---
name: "ftstring"
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/ftstring"
---

# ftstring(1)

string viewer

## NAME

ftstring - string viewer

## SYNOPSIS

**ftstring** \[*options*\] \[*pt*\] *font ...*

## DESCRIPTION

**ftstring** displays a text string with the given font, allowing to change various rendering and display options interactively.

- **pt**

  The point size for the given resolution. If resolution is 72dpi, this directly gives the ppem value (pixels per EM).

- **font**

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

Besides the string, **ftstring** also displays two stress test patterns sensitive to rendering flaws, such as incorrect gamma settings. Alternative text-carpeting and waterfall views are also available. This program is part of the FreeType demos package.

## OPTIONS

- **-d** *W***x***H***\[x***D\]*

  Set the window width to *W* px, the height to *H* px, and optionally the depth to *D* bpp (default: 640x480x24).

- **-r** *r*

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

- **-e** *enc*

  Specify encoding tag (default: no encoding). Common values: **unic** (Unicode), **symb** (symbol), **ADOB** (Adobe standard), **ADBC** (Adobe custom), or a numeric charmap index.

- **-m** *text*

  Use *text* for rendering.

- **-k** *keys*

  Emulate sequence of keystrokes upon start-up. If the keystrokes contain 'q', the program operates in batch mode. Function keys F*x* are mapped to character codes 0xF*x*; as an example, **-k $'\\xF3q'** is function key 'F3' followed by character 'q'.

- **-v**

  Show version.