Home·File extensions

.pfb

Fonts · application/x-font-type1

Opens with

FontForgeFont Book

The shapes of letters. Install one and every program on the machine can use it.

MIME typeapplication/x-font-type1
CategoryFonts
Opens in a browserNo
Plain textNo
Registered typeUnofficial (x-)

How to read this

  • An extension is a label, not the contents. Rename a file to .png and if the bytes inside are JPEG, it is still a JPEG.
  • A MIME type is how the internet names a file kind. Browsers look at that value, not the extension, to decide whether to display or download.
  • A MIME type starting with x- was never registered as a standard. Plenty are in wide use, but they are not official names.
  • Video extensions name a container. The same .mp4 may play on one device and not another, depending on the codec inside.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is a .pfb file?

It belongs to the fonts category and its MIME type is application/x-font-type1. The contents are binary, so opening it in a text editor shows garbage.

Q. What opens a .pfb file?

FontForge, Font Book all handle it. In a browser it does not display — the browser downloads it instead.

Q. What is the MIME type of .pfb?

application/x-font-type1. The first half, application, names the broad kind; the second half, x-font-type1, names the exact format. It starts with x-, which means it was never registered as a standard.

Q. Can I convert a .pfb file to another format?

Yes — open it and re-save through a converter. Renaming alone changes only the label; the bytes stay put, and programs that check the real format may refuse to open it.

Q. My .pfb file will not open.

First check that FontForge is installed. If it still fails, the download may have been cut short, or the file may only be named .pfb while holding a different format inside.

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