---
name: "fstobdf"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "x11-xfs-utils"
version: "7.7+3"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/fstobdf"
---

# fstobdf(1)

generate BDF font from X font server

## NAME

fstobdf - generate BDF font from X font server

## SYNOPSIS

**fstobdf** \[ **-server** *servername* \] **-fn** *fontname*

- **fstobdf -version**

  ## DESCRIPTION

The *fstobdf* program reads a font from a font server and prints a BDF file on the standard output that may be used to recreate the font. This is useful in testing servers, debugging font metrics, and reproducing lost BDF files.

## OPTIONS

- **-server *servername***

  This option specifies the server from which the font should be read. *servername* must be specified in one of the formats defined in the *Font Server Names* section of [X(7)](/X/7.md).   If not specified, the server name in the **FONTSERVER** environment variable is used.

- **-fn *fontname***

  This option specifies the font for which a BDF file should be generated.

- **-version**

  This option prints the program version and then exits without generating a BDF file.

## ENVIRONMENT

- **FONTSERVER**

  The default server to use.  The server name must be specified in one of the formats defined in the *Font Server Names* section of [X(7)](/X/7.md).

## SEE ALSO

[xfs(1)](/xfs/1.md), [bdftopcf(1)](/bdftopcf/1.md), [showfont(1)](/showfont/1.md), [fslsfonts(1)](/fslsfonts/1.md), [X(7)](/X/7.md).

## AUTHOR

Olaf Brandt, Network Computing Devices\
 Dave Lemke, Network Computing Devices\

Jim Fulton, MIT X Consortium