afm

.afm — Adobe Font Metrics

Adobe · 1990

Developer
Adobe
Category
Fonts
MIME Type
application/font-metrics
First Released
1990
Open Format
Yes
File Signature
Not applicable, as AFM is a plain text format without a specific magic byte sequence.
At a Glance
.afm
Adobe Font Metrics

An Adobe Font Metrics file contains detailed character spacing and kerning information for PostScript fonts, used for precise typesetting.

Reviewed on June 8, 2026
Compression
Plain text
Transparency
N/A
Editability
High
Best for
Font metrics and kerning data

Key Features

  • Contains character metrics (width, height, spacing).
  • Includes kerning pair information for improved typography.
  • Works alongside PostScript Type 1 font files.
  • Plain text format, making it readable and editable.

Best For

  • Accurate typesetting with PostScript Type 1 fonts.
  • Detailed typographic control, especially kerning.
  • Maintaining compatibility with older printing systems.
  • Providing font metric data independent of the font file itself.

Less Ideal For

  • Storing the actual font data (use PFB/PFM instead).
  • Modern web font embedding (use WOFF/WOFF2).
  • Use on systems that don't support PostScript Type 1.
  • Vector graphics or illustration editing.

Common Use Cases

  • Ensuring accurate character spacing in desktop publishing.
  • Setting up professional print jobs with PostScript fonts.
  • Maintaining typographic consistency in legacy workflows.
  • Providing font metric data to rendering engines.

How to Open It

  1. Open with a text editor (like Notepad or TextEdit) to view raw metric data.
  2. Font management software like Fontographer or FontLab can read and process AFM files.
  3. Some older desktop publishing applications (e.g., early versions of QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign) may use them alongside Type 1 fonts.
  4. Graphics software supporting PostScript Type 1 fonts might indirectly utilize AFM data for layout.

What is a .afm file?

Adobe Font Metrics (AFM) files are companion files to PostScript Type 1 fonts, containing essential information about the font's character metrics, spacing, and kerning pairs. They do not contain the actual font data but rather the design specifications needed for accurate typesetting. AFM files are primarily used by older desktop publishing and printing systems to ensure correct font rendering and layout, especially in environments where the actual font file might not be directly accessible or embedded. While less common now with modern font formats, they remain relevant for legacy systems and specific professional printing workflows.

Programs That Open .afm Files

PlatformProgram
WindowsNotepad++Free
FontLabPaid
macOSTextEditFreeOfficial
FontographerPaid
LinuxgeditFree
FontForgeFree

Common Problems with .afm Files

⚠️ AFM files alone do not contain font glyphs and cannot be used to render text.
Ensure you have the corresponding PostScript Type 1 font file (e.g., .pfb) along with the .afm file for proper font usage.
⚠️ Modern operating systems and applications may not directly support AFM files.
Use font management software or specific DTP applications that are designed to work with legacy font formats like PostScript Type 1 and AFM.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an AFM file and a PFM/PFB file?▼

An AFM file contains the font's metric and kerning information, while PFM/PFB files contain the actual font outline data needed to draw the characters.

Can I use an AFM file on the web?▼

AFM files are not directly usable as web fonts. You should use modern web font formats like WOFF or WOFF2 for web use.

Do I need an AFM file if I have a TTF or OTF font?▼

No, TrueType (TTF) and OpenType (OTF) fonts embed metric and kerning data directly within their own files, making separate metric files like AFM unnecessary for these formats.

Technical Details

AFM files are plain text files that describe the geometric properties of characters within a PostScript font. They define metrics like character width, italic slant, and bounding box. Crucially, they also include kerning pairs, specifying adjustments needed between certain letter combinations to improve visual spacing. These files work in tandem with the actual Type 1 font file (often .pfb or .pfm) to enable accurate font output.

Did You Know?

AFM files were essential for the early success of desktop publishing by enabling precise control over PostScript typography.
The plain text nature of AFM files allowed for manual editing of kerning tables by typographers.

Security Information

AFM files are plain text and generally do not pose a direct security risk. However, always ensure that any font files associated with an AFM are from trusted sources to avoid potential malware.