How to use the command 'fc-list' (with examples)

The fc-list command is a useful utility on UNIX-like systems that allows users to list the fonts installed on their system. By leveraging this command, you can efficiently manage and identify the typography options available for various applications or document processing tasks. This guide delves into three specific use cases for this command, demonstrating how you can exploit its potential for your font-related tasks.

Use case 1: Return a list of installed fonts in your system

Code:

fc-list

Motivation:

If you are working on a project that requires a specific font style, understanding what fonts are installed on your system is crucial. By accessing the full list of available fonts, you can make informed decisions about which fonts best suit your design needs. This broad overview permits easy access to font information, enabling streamlined selection and utilization in your work.

Explanation:

• fc-list: This command is the primary action you execute when you want to output every font file that is currently installed on your system. There are no additional arguments or filters at this stage, which means it will provide a comprehensive list without any restrictions.

Example Output:

/usr/share/fonts/truetype/dejavu/DejaVuSans.ttf: DejaVu Sans:style=Book
/usr/share/fonts/truetype/dejavu/DejaVuSans-ExtraLight.ttf: DejaVu Sans,DejaVu Sans Light:style=ExtraLight,Book
...

Use case 2: Return a list of installed fonts with given name

Code:

fc-list | grep 'DejaVu Serif'

Motivation:

When you have a specific font in mind, such as “DejaVu Serif,” you want to quickly verify that it exists in your system’s font library. This functionality is particularly beneficial when you’re preparing a document or a graphical project that mandates the exact use of this specific typeface. Filtering by name saves time and ensures accuracy in font utilization, thus eliminating the need for manual search through potentially thousands of entries.

Explanation:

• fc-list: Lists out all installed font files on the system.
• |: This is the pipe operator, which sends the output of the left-hand-side command (fc-list) as input to the right-hand-side command (grep).
• grep 'DejaVu Serif': Filters the list to include only those lines containing the text “DejaVu Serif.” The grep command performs this filtering based on string matching.

Example Output:

/usr/share/fonts/truetype/dejavu/DejaVuSerif.ttf: DejaVu Serif:style=Book
/usr/share/fonts/truetype/dejavu/DejaVuSerif-Bold.ttf: DejaVu Serif:style=Bold
...

Use case 3: Return the number of installed fonts in your system

Code:

fc-list | wc -l

Motivation:

For system administrators or anyone interested in gauging typography resources, knowing the sheer volume of installed fonts can be valuable. This information assists in understanding the diversity and richness of the typeface options at your disposal. Additionally, it can be an insightful metric when evaluating system configuration or comparing font libraries across different machines.

Explanation:

• fc-list: Generates a list of all the installed font files.
• |: Again, this pipe operator channels the output of the fc-list command as input to the wc command.
• wc -l: The wc command (word count) with the -l option counts the number of lines in the input. Each line in the fc-list output corresponds to an installed font, so this effectively counts how many fonts are installed.

Example Output:

128

Conclusion:

By mastering the fc-list command and its varied use cases, users can efficiently manage and navigate their system’s collection of fonts, aiding in faster and more informed decision-making for text and design projects. Whether you need a full list, a filtered search, or simply a count of your installed fonts, fc-list offers a straightforward solution.