WOFF vs WOFF2: Which Should You Use?

Side-by-side comparison of WOFF and WOFF2 font formats — features, pros, cons, and conversion options.

Quick Answer

WOFF is best for Web font delivery (legacy browser support). WOFF2 is best for Modern web font delivery.

Quick Verdict

WOFF Best for Web font delivery (legacy browser support)

✓ Web-optimized with compression
✓ Metadata and licensing support
✓ Broad browser support
✗ Larger than WOFF2

Convert WOFF to WOFF2 →

WOFF2 Best for Modern web font delivery

✓ Best web font compression (30%+ smaller than WOFF)
✓ Fast decompression
✓ Modern browser standard
✗ Not for desktop use

Convert WOFF2 to WOFF →

Specs Comparison

Side-by-side technical comparison of WOFF and WOFF2

Feature	WOFF	WOFF2
Category	Font	Font
Year Introduced	2009	2014
MIME Type	font/woff	font/woff2
Extensions	.woff	.woff2
Outline Type	TrueType or PostScript/CFF	TrueType or PostScript/CFF
Web Optimized	✓	✓
Variable Font	✓	✓
Compression	✓	✓

Pros & Cons

WOFF

Pros

✓ Web-optimized with compression
✓ Metadata and licensing support
✓ Broad browser support

Cons

✗ Larger than WOFF2
✗ Not for desktop use
✗ Being superseded by WOFF2

WOFF2

Pros

✓ Best web font compression (30%+ smaller than WOFF)
✓ Fast decompression
✓ Modern browser standard

Cons

✗ Not for desktop use
✗ Not supported in very old browsers
✗ Brotli compression overhead for creation

When to Use Each

Choose WOFF when...

You need files optimized for Web font delivery (legacy browser support)
Web-optimized with compression
Metadata and licensing support

Choose WOFF2 when...

You need files optimized for Modern web font delivery
Best web font compression (30%+ smaller than WOFF)
Fast decompression

How to Convert

Convert between WOFF and WOFF2 for free on ChangeThisFile

Convert WOFF to WOFF2 Server-side conversion — auto-deleted after processing Convert WOFF2 to WOFF Server-side conversion — auto-deleted after processing

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between WOFF and WOFF2?

WOFF is best for Web font delivery (legacy browser support), while WOFF2 is best for Modern web font delivery. Both are font formats but they differ in compression, compatibility, and intended use cases.

Is WOFF or WOFF2 better for font?

It depends on your use case. WOFF is better for Web font delivery (legacy browser support). WOFF2 is better for Modern web font delivery. Consider your specific requirements when choosing between them.

How do I convert WOFF to WOFF2?

Go to the WOFF to WOFF2 converter on ChangeThisFile. Upload your file and the conversion processes on the server, then auto-deletes. It's free with no signup required.

Can I convert WOFF2 to WOFF?

Yes. ChangeThisFile supports WOFF2 to WOFF conversion. Upload your file for server-side conversion — files are auto-deleted after processing.

Which is smaller, WOFF or WOFF2?

File size varies depending on the content, compression method, and quality settings of each format. In general, lossy formats produce smaller files than lossless ones. Test with your specific files to compare actual sizes.

Does WOFF have the same features as WOFF2?

WOFF and WOFF2 share some features but differ in others. Check the feature comparison table above for a detailed side-by-side breakdown.

Is WOFF or WOFF2 free to use?

Both WOFF and WOFF2 are supported file formats that are free to use. You can convert between them for free on ChangeThisFile — server-side conversions are free with no signup required.

Which format is newer, WOFF or WOFF2?

WOFF2 is newer — it was introduced in 2014, while WOFF dates back to 2009. Newer formats often offer better compression and features, but older formats tend to have wider compatibility.