How can I make fonts render consistently in Webflow preview and browser compared to my design in Figma/Sketch using custom CSS code?
- Match font family, weight, size, line height, and spacing exactly between Webflow and your design tool.
- Add custom CSS in Webflow for font smoothing and rendering using specific properties like -webkit-font-smoothing and text-rendering.
- Use exact pixel values instead of em/rem, and load fonts correctly using Webflow's uploader or trusted external services.
Font rendering often appears different between Webflow and design tools like Figma or Sketch due to browser rendering engines, font settings, and antialiasing techniques. You can improve consistency using custom CSS settings in Webflow.
1. Understand the Rendering Differences
- Figma and Sketch use different rendering engines (usually macOS native rendering).
- Browsers use their own rendering (e.g., Blink for Chrome, WebKit for Safari).
- Fonts may differ based on hinting, anti-aliasing, and weight interpretation.
2. Match Font Properties Precisely
- Ensure you’re using the exact same font family, weight, and line height in Webflow as in your design tool.
- Cross-check the font file version for local fonts.
- Set Webflow to use custom fonts if you're using a local font in Figma not already hosted in Webflow.
3. Apply Custom CSS for Smoother Rendering
Use custom CSS in Webflow to improve font rendering. Here's how:
Go to Page Settings or Inside the
<head>of your site in Project Settings > Custom Code.Add this CSS in the Inside
<style>tags:```css
```
-webkit-font-smoothing and -moz-osx-font-smoothing improve clarity, especially on macOS.
text-rendering: optimizeLegibility enhances kerning and ligature consistency.
4. Use Exact Pixel Values
- Avoid using em/rem units for font sizes and line heights if your design uses strict pixel values.
- Match letter spacing (tracking) and line height exactly to your design tool.
- Turn off auto line height if used in Webflow; manually set values instead.
5. Ensure Proper Font Loading
- Fonts rendering differently could be caused by FOUT (Flash of Unstyled Text).
- Use Webflow’s native font uploader or an external provider like Google Fonts or Adobe Fonts.
- If using custom fonts, prefer formats like .woff or .woff2 for better browser consistency.
6. Avoid System Font Overrides
- Check if a browser or OS override is being applied (e.g., macOS applying system font smoothing).
- In Webflow, set an explicit font-family for each text element to avoid fallback to system defaults.
Summary
To make fonts render more consistently between Webflow, browser, and design tools like Figma or Sketch, (1) match font settings exactly, (2) use custom CSS for antialiasing and rendering improvements, and (3) load fonts properly using Webflow’s tools. These steps help reduce visual discrepancies caused by different rendering engines.