---
name: "ftlint"
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/ftlint"
---

# ftlint(1)

simple font tester

## NAME

ftlint - simple font tester

## SYNOPSIS

**ftlint** \[*options*\] *ppem* *font*...

## DESCRIPTION

**ftlint** opens the given font(s), loads and renders glyphs at the given ppem value. The shape complexity of outline glyphs are examined based on their taxicab perimeters: the higher the number, the more complex the shape. For successfully rendered glyphs, it calculates the bitmap MD5 checksum for regression testing as well as horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) acutances for quality assessment.  The acutance is equal to 2.0 for monochrome bitmap fonts and approaches this value for hinted anti-aliased fonts.

- **ppem**

  Size in pixels per EM.

- **font**

  The font file(s) to test.

This program is part of the FreeType demos package.

## OPTIONS

- **-f** *L*

  Use **hexadecimal** (not decimal) number *L* defined by **FT\_LOAD\_XXX** flags (default is 0).

- **-r** *N*

  Set render mode to *N*:

  | | |
  | --- | --- |
  | **0** | normal |
  | **1** | light |
  | **2** | mono |
  | **3** | horizontal LCD |
  | **4** | vertical LCD |

-

  which corresponds to the values of the **FT\_RENDER\_MODE\_XXX** enumeration (default is 0).

- **-i** *I-J*

  Range of glyph indices to use (default: all).

- **-q**

  Quiet mode without the rendering analysis.