What is the PFB file format?
A .pfb file is the binary-packaged form of an Adobe PostScript Type 1 font - the Windows-native delivery format for the same outline data distributed as .pfa (ASCII) on Unix. Type 1 is Adobe's original scalable font format, introduced in 1985 with the PostScript language and the Apple LaserWriter.
The .pfb binary wrapper uses a three-segment structure, each segment preceded by the 0x80 leader byte: an ASCII segment (0x80 0x01) carrying the PostScript font dictionary and glyph names; a binary segment (0x80 0x02) holding charstring outlines encrypted with Adobe's eexec cipher; and an end-of-file segment (0x80 0x03). The eexec scheme is a simple XOR-based cipher used for compaction, not security - it makes the binary section roughly half the size of the hex-encoded equivalent in .pfa.
On Windows, a .pfb must be accompanied by a companion .pfm (Printer Font Metrics) file to install correctly. macOS historically used LWFN suitcase files; Linux used .pfa via Ghostscript and fontconfig. Adobe ended Type 1 support in January 2023, marking the definitive close of the format's era. Modern workflows use OpenType (.otf or .ttf), which employs the successor Type 2 charstring format inside a CFF table.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWPFB files contain only font outline data and cannot execute code on their own. They are safe to open in FontForge or install via Windows Fonts. As with any file from the internet, verify the source - download fonts only from reputable foundries or repositories (Google Fonts, Adobe Fonts, legitimate commercial foundries). The eexec encryption in the binary segment is not a security mechanism and does not indicate malicious content.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open PFB files
Windows4 apps
CorelDRAW
Paid CorelDRAW can use installed PFB fonts. Modern versions prefer OpenType, but legacy PFBs work via the system font installer. 
AutoCAD
Paid AutoCAD can use system-installed PostScript Type 1 fonts. Direct PFB use is legacy; prefer SHX or TTF/OTF for new drawings. 
FontForge
Open-source File > Open to inspect and edit the PFB font; File > Generate Fonts to export to OTF/TTF. 
Windows Fonts (Control Panel)
Built-in Right-click the .pfb file (with .pfm in the same folder) > Install. Windows 11 still supports Type 1 installation. 
macOS1 app
Linux1 app
FontForge
Open-source fontforge font.pfb to open and edit. Available in all major distro repositories. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Binary-wrapped PostScript Type 1 font outline file |
| Encoding | Binary PFB wrapper around ASCII PostScript code and encrypted binary charstrings |
| Byte order | Little-endian (PFB segment length fields) |
| Magic bytes | 80 01 at offset 0 (PFB ASCII segment leader byte) |
| Segment types | 0x80 0x01 = ASCII font dictionary, 0x80 0x02 = binary charstrings, 0x80 0x03 = EOF |
| Charstring encryption | eexec XOR cipher (Adobe Type 1 standard) - compaction, not security |
| Size vs PFA | Approximately 50% smaller than equivalent .pfa (binary vs hex-encoded sections) |
| Companion file | Requires .pfm (Printer Font Metrics) on Windows for correct installation |
| Typical file size | 20 KB - 300 KB per font file |
| Encryption | None (eexec is a compaction scheme, not a security mechanism) |
| Platform | Windows (with .pfm); Linux via Ghostscript/fontconfig; macOS used LWFN historically |
| End of life | Adobe ended Type 1 support January 2023 |
| Successor format | OpenType (.otf/.ttf) with CFF/Type 2 charstrings |
| Legacy context | Found in pre-2000s print workflows, older PostScript output pipelines, and archived PDF documents |
| Released | 1985 (PostScript Type 1 font format, Apple LaserWriter) |
| Latest version | No new version; format frozen. Adobe ended support for Type 1 fonts January 2023. |
| Open standard | Yes · royalty-free |
| Specification | adobe-type-tools.github.io |
PFB conversions
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about PFB files.
