How do I code fonts to make them available for all users?

Question

My fonts appear differently on different computers!?

I'm developing a website, and Helvetica seems to appear as Arial on some computers...

What code (CSS or HTML) could I use to make the font available to all users?

Answer 1

You can't use any old font unless it's first converted to a gif or Jpg. Here is a list of Web friendly fonts. Stick to them and don't try to reinvent the wheel. There's enough there to last a lifetime. The worst thing you can do is expect people to download fonts just because you like them.

http://www.ampsoft.net/webdesign-l/WindowsMacFonts.html

I don't want that to sound rude, but it's the first thing you must learn to live with as a web designer.

Answer 2

You would have to, in effect, load a font. For example, mi esposa has a website which involves a font called "Tall Paul" ... and not too many folks have it! If she wanted it to be most assuredly be displayed on ALL computers and in ALL browsers, then she'd (I'd) have to do something about pushing a copy of the font into the website file ... and I'm not sure, I know how to do that! I suppose we COULD load that part of the website as a pre-printed image.