Font hinting

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A font test with (lower rows) and without hinting (upper rows) at 100% (above) and 400% (below). Note the improved edge contrast with the hinted text but improved character shape in the unhinted text.

Font hinting, also known as grid-fitting, is the process of adjusting an outline font to make it line up with the grid to which it is being rasterized. At small sizes or without antialiasing, hinting is critical for producing a legible image. Hints are usually created in a font editor during the typeface design process and embedded in the font, but FreeType uses an autohinter when such hints are not present or their use is restricted by patent.

A font can be hinted either automatically or manually. Most font editors are able to do automatic hinting, and this approach is suitable for many fonts. However commercial fonts of the highest quality are hand-hinted to provide the absolute best appearance on computer displays. This is a tedious and time-consuming art practiced by only a few typographers and can be done only with professional-level tools such as FontLab Studio.