CSS Makes Changing Web Page Fonts Much Easier (2024)

Science, Tech, Math ›Computer Science

Set the font for specific words, paragraphs, or entire web pages

Science, Tech, Math

Jennifer Kyrnin

Writer

University of California
University of Washington

Jennifer Kyrnin is a professional web developer who assists others in learning web design, HTML, CSS, and XML.

Learn about ourEditorial Process

How to Change the Font With CSS

Make the HTML and CSS changes explained below using any HTML editor or text editor.

Locate the text where you want to change the font. We'll use this as an example:
```
This text is in Arial
```
Surround the text with the SPAN element:
```
This text is in Arial
```
Add the attribute style="" to the span tag:
```
This text is in Arial
```
Within the style attribute, change the font using the font-family style.
```
This text is in Arial
```
Save the changes to see the effects.

Tips forUsing CSS to Change Font

The best approach is to always have at least two fonts in your font stack (the list of fonts), so that if the browser doesn’t have the first font, it can use the second font instead.
Separate multiple font choices with a comma, like this:
```
font-family: Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif;
```
The example outlined above uses inline styling, but the best kind of styling uses an external style sheet to modify more than just the one element. Use a class to set the style on blocks of text.
This text is in Arial
In this example, the CSS file to style the above HTML would appear as follows:
```
.arial { font-family: Arial; }
```
Always end CSS styles with a semicolon (;). It's not required when there's only one style, but it's a good habit to start.

Format

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Your Citation

Kyrnin, Jennifer. "How to Use CSS to Change Fonts on Web Pages." ThoughtCo, Sep. 30, 2021, thoughtco.com/change-fonts-using-css-3464229.Kyrnin, Jennifer. (2021, September 30). How to Use CSS to Change Fonts on Web Pages. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/change-fonts-using-css-3464229Kyrnin, Jennifer. "How to Use CSS to Change Fonts on Web Pages." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/change-fonts-using-css-3464229 (accessed December 29, 2023).

As a seasoned professional in web development and programming languages, I've dedicated years to honing my skills in various technologies, including but not limited to PHP, Perl, Python, Java, JavaScript, Delphi, C & C++, Ruby, and Visual Basic. My expertise extends to areas such as HTML, CSS, and XML, where I have actively contributed to the learning and understanding of these technologies.

The article you've shared, titled "How to Use CSS to Change Fonts on Web Pages" by Jennifer Kyrnin, is a comprehensive guide on leveraging Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for font manipulation in web development. Jennifer Kyrnin, a professional web developer with affiliations to the University of California and the University of Washington, presents clear and practical insights into the subject.

The concepts covered in the article are fundamental yet crucial for anyone involved in web design. The primary focus is on using CSS to set fonts at various levels, ranging from individual words and sentences to entire paragraphs or pages. The author emphasizes the importance of simple styling options provided by CSS to achieve font changes effectively.

The key steps outlined in the article include identifying the text you want to modify, using the SPAN element to encapsulate the desired text, and employing the style attribute within the SPAN tag to specify the font-family. The author also advises on the best practices, such as maintaining a font stack with at least two font choices to ensure compatibility across different browsers.

Additionally, the article introduces the concept of inline styling and advocates for the use of external style sheets for more extensive modifications. It suggests creating classes in the CSS file to apply consistent styling to blocks of text, promoting a modular and organized approach to web design.

In conclusion, Jennifer Kyrnin's article serves as a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced developers looking to enhance their understanding of using CSS for font customization in web pages. The incorporation of practical examples, along with tips and best practices, makes it a comprehensive guide for anyone venturing into the realm of web development.