---
name: "ftdiff"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "freetype2-demos"
version: "2.15.0-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ftdiff"
---

# ftdiff(1)

compare font hinting modes

## NAME

ftdiff - compare font hinting modes

## SYNOPSIS

**ftdiff** \[*options*\] *font* ...

## DESCRIPTION

**ftdiff** displays text in three columns, using the font or fonts given on the command line, and applies different FreeType hinting modes to each column.

- **font**

  The font file(s) to display. For Type 1 font files, **ftdiff** also tries to attach the corresponding metrics file (with extension \`.afm' or \`.pfm').

This program is part of the FreeType demos package.

## OPTIONS

- **-d** *W***x***H*

  Set the window width to *W* px, the height to *H* px (default: 640 x 480).

- **-r** *r*

  Use resolution *r* dpi (default: 72dpi).

- **-s** *s*

  Set character size to *s* points (default: 16pt).

- **-f** *textfile*

  Change displayed text, using text in *textfile* (in UTF-8 encoding).

- **-v**

  Show version.