How to Install and Configure Fonts on Ubuntu | Improve Readability with Japanese Fonts!

By 佐川 直弘 | Naohiro Sagawa (運営者)

※記事内に広告を含みます。Amazonアソシエイトとして適格販売により収入を得ています。　

1. Introduction

When you first install Ubuntu, have you ever felt that the fonts are hard to read or that the Japanese fonts look unappealing? This is especially common among users switching from Windows or Mac, as Ubuntu’s default fonts may feel unfamiliar. This happens because Ubuntu comes with a limited set of fonts and renders fonts differently than other operating systems.

Additionally, you might want to install your favorite fonts or add monospaced fonts optimized for programming. While Ubuntu allows you to freely add and modify fonts, setting them up correctly can be tricky if you’re unfamiliar with the process.

In this article, we will explain how to install fonts on Ubuntu in detail. We’ll introduce three different methods, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs:

• Method 1: Install fonts from Ubuntu’s official repository (simple and easy)
• Method 2: Manually add custom fonts
• Method 3: Install specific fonts (such as Windows fonts or programming fonts)

Furthermore, we will also cover how to configure fonts and troubleshoot issues after installation. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to optimize Ubuntu’s font settings for better readability.

Let’s start by looking at the default fonts that come with Ubuntu and where they are stored.

2. Default Fonts and Storage Locations in Ubuntu

Ubuntu comes with several pre-installed fonts by default. However, these fonts are not always optimal, and some users may find Japanese text difficult to read. In this section, we will explore the default fonts available in Ubuntu and where fonts are stored within the system.

2.1 What Are the Default Fonts in Ubuntu?

By default, Ubuntu includes the following fonts:

These fonts serve as Ubuntu’s default system fonts and are used across various applications. However, many users find that the default Noto Sans font makes Japanese text appear too thin or less visually appealing. As a result, some prefer to install alternative fonts such as IPA fonts or Meiryo to enhance readability.

2.2 Where Are Fonts Stored?

In Ubuntu, the location where you install a font determines whether it applies system-wide or only to a specific user.

📌 Key Points:

• To apply a font system-wide: Copy the font to /usr/share/fonts/
• To use a font only for yourself: Place the font in ~/.fonts/
• Fonts must be registered in the system by updating the font cache (explained later)

Additionally, in Ubuntu 20.04 and later versions, the ~/.fonts/ directory may not exist by default. If it is missing, create the directory before adding fonts:

mkdir -p ~/.fonts

2.3 How to Check Installed Fonts

To view a list of fonts currently installed on Ubuntu, run the following command:

fc-list

If you want to search for a specific font, use the grep command:

fc-list | grep "Noto"

For example, this command will list all fonts that contain “Noto” in their name.

Next Steps

Now that we understand Ubuntu’s default fonts and where they are stored, the next section will cover how to install new fonts. We will begin by exploring the easiest method: installing fonts using the apt command.

3. How to Install Fonts on Ubuntu (3 Methods)

There are several ways to install fonts on Ubuntu. In this section, we will introduce three different methods, ranging from a simple installation process for beginners to advanced techniques for installing specific fonts.

• Method 1: Install from the official Ubuntu repository using apt (easy and recommended)
• Method 2: Manually add fonts (for custom fonts)
• Method 3: Install specific fonts (such as Windows fonts or fonts optimized for programming)

3.1 Installing Fonts via the Official Repository (apt)

The easiest way to install fonts on Ubuntu is by using the official repository. The repository includes a wide variety of fonts, including Japanese fonts and commonly used English fonts, making installation quick and straightforward.

3.1.1 Installing IPA Fonts

IPA fonts are high-quality Japanese fonts that are widely used for professional and business purposes. You can install them using the following command:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y fonts-ipafont
fc-cache -fv

📌 Key Points:

• fonts-ipafont is the package containing the IPA fonts.
• Running fc-cache -fv updates the font cache, ensuring the system recognizes the newly installed fonts.

3.1.2 Installing Other Useful Fonts

The Ubuntu repository includes many other fonts besides IPA fonts. You can install multiple fonts at once using the following command:

sudo apt install -y fonts-noto fonts-ubuntu fonts-roboto

This method is beginner-friendly and minimizes installation issues, making it the recommended approach.

3.2 Manually Adding Fonts

If you need to install fonts that are not available in the official repository (e.g., Google Fonts, custom fonts), you can manually add them to Ubuntu.

3.2.1 Downloading the Font

First, download the font you want to install.
For example, to install the “M+ FONTS” Japanese font, follow these steps:

wget https://osdn.net/frs/redir.php?m=kent&f=mplus-fonts%2F62344%2Fmplus-TESTFLIGHT-063a.tar.xz
tar -xf mplus-TESTFLIGHT-063a.tar.xz

3.2.2 Placing the Font in the Correct Directory

Move the downloaded font files (.ttf or .otf) to the appropriate directory.

For a specific user (only available to the current user):

mkdir -p ~/.fonts
mv mplus-TESTFLIGHT-063a/* ~/.fonts/

For all users (system-wide installation):

sudo mv mplus-TESTFLIGHT-063a/* /usr/share/fonts/

3.2.3 Updating the Font Cache

Finally, update the font cache to make the newly added fonts available:

fc-cache -fv

Now, the manually added fonts should be accessible in applications and the system.

3.3 Installing Specific Fonts

Ubuntu does not include certain fonts by default, but you can install them manually. Below are some popular fonts and how to install them.

3.3.1 Installing Meiryo (Windows Font)

Meiryo is a commonly used Japanese font in Windows. To install Windows fonts on Ubuntu, run the following command:

sudo apt install -y ttf-mscorefonts-installer

💡 Note:
During installation, you will be prompted to accept Microsoft’s End User License Agreement (EULA). Press Tab → Enter to accept.

3.3.2 Installing HackGen (Programming Font)

HackGen is a monospaced font optimized for programming. To install it, follow these steps:

mkdir -p ~/.fonts
wget https://github.com/yuru7/HackGen/releases/download/v2.6.1/HackGen_NF_v2.6.1.zip
unzip HackGen_NF_v2.6.1.zip -d ~/.fonts/
fc-cache -fv

HackGen is designed for developers who need a highly readable coding font.

3.4 Summary

There are three main ways to install fonts on Ubuntu, each suited to different needs:

The best method depends on your needs. If you want a simple way to enhance Japanese font readability, use apt. If you need custom fonts for design or programming, consider manually installing fonts.

Next Steps

Now that you have installed fonts on Ubuntu, the next step is configuring and managing them. In the next section, we will explain how to set system-wide fonts, customize fonts in applications, and troubleshoot font issues.

4. Configuring and Managing Fonts

Once you have installed fonts on Ubuntu, the next step is to configure and manage them. Ubuntu allows you to change system-wide font settings or customize fonts for specific applications. In this section, we will cover how to check installed fonts, configure fonts for the system, and customize fonts for individual applications.

4.1 Checking Installed Fonts

After installing new fonts, you may want to confirm that they are correctly recognized by the system.

4.1.1 Listing All Installed Fonts

To display a list of all installed fonts, run the following command:

fc-list

This command will output a list of available fonts registered in the system.

4.1.2 Searching for a Specific Font

If you want to check whether a specific font is installed, use the grep command with fc-list:

fc-list | grep "Noto"

This will list all fonts containing “Noto” in their name.

4.2 Changing System-Wide Fonts

Ubuntu’s desktop environments, such as GNOME and KDE, allow you to modify system-wide font settings.

4.2.1 Changing Fonts in GNOME (Default Ubuntu Desktop)

In GNOME, you can use GNOME Tweaks (formerly GNOME Tweak Tool) to change system fonts. If you haven’t installed it yet, use the following command:

sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

Once installed, open “Tweaks” and navigate to the “Fonts” section to adjust the following settings:

• Interface Font: Used for UI text
• Document Font: Used for general document rendering
• Monospace Font: Used in the terminal and text editors
• Title Bar Font: Used for window title bars

For example, changing the interface font to “Noto Sans JP” can improve Japanese text readability.

4.2.2 Changing Fonts in KDE Plasma (Used in Kubuntu)

If you are using the KDE Plasma desktop environment, you can change system fonts via “System Settings.”

1. Open “System Settings”
2. Go to “Fonts”
3. Modify the font settings for “General,” “Fixed width,” “Toolbar,” etc.
4. Apply the changes and restart the session if necessary

4.3 Customizing Fonts in Applications

Some applications have their own font settings, separate from system-wide configurations. Below, we explain how to customize fonts in popular applications.

4.3.1 Changing Fonts in the Terminal (GNOME Terminal, Konsole)

To change fonts in the terminal, follow these steps:

For GNOME Terminal (Default Ubuntu Terminal):

1. Open the terminal
2. Go to “Preferences” → “Profiles”
3. Enable “Custom font”
4. Select a preferred font (e.g., “HackGen” or “Noto Sans Mono”)

For Konsole (KDE’s Terminal):

1. Go to “Settings” → “Edit Current Profile”
2. Navigate to the “Appearance” tab
3. Select a preferred font

4.3.2 Changing Fonts in Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

For developers, setting a comfortable coding font in VS Code is essential. You can customize fonts by modifying the settings.json file.

1. Open “Settings” → “Text Editor” → “Font Family”
2. For example, to use HackGen, update your settings as follows:

"editor.fontFamily": "'HackGen Console', 'Fira Code', monospace"

3. Save the settings and restart VS Code

4.3.3 Changing Fonts in LibreOffice

LibreOffice, Ubuntu’s default office suite, also allows font customization.

1. Open LibreOffice
2. Go to “Tools” → “Options”
3. Navigate to “LibreOffice” → “Fonts”
4. Set the default font to “Noto Sans JP” or another preferred font
5. Apply changes and restart LibreOffice

4.4 Updating the Font Cache

If newly installed fonts are not being recognized, update the font cache with the following command:

fc-cache -fv

Running this command ensures that all added fonts are correctly registered in the system.

4.5 Summary

In this section, we covered how to configure and manage fonts in Ubuntu. Here are the key takeaways:

• Check installed fonts using: fc-list
• Modify system-wide fonts: Use GNOME Tweaks or KDE System Settings
• Customize fonts for applications: Terminal, VS Code, LibreOffice, etc.
• If fonts are not applied, update the font cache: fc-cache -fv

Next Steps

Now that you’ve configured Ubuntu’s fonts, the next section will cover troubleshooting font issues. We will discuss common problems and their solutions, ensuring you get the best font experience on Ubuntu.

5. Troubleshooting Font Issues

After installing and configuring fonts on Ubuntu, you might encounter issues such as fonts not displaying correctly, fonts not appearing in certain applications, or incorrect font rendering. This section covers common font-related problems and how to resolve them.

5.1 Fonts Are Not Displaying

If the fonts you installed are not appearing in applications or system settings, try the following solutions.

5.1.1 Update the Font Cache

When manually adding fonts, Ubuntu may not recognize them immediately. Updating the font cache can help resolve this issue:

fc-cache -fv

After running this command, restart your system or application and check if the fonts are now available.

5.1.2 Check Font File Placement

Ensure that the font files are placed in the correct directories.

Check using the command:

ls ~/.fonts/
ls /usr/share/fonts/

If the expected font file (e.g., HackGen.ttf) is not listed, move it to the correct directory and update the font cache.

5.1.3 Verify Font File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions might prevent fonts from being loaded properly. Fix them using the following commands:

sudo chmod -R 755 /usr/share/fonts
sudo chmod -R 755 ~/.fonts

After changing the permissions, update the font cache and restart your system.

5.2 Fonts Not Appearing in Specific Applications

Some applications manage fonts separately from the system, so newly installed fonts may not be recognized immediately. Here are solutions for common cases.

5.2.1 Fonts Not Displaying in the Terminal (GNOME Terminal, Konsole)

In most terminals, fonts must be manually selected from the settings.

• GNOME Terminal: Go to “Preferences” → “Profiles” and enable “Custom Font.”
• Konsole (KDE): Open “Settings” → “Edit Profile” → “Appearance” and select a font.

5.2.2 Fonts Not Changing in VS Code

If fonts are not applied in Visual Studio Code, check the settings.json file:

"editor.fontFamily": "'HackGen Console', 'Fira Code', monospace"

Ensure the font name is spelled correctly, then restart VS Code.

5.2.3 Fonts Not Changing in LibreOffice

LibreOffice may use different default fonts. To change the font settings:

1. Go to “Tools” → “Options”
2. Select “LibreOffice” → “Fonts”
3. Manually set the font to “Noto Sans JP” or another preferred font
4. Apply the changes and restart LibreOffice

5.3 Fonts Are Too Small or Too Large

If fonts appear too small or too large, adjust the font scaling settings.

5.3.1 Adjust Font Scaling in GNOME

Use GNOME Tweaks to modify the font scaling factor:

sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

Open “Tweaks” and navigate to the “Fonts” section, then adjust the “Scaling Factor” (e.g., set it to 1.2 for larger text).

5.3.2 Change DPI Settings for High-Resolution Displays

For 4K displays, increase the DPI scale using:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface text-scaling-factor 1.2

This will make all text slightly larger. Adjust the value as needed.

5.4 How to Remove Fonts

If you need to remove unwanted fonts, follow these steps.

5.4.1 Remove Fonts Installed via apt

For fonts installed through the package manager, use:

sudo apt remove fonts-ipafont

5.4.2 Remove Manually Installed Fonts

For manually added fonts, delete them from ~/.fonts/ or /usr/share/fonts/ and update the font cache:

rm -rf ~/.fonts/HackGen*
fc-cache -fv

For system-wide fonts, remove them from /usr/share/fonts/:

sudo rm -rf /usr/share/fonts/HackGen*
sudo fc-cache -fv

5.5 Summary

This section covered solutions to common font-related issues. Here are the key takeaways:

Next Steps

Now that you know how to troubleshoot font issues, the next section will address frequently asked questions (FAQ) about font installation and configuration on Ubuntu.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This section covers common questions and concerns related to font installation, management, and troubleshooting on Ubuntu.

6.1 How Can I Verify That a Font Is Installed?

Q: I installed a font, but I’m not sure if it was properly installed. How can I check?

A: You can use the following command to list all installed fonts on your system:

fc-list

If you are looking for a specific font, you can use grep to filter the results:

fc-list | grep "FontName"

For example, to check if Noto fonts are installed:

fc-list | grep "Noto"

6.2 Can I Use Windows Fonts (Meiryo, Yu Gothic) on Ubuntu?

Q: I want to use Windows fonts such as Meiryo or Yu Gothic on Ubuntu. Is it possible?

A: Yes, you can use Windows fonts on Ubuntu using two methods.

Method 1: Install Microsoft Core Fonts from the Ubuntu Repository

Microsoft’s core fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, etc.) can be installed using the following command:

sudo apt install -y ttf-mscorefonts-installer

💡 Note:
During installation, you will be prompted to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA). Press Tab → Enter to accept.

Method 2: Manually Copy Windows Fonts

You can manually copy fonts from a Windows machine. Locate the font files in C:\Windows\Fonts, transfer them to Ubuntu, and move them to ~/.fonts/ or /usr/share/fonts/:

mkdir -p ~/.fonts
cp /path/to/WindowsFonts/*.ttf ~/.fonts/
fc-cache -fv

This method allows you to use fonts like Meiryo and Yu Gothic on Ubuntu.

6.3 How Can I Change the Terminal Font?

Q: How do I change the font used in the Ubuntu terminal?

A: The process depends on the terminal application you are using.

For GNOME Terminal (Default Ubuntu Terminal):

1. Open the terminal
2. Go to “Preferences” → “Profiles”
3. Enable “Custom Font”
4. Select your preferred font (e.g., “HackGen” or “Noto Sans Mono”)

For Konsole (KDE’s Terminal):

1. Go to “Settings” → “Edit Profile”
2. Navigate to the “Appearance” tab
3. Select your preferred font

6.4 My Fonts Are Too Small! How Can I Change the Size?

Q: The fonts on my system are too small and difficult to read. Can I adjust the size?

A: Yes, there are several ways to adjust font size.

Method 1: Adjust Font Scaling in GNOME

If you are using the GNOME desktop environment, you can adjust the font scaling factor using GNOME Tweaks:

sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

Open “Tweaks” and navigate to the “Fonts” section. Adjust the “Scaling Factor” (e.g., set it to 1.2 to make fonts larger).

Method 2: Change DPI Settings for High-Resolution Displays

If you are using a 4K or high-DPI display, you can increase the DPI scale using:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface text-scaling-factor 1.2

Adjust the value as needed to make the text more readable.

6.5 How Can I Remove Unwanted Fonts?

Q: I installed some fonts that I no longer need. How can I remove them?

A: The removal process depends on how the fonts were installed.

Remove Fonts Installed via apt

If you installed a font through the package manager, remove it using:

sudo apt remove fonts-ipafont

Remove Manually Installed Fonts

For fonts manually added to ~/.fonts/, delete them and update the font cache:

rm -rf ~/.fonts/FontName*
fc-cache -fv

For system-wide fonts, remove them from /usr/share/fonts/:

sudo rm -rf /usr/share/fonts/FontName*
sudo fc-cache -fv

6.6 Summary

In this FAQ section, we covered solutions to common font-related questions, including:

• How to verify installed fonts
• How to use Windows fonts on Ubuntu
• How to change terminal fonts
• How to adjust font sizes
• How to remove unwanted fonts

Next Steps

Now that you have a better understanding of font management on Ubuntu, the final section will summarize everything covered in this guide and provide recommendations for optimizing your font environment.

7. Conclusion

In this guide, we have covered everything you need to know about installing, configuring, managing, and troubleshooting fonts on Ubuntu. Let’s summarize the key points.

7.1 Key Takeaways

🔹 Understanding Ubuntu’s Default Fonts and Storage Locations

• Ubuntu comes with fonts like Noto Sans, DejaVu Sans, and Ubuntu Font.
• Fonts are stored in directories such as ~/.fonts/ (user-specific) and /usr/share/fonts/ (system-wide).

🔹 How to Install Fonts

• Use apt for quick installation (sudo apt install fonts-ipafont).
• Manually add fonts by copying them to ~/.fonts/ or /usr/share/fonts/.
• Install specific fonts (Windows fonts, programming fonts) as needed.

🔹 How to Configure and Manage Fonts

• Use GNOME Tweaks or KDE Settings to adjust system-wide font settings.
• Customize application fonts in Terminal, VS Code, and LibreOffice.
• Update the font cache with fc-cache -fv after adding new fonts.

🔹 Troubleshooting Font Issues

• Fonts not displaying? Update the font cache with fc-cache -fv.
• Font files in the wrong location? Move them to ~/.fonts/ or /usr/share/fonts/.
• Fonts not applied in applications? Manually change font settings in the app.
• Font size too small? Adjust font scaling in GNOME Tweaks.

🔹 Common FAQs Covered

• Using Windows fonts on Ubuntu.
• Adjusting font sizes for better readability.
• Making fonts bold or improving rendering.
• Removing unwanted fonts.

7.2 Next Steps

Now that you understand how to manage fonts on Ubuntu, here are some actions you can take:

✅ Install and experiment with different fonts

• Try installing fonts-ipafont for better Japanese readability.
• Download and add custom fonts from Google Fonts.

✅ Adjust font settings for better readability

• Change the UI font to “Noto Sans JP” using GNOME Tweaks.
• Set a monospaced programming font like “HackGen” in VS Code.

✅ Clean up unnecessary fonts

• Use fc-list to check installed fonts and remove those you don’t need.

✅ Improve font rendering for a better display

gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.xsettings hinting 'full'
gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.xsettings antialiasing 'rgba'

7.3 Additional Resources

For more information about font management in Ubuntu, check out the following resources:

• Ubuntu Official Documentation: Ubuntu Help
• Google Fonts: Official Site
• Font Rendering Optimization: Arch Linux Wiki

7.4 Final Thoughts

By optimizing your font settings, you can improve readability, enhance your productivity, and make your Ubuntu experience more visually appealing. Use this guide to customize your font environment to suit your needs.

🎯 Changing fonts can transform your Ubuntu experience!
Try different fonts and settings to create the perfect environment for your workflow.