# What is an embedded font?

Source: https://epublab.com/glossary/embedded-font/ (updated 2026-11-03)

An embedded font is a font file (often only the glyphs used) stored inside a PDF or an EPUB, so the text displays the same on any device. In EPUB it is declared with @font-face in the CSS.

## Why it matters when you convert a PDF to EPUB

PDF fonts are usually subsets with licences that may not allow re-use, and the reader's own fonts read better on an e-ink screen anyway. A converter normally leaves PDF fonts behind and keeps only emphasis (bold, italic) and structure, embedding a font only when a script needs it.