How to Customize Fonts in Block Themes using Font Library

Introduction

With the release of WordPress 6.5, a new Font Library feature was introduced, allowing users to easily integrate and manage Google Fonts directly within their WordPress themes. This addition is particularly beneficial for block themes, enhancing the customization of typography without relying on external plugins or manual code adjustments. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of which themes support the Font Library, how to use this feature, and how to apply newly installed fonts to your website.

What Themes Support the Font Library?

The Font Library feature in WordPress 6.5 is designed to be compatible primarily with block themes. Block themes are themes that fully utilize the WordPress Site Editor (Full Site Editor) for all parts of the website, including headers, footers, and content areas. These themes are inherently more flexible and adaptable to the integration of new features like the Font Library.

In case you are not sure if you have a block theme or not, this can be easily determined whether there is a “Edit Site” link in the admin bar when viewing your website or if you have an “Editor” section under the Appearance menu in the Dashboard:

If you are using a classic theme or one that does not support full site editing, you may need to consider switching to a block theme to take advantage of this feature.

How to Use the Font Library

Using the Font Library in WordPress 6.5 is straightforward. Here’s how you can add new Google Fonts to your block theme:

Access the Site Editor:

Go to your WordPress dashboard.
Navigate to ‘Appearance‘ and then ‘Editor‘. This section is only visible if you use a Block Theme.

Access the Styles > Typography section:

In the Site Editor interface, click on the Styles icon in the top right corner.
You will see a section called Typography from where you can customize your fonts or add new ones.
Look for the “Manage Fonts” icon. Clicking this icon will open the Font Library.
You will see a list of fonts already integrated in your theme. To add new fonts, go to the Install Fonts tab. You can browse or search for a specific font.
Select the font you wish to add. Click ‘Install’ to integrate it into your theme.

How to Use Installed Fonts

Once you have added fonts to your library, applying them to your site is possible in different ways:

Apply Fonts to Theme Elements:

Return to the ‘Typography‘ in the Styles section from the Site Editor.
Here, you can assign your newly added fonts to different elements of your site such as headings, body text, or buttons.

Apply Fonts to Individual Blocks:

Whether you are in the Site Editor or making changes to a post or page, click on the block where you want to change the fonts.
Click on the Block settings in the right sidebar and look for a section called Typography.
Click on the 3 dots next to the Typography
Select the Font Family option, as sometimes this hidden by default
Now you can see the option to change the Font Family for the needed block or element

Conclusion

The introduction of the Font Library in WordPress 6.5 simplifies the process of incorporating and managing Google Fonts in block themes. By following the steps outlined above, you can enhance the typography of your WordPress site, providing a more personalized and professional appearance. Remember to keep your theme updated and check for Font Library compatibility to make the most of this feature.