118

.118 — HP LaserJet Printer Font File

Hewlett-Packard · 1984

Developer
Hewlett-Packard
Category
Fonts
MIME Type
application/octet-stream
First Released
1984
Open Format
No
File Signature
Not consistently defined; usually identified by context or accompanying PCL commands.
At a Glance
.118
HP LaserJet Printer Font File

A proprietary font file format used by older HP LaserJet printers.

Reviewed on April 28, 2026
Compression
Varies
Transparency
N/A
Editability
Low
Best for
Legacy HP printing

Key Features

  • Printer-specific font data for HP LaserJet models.
  • Enabled on-demand text rendering for faster printing.
  • Contained bitmap or outline font definitions.
  • Proprietary format, largely obsolete today.

Best For

  • Maintaining compatibility with very old HP LaserJet printers.
  • Archiving font sets used with legacy printing systems.

Less Ideal For

  • Modern digital documents and desktop publishing.
  • Cross-platform font sharing and web use.
  • Scalable vector graphics or complex typography.
  • Any application not specifically designed for legacy HP printers.

Common Use Cases

  • Storing custom fonts for early HP LaserJet printers.
  • Enabling specific text styles and characters in printed documents.
  • Reducing the amount of data sent to the printer during print jobs.

How to Open It

  1. These files are not intended to be opened directly by users or standard applications.
  2. They are loaded by the HP LaserJet printer's firmware or driver.
  3. If you need to work with the font data, you would typically use specialized font editing tools that can import and convert bitmap font formats, though compatibility might be limited.

What is a .118 file?

The .118 file extension is primarily associated with HP LaserJet printer font files. These files contain bitmap or outline font data specifically designed for use with Hewlett-Packard's LaserJet series of printers. They allowed printers to render text in various styles and sizes without needing to download the entire font set from the computer each time. While these files were crucial for early laser printing, they are largely obsolete today due to advancements in printer technology and the widespread adoption of scalable font formats like TrueType and OpenType.

Programs That Open .118 Files

PlatformProgram
WindowsHP LaserJet Printer Drivers (Legacy)FreeOfficial

Common Problems with .118 Files

⚠️ Cannot open .118 files on modern computers.
These files are printer-specific and not meant for direct user access. If you need the font, look for a modern equivalent or use specialized, potentially outdated, font tools for conversion.
⚠️ Missing font errors when printing old documents.
Ensure the original HP LaserJet printer and its drivers are available, or that the necessary font files were embedded or available on the system during the document's creation and printing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are .118 font files still used today?▼

No, .118 font files are largely obsolete and were specific to older HP LaserJet printers. Modern printers and operating systems use more advanced and scalable font formats.

Can I convert a .118 file to TTF or OTF?▼

Direct conversion is difficult because .118 files often contain bitmap data. Specialized font conversion tools might be able to extract data, but the results may vary in quality and usability.

Technical Details

HP LaserJet font files (.118) typically contain bitmap data that directly maps pixels to characters for a specific printer resolution. Some later versions might have supported outline data. These files were often paired with PCL (Printer Command Language) commands to instruct the printer on how to use the embedded font.

Did You Know?

The .118 format was part of the early push for printers to have their own font storage, reducing reliance on the host computer.
These files represent a significant piece of printing history, enabling graphical text output on laser printers decades ago.

Security Information

.118 files are generally considered safe as they contain font data for specific hardware and are not executable. However, as with any file, avoid downloading them from untrusted sources.