> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://handbook.musescore.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/fonts.md). # Fonts *To change the appearance of Musescore user interface, see* [*Preferences*](/3/advanced-topics/preferences.md) *instead.*\ \&#xNAN;*To edit sound samples, see* [*SoundFonts and SFZ files*](/3/sound-and-playback/soundfonts-and-sfz-files.md) *instead.* ## Overview A [computer font (font family, font face, typeface)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_font) is a digital data file containing a set of characters or symbols. This chapter discusses score object's font assignment method and option and others. Usage of font data depends on, * object type (see ["Text"](#formatting-of-text) and ["Non-Text"](#formatting-of-non-text) sections, and [Notation types](/3/notation/notation-types.md) and [Text types](/3/text/text-types.md) chapters); and * character type (see ["Text"](#formatting-of-text) section). Font file *cannot* be embedded into [a score file](/3/advanced-topics/file-formats.md#musescore-native-format). ## Formatting of Text [Musescore Text object](/3/text/text-types.md) contains individual characters that can be entered and removed by using (typing on) a computer keyboard. Some subtypes have specialized automatic formatting feature eg [chord symbol rendering style](/3/text/chord-notation-systems.md) and [Roman Numeral Analysis auto formatting](/3/text/chord-notation-systems.md#roman-numeral-analysis). Characters in a Text object are either plain or special characters. ## Plain characters Plain characters, entered using a computer keyboard. ## Special characters Musical text and symbols (special characters, professional glyphs) that are not on computer keyboard *should* be added from **Symbols and special characters → Common Symbols and Musical Symbols tabs** in [Text editing mode](/3/text/text-editing.md#symbols-and-special-characters), or using [Keyboard shortcuts](/3/appendix/keyboard-shortcuts.md). eg Segno, Coda, ottavas, dynamics etc among other pre-configured [Palette](/3/basics/palettes.md) items. They are not unicode characters. Special internal encodings such as \ are used to provide * musically coherent impact eg the special augmentation dot is required to use [Tempo marking](/3/sound-and-playback/tempo.md)'s "Follow text" function; and * [global "Musical text" font switching](#special-characters-inside-text-non-text). Advanced users can add [plain characters](#plain-characters) that look like special characters but do not have these program features. They are under [unicode Private Use Area (PUA)](https://w.wiki/8Hdd) and can be added from **Symbols and special characters →Unicode tab** in [Text editing mode](/3/text/text-editing.md#symbols-and-special-characters), and under [**Master palette**](/3/advanced-topics/master-palette.md) **→ Symbol category**. ## Formatting of Non-Text Score objects are not [Musescore Text](/3/text/text-types.md) if they cannot be edited using (typing on) a computer keyboard. ## Font assignment and option ## Plain characters inside Text *Font assignment* in [Inspector](/3/basics/inspector.md) (musescore 3), [Properties panel](https://musescore.org/en/handbook/4/properties-panel) (musescore 4), **Format → Style → \[item]** and **Format → Style → Text Styles → \[item]**. See the [Layout and formatting](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md) and [Text styles and properties](/3/text/text-styles-and-properties.md) chapters. *Font options* can use * [fonts already built into Musescore program](#fonts-shipped-with-musescore), and * fonts installed on the operating system(OS). ## Special characters inside Text; Non-Text Fonts designed specifically for musical notation are required to display them. *Font assignments* of [Text's special characters portions](#special-characters) and [Non-Text](#formatting-of-non-text) are a global setting. Special characters ignore [inspector fontface assignment](#plain-characters). * Under **Format → Style**, * **Musical symbol font**: used by notes, rest symbols, accidentals etc. Font compatible often does **not** have wording "...Text" in its name, eg "MuseJazz". (6 options in musescore 3; 8 options in musescore 4) * **Musical text font**: used by [special characters](#special-characters). Font compatible often has wording "...Text" in its name, eg "MuseJazzText". (6 options in musescore 3; 8 options in musescore 4) * For [Tablature](/3/notation/tablature.md), under [**Staff / Part properties : Advanced Style Properties: settings for tablature staff**](/3/advanced-topics/staff--part-properties.md#advanced-style-properties-for-tablature-staff-type-2), * **"Fret Marks" tab**: used by fret marks. (8 options) . * **"Note Values" tab**: used by "Note symbols" (5 options) . * [Figured bass](/3/advanced-topics/figured-bass.md) (1 option, the *MuseScore Figured Bass*). *Font options* can use * [fonts already built into Musescore program](#fonts-shipped-with-musescore), and * a more updated version of those files installed on the OS (sharing the same file name. See below), * but not new fonts installed on the OS directly. Using updated font version is covered in , and . Score files (\*.mscz) using them may render poorly on other machines, because the modified font files are not embedded into the score file. To install a new font file onto an OS, refer to the [instructions written for that OS](https://www.google.com/search?q=install+font+operating+system). Valid for [Musescore 3.6.2](/3/getting-started/download-and-installation/musescore-musescore-3-musescore-studio-4.md) only. [How can I add third party SMuFL Fonts?](https://musescore.org/en/node/347645) covers how to use a 3.7 [fork](https://w.wiki/8HbA) to use fonts installed on the OS directly. ## Default font * Default [Chord symbols](/3/text/chord-notation-systems.md#chord-symbol-text) font is *Edwin*, except on score [created with any of the Jazz templates (eg Jazz Lead Sheet)](/3/basics/create-a-new-score.md#create-new-score) where the default is *MuseJazzText* instead. * Default [Roman Numeral Analysis](/3/text/chord-notation-systems.md#roman-numeral-analysis) font is [*Campania*](https://github.com/MarcSabatella/Campania) . Musescore relies on OpenType formatting functionailty provided by Campania for correct RNA foramtting. * Default "Musical symbol font" is *Leland* (musescore 3.6.2) * Default "Musical text font" is *Leland Text* ## Fonts shipped with Musescore Musescore create in-app user interface, and musical symbols and notation on score, with data content from font files. Some fonts are invented by Musescore project development team for Musescore and maintained by the team. Some fonts are from other companies, the team does not edit their content at all. Read the readme file . Musescore software development focuses on engraving creation, based on real world notation popularity and significance, it does not aim to create support for every symbols included in any one particular font. Musescore program is shipped with a limited set of font due to licensing reason. *Emmentaler* has been renamed as *"mscore"* after musescore 3.6.2 ## Standard Music Font Layout (SMuFL) Standard Music Font Layout (SMuFL) is a standard way of mapping the thousands of musical symbols required by conventional music notation, to the code-points of Private Use Area (PUA, [wikipedia](https://w.wiki/8Hdd)) in Unicode's Basic Multilingual Plane. It improves font format independence. The SMuFL standard itself is not managed by the Musescore project development team. ["Musical text"](#special-characters) is a component of Musescore's implementation, the internal encoding schema does not conform to any standard, research the [musescore 3.6.2 archived source code](https://github.com/fp22june/MuseScoreTag362/tree/master/fonts) ## Other useful methods to create desired engraving * [Noteheads](/3/advanced-topics/notehead-schemes/noteheads.md) and notehead schemes * [Staff / Part properties](/3/advanced-topics/staff--part-properties.md) for Tablature elements * [Plugins](/3/advanced-topics/plugins.md) that analyze notes and add musical symbols such as fingering diagrams are available at . * The MuseScore Drumline extension also contains extra pictograms, to download see [Language, translations, and extensions](/3/getting-started/language-translations-and-extensions.md). ## See also * [Instruments, staff setup and templates](/3/basics/instruments.md) * [Layout and formatting](/3/formatting/layout-and-formatting.md) : styles and reuse * [Master palette](/3/advanced-topics/master-palette.md) * [How can I add third party SMuFL Fonts?](https://musescore.org/en/node/347645) * * The numeric glyphs used on multimeasure rests (see [Measure rests](/3/notation/measure-rests.md) chapter) when **Format > Style > Musical symbol font** set to "MuseJazz" is **not** used on numbers (0-9) entered into Musescore [Text](https://github.com/shoogle/Handbook/blob/3/docs/text/README.md) objects with Font family set to "MuseJazz Text", see workaround by worldwideweary using "Lily Jazz" font on [Font Question](https://musescore.org/en/node/363117) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://handbook.musescore.org/3/advanced-topics/fonts.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.