Buying a font is not quite like buying a song or a photo. What you actually purchase is a license, which is permission to use the font in specific ways. Misunderstanding licensing is one of the most common and costly mistakes in design, so here is a plain-English guide.

You are buying usage rights, not the font itself When you buy a font, you do not own the design outright. You buy the right to use it within the terms of a license. Those terms define where and how you may use the typeface, and they vary from one license to another.

The common license types - Desktop license: lets you install the font on your computer to create static designs like logos, posters, and PDFs. This is what most people need. - Web font license: required to embed a font on a website using web font technology. It is usually priced by monthly page views. - App and game license: covers embedding a font inside software or a mobile app. - Ebook and broadcast licenses: cover embedding type in digital publications or video.

Watch the seat and usage limits Many licenses limit how many computers, or seats, may use the font, and how many people work at your company. Larger teams need larger licenses. Read the cap before you buy.

Personal versus commercial use Some fonts are free for personal projects but require a paid license the moment you make money. If your project is for a business or client, assume you need a commercial license.

When in doubt, ask Independent designers are usually happy to clarify or offer extended licenses for unusual uses. Buying the right license up front protects you legally and supports the person who made the font.