? Seriously! I haven't touched it since 1998).
The other solution, which is more of a backup, is to specify in your code the basic fonts that should be supported by the browser in case it cannot display your custom font. For example, you can specify Arial, Times New Roman, Verdana, Cursive, etc.
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3 - Custom font vs Google Font
Here's a question you might ask yourself: why bother using a custom font when most WordPress themes, including Divi, allow you to use the Google Fonts catalog?
It is true that the choice is vast and it is rare not to find something to suit your needs with the multitude of fonts available. However, most of them are seen and seen again. That's true... But there is also another point to address: confidentiality.
Indeed, using this service, the Google Fonts API provides the fonts requested when visiting a web page from Google's servers. This is stored in your visitor's browser cache and is updated as necessary. As a result, Google retrieves your visitor's IP address, which is nothing more than personal data. In this case, the GDPR should be respected and you should obtain the visitor's consent to display your fonts.
Using Google Font is not illegal, but your privacy policy page will need to inform your visitor of this, as required by the GDPR. You will also need to link to Google's privacy policy. To learn more about this, I recommend read this detailed article.
This is also why Divi offers to disable Google Fonts for your project:
To disable Google Fonts in Divi, simply go to the Divi tab > Theme Options > General and uncheck the option to use Google Fonts.
If you decide to do without this service, you will certainly need the rest of this article...
4 - Where to find custom fonts?
There are lots of sites to find custom fonts but don't forget to respect the copyright. Indeed, free fonts are not necessarily free of rights, this is the first thing to remember.
Then, you should know that there are premium fonts, i.e. fonts that have to be paid for. In this case, refer to the license of these fonts because some can be used in your commercial projects and others only in your personal projects. So, make sure you get the right information.
Finally, here is a list of sites where you can find beautiful fonts:
On the Web, it is quite common to use a classic font for the body text and a slightly more sophisticated font for your headline fonts. Sites like Typespiration or FontJoy are used to find the right balance between the two.
5 - Custom font via the Divi Builder
This is the easiest option! Once you've found your ideal font(s) and have their files, here are the steps to install them in Divi:
5.1 - Be in possession of at least the .ttf and .otf files
Depending on the platforms on which you found your fonts, you may be in possession of a font in .ttf or .otf format. To be safe, you should have both, at least you are safe...
So if you only have one of two, you can use a :
- Go to the converter Convertio.co and upload your TTF or OTF file. For my example, it is AlexBrush-Regular.ttf.
- Choose the format in which this file should be converted. In my case, I choose OTF because I already have the TTF file.
- Confirm by clicking on Convert.
- Upload your file, you will need it...
Now you have the OTF and TTF files.
5.2 - Importing custom fonts via the Divi Builder
The rest of the process is simple:
- Open a publication (page or article) with the Divi Builder and insert a Text module. Go to the Style tab to set the font by clicking on the drop-down menu.
- In the drop-down menu, choose "Go online".
- Choose the files for the custom font. Also remember to name your font. For my example, I named it Alexa.
- Import at least the OTF and TTF files.
- Validate by clicking on put on line.
Now your custom font should be working...
5.3 - Setting a default custom font
Now that you have your custom font, you could make it the "default" font for your entire site.
This way, you don't have to set your new font every time you use the Divi Builder, saving you a lot of time.
Simply go to the Appearance > Customize > General Settings > Typography tab and select your new font. You can set your font for all of your site's titles (header font) as well as your font for the body of the site.
5.4 - Problem importing your font into Divi
Sometimes you may not be able to import your custom font into the Divi Builder, which says:
"Sorry, this type of file is not allowed for security reasons".
There are two ways to correct the problem:
5.4.1 - Solution 1: correct via wp-config.php
If you are comfortable with WordPress, your server and your FTP software, all you have to do is edit the wp-config.php file at the root of your site and write the following line of code at the end of the file:
define('ALLOW_UNFILTERED_UPLOADS', true);
Please note that for security reasons, you should delete this line of code as soon as you have finished importing your custom fonts into Divi!
5.4.2 - Solution #2: correct with an extension
If you are not at all comfortable with handling files within your server, then you should use a dedicated :
- Go to the Extensions tab > Add and search for the extension Mime Types Plus. Install it and activate it.
- Go to the Mime Types Plus tab > Edit Mime Type.
- To allow OTF files: note otf in the extension field, font/otf in the Mime Type field and choose Document as the file type.
- To allow files TTF files: note ttf in the extension field, font/ttf in the Mime Type field and choose Document as the file type.
There you go, you can start the import again (step 5.2 of this article) and you shouldn't encounter the problem anymore.
6 - Custom font in a child theme (@font-face method)
There is another way to implement a new font in your WordPress site, it's the @font-face method. This one works for any theme, not just Divi.
You simply need to add your custom font files within your child theme and add a few lines of code to its style.css file.
- Go to the official website of FontSquirrel and upload the custom font file you have (OTF or TTF for example).
- Select the mode EXPERT.
- Check all file formats.
- Leave the other options as they are and accept the terms and conditions. Click on DOWNLOAD YOUR KIT.
- You now have a folder containing several files. Select the 5 font formats (EOT, SVG, TTF, WOFF and WOFF2) and place them in the root of your Divi child theme.
- Then open the style.css file of your child theme and place the code contained in the stylesheet.css file provided by FontSquirrel. This code looks like this:
@font-face {
font-family: 'goldie_rainbowregular';
src: url('goldie_rainbow-webfont.eot');
src: url('goldie_rainbow-webfont.eot?#iefix') format('embedded-opentype'),
url('goldie_rainbow-webfont.woff2') format('woff2'),
url('goldie_rainbow-webfont.woff') format('woff'),
url('goldie_rainbow-webfont.ttf') format('truetype'),
url('goldie_rainbow-webfont.svg#goldie_rainbowregular') format('svg');
font-weight: normal;
font-style: normal;
}- Then define which HTML tags should use this custom font. The CSS code could look like this:
h1 {
font-family: goldie_rainbowregular, Arial, sans-serif;
font-size: 48px;
}
h2 {
font-family: goldie_rainbowregular, Arial, sans-serif;
font-size: 36px;
}
h3 {
font-family: goldie_rainbowregular, Arial, sans-serif;
font-size: 24px;
}As you can see in the code above, the font "goldie_rainbowregular" is used for level 1, 2 and 3 titles. The second value (Arial) and the third value (sans-serif) are backup fonts that will be taken into account by browsers in case they fail to load your custom font.
I can imagine that this method is much more complex than the previous one but it is the classic and universal way to add a custom font in a WordPress theme.
7 - Custom font via Divi settings
There is one last solution to add custom fonts in Divi. This is if your font is hosted elsewhere on the web or if you need a Google Font that is not yet available in the Divi Builder (this can happen).
Here's how to do it:
- Visit the Google Fonts. Find your font and select it by clicking on Select this style.
- A side panel opens.
- In the Embedtab, you will find the code to implement in Divi. Copy the first one.
- Retournez dans l’administration de votre site à l’onglet <strong>Divi > Options du thème > Intégration</strong> et collez ce code dans le premier champ, la section <strong><head></strong> du site. Le code devrait ressembler à cela :
- Then, you will have to define in your CSS style sheet which elements should use this new font. For example, if I want my H4 titles to use the Lobster font, here is the code to add to the Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS tab:
h4 {
font-family: 'Lobster', cursive;
font-size: 24px;
}- Now, no matter which editor you use (Gutenberg or Divi), all fonts defined in the stylesheet must be functional on the whole site.
8 - In conclusion...
Fonts, colors and images are the most important elements in a graphic design and in a website design. Like all the time with WordPress, there are various ways to get it right. I hope this tutorial has helped you to better understand how WordPress and Divi and will have helped you to move forward in your site projects.
To go further, here is a reading list that should interest you:
- How to download fonts in WordPress without plugin.
- 50 typography terms used in web design.
- 3 tools to find a font from an image.
- 40 best free fonts.
- How to import TypeKit fonts into WordPress.
- How to create your own custom font.
Bonjour ! Merci pour ce post très constructif !
J’ai suivi à la lettre la méthode Mime Type Plus et l’ajout de police dans le divi builder !
A priori ça fonctionne très bien sur l’ensemble de mes sites, sauf sur un !
Je ne comprend pas, lorsque je visionne une page la police personnalisé s’affiche très bien, et si je recharge la page la police saute ! Auriez-vous un conseil ? Merci beaucoup !
Salut Anne Laure. Ça saute puis ça revient ? Ça peut venir du cache peut-être. As-tu un plugin de cache ?
Oui c’est ça ! Merci pour ta réponse rapide !
Ca saute et ça revient ! J’avais de prè-installé « WP Fastest Cache » et « WP-Optimize – Clean, Compress, Cache » que j’ai désactivé pour voir si ça venait de là… Mais pas de changement visible !
C’est exactement ça ! Merci de ta réponse rapide
La police saute et revient !
J’avais deux extensions pré-installé : WP Fastest Cache et WP-Optimize – Clean, Compress, Cache
! Je les ai désactivé mais rien ne change !
Alors si rien ne change, il faut investiguer : essaye avec une autre police pour voir si ça vient de là ou alors il peut y avoir un conflit ailleurs ?
J’ai changé la police mais le problème persiste ! Juste à ce niveau d’ailleurs… Sur d’autres polices personnalisées ça ne saute pas !
Désolée je sèche… ça vient peut-être des autres plugins…
Bonjour Lycia,
Sur la version wordpress 5.6.2, je ne trouve pas cette ligne de code dans le wp-config ?
Merci pour cet article.
Emilie
Bonjour Lycia,
Je viens de finir une refonte de site dans un sous-domaine et j’avais installé une police personnalisée dans Divi : le Faune (http://www.cnap.graphismeenfrance.fr/faune/). Tout fonctionnait bien mais lorsque j’ai déposé les fichiers à la racine du domaine, les polices ont sauté et je n’arrive pas à les rétablir. J’ai vérifié via le FTP : elles sont bien présentes dans le dossier fontes (.ttf et .otf). As-tu une idée ?
Merci d’avance pour tes lumières.
Sandrine
PS. Le site en question est ‘atelierdelta.eu’. Sur la page d’accueil, on peut voir un exemple d’italique dans le bloc du haut. Les fonds aussi ont disparus mais je les ai rétablis sur la page d’accueil et sur le page espace Public…
Désolée, j’avais mal lu, il faut lui ajouter cette ligne de code,
vous pouvez supprimer mon commentaire si vous voulez.
Merci encore pour votre site.
OK Super !
Salut Granon, c’est bizarre. Il y avait peut-être un problème de mise en cache ? C’est rentré dans l’ordre depuis ?
J’ai installé les polices à nouveau et tout est rentré dans l’ordre. Merci.
Super !
Merci pour le tutoriel ! Il fonctionne à merveille !
Super !
Bonjour,
Je voulais essayé de suivre votre tuto pour personnaliser ma typographie : mais dans le 5.3 – Définir une police personnalisée par défaut moi je tombe sur un side-barre « vide » j’ai juste un onglet widget qui est vide…
Est-ce que j’ai fait une erreur qui empêche les paramètres généraux de s’afficher?
En vous remerciant pour ce que vous faites et du temps que vous allez m’accorder,
Cordialement
François
Great article, super helpful!
Thank you Hank !
Bonjour François, il faut bien aller à l’onglet Apparence > Personnaliser > Paramètres généraux > Typographie. Il n’y a pas de Widget ici.
Bonjour,
Ma police n’apparait pas sur le mobile mais je la bien sur les autres écrans.
Savez-vous d’où ça pourrait venir ?
J’ai mis la police avec la méthode font-face
Merci d’avance
Bonjour Emilie, c’est bizarre. Peut-être as-tu un plugin de cache qui empêche cela ?
Bonjour Lycia,
Merci pour votre réponse.
En effet cela venait du plugin 🙂
Bonjour. Merci encore une fois pour ce super article. Vous êtes devenue ma référence. Bravo pour votre boulot.
J’ai une question. J’ai déjà installé une police en otf. Vous recommandez d’installer au moins deux formats. Comment rajouter le format ttf si possible sans avoir à rentrer dans le code? Sinon il me faudrait desinstaller ma police et la réinstaller avec les deux formats. Est-ce vraiment nécessaire si la version otf semble bien fonctionner sur différents navigateurs?
Merci pour votre réponse.
Bonjour,
Je ne sais pas si mon précédent commentaire a bien été enregistré.
J’ai déjà téléchargé ma police en otf et elle s’affiche bien sur les navigateurs mentionnées dans le tableau plus haut. Est-il malgré tout indispensable que je charge la version ttf sur le site? Si oui, comment faire pour la rajouter sans avoir à supprimer celle déjà installé? Ai-je une solution qui m’éviterait de rentrer dans le code du site svp? J’avoue que tout fonctionne et que j’aimerais éviter des manipulations que je ne maitriserai pas mais votre article m’interpelle.
Merci pour votre réponse.
Pardon Isabelle, je t’ai répondu par email. Non, c’est bon, le fichier OTF est suffisant normalement. Si tout fonctionne, pas besoin du TTF
Non, si tout fonctionne, pas besoin du second fichier.
Thank you so much for your help! Before reading your guide, I couldn’t even upload files downloaded directly from Google Fonts – I was going to rip my hair out!!!
I followed ‘5.4.2 – Solution #2: correct with an extension’ – the Mime Types Plus plugin is so easy to use.
Thank you so much again!
Un tout grand merci pour ton article. J’avais justement le problème avec le message d’erreur et grâce à toi, j’ai eu l’occasion de télécharger le plugin nécessaire pour lever se problème.
Merci 🙂
Super
Bonjour Lycia,
J’espère que tu vas bien.
Doit-on obligatoirement désactiver Google Font pour télécharger de nouvelles polices ? Car lorsque je tente d’en télécharger, je reçois ce message d’erreur : « Désolé, ce type de fichier n’est pas autorisé pour des raisons de sécurité. »
Merci pour ton aide !
Salut Mathilde, non il ne faut pas les désactiver. Mais à voir ton commentaire je comprends que tu n’as pas lu mon tutoriel en entier 😉
Great ! Thank you 😉