You're viewing docs for v5.15.4, an older version of Font Awesome.

Desktop

Use Ligatures

A new addition with Version 5, our ligatures feature allows you to more easily insert icons into a documents text layer. Here's how to get around and use them.

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Open a Document in Your Desktop App

After completing the steps in getting started, open a new or existing document in the Desktop app you want to use Font Awesome icons in. We'll use a new document in Sketch App (opens new window) for the walkthrough below.

Create a New Text Layer

However your app allows you, create a new layer or text block to insert text into.

A new text layer created in a Sketch document

Set the Font/Typeface to Font Awesome 5

Next, using your app's font/typeface selector, find and select "Font Awesome 5 Free" or "Font Awesome 5 Pro" as the one you want to use for the current text layer/block. Remember, if you want to insert a brand icon, choose the "Font Awesome 5 Brands" font/typeface.

Selecting Font Awesome 5 Free

Type the Icon's Name

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Next, you're all set to reference the icon you want to use. Just start typing the icon's name and as you finish, our ligatures should convert the letters into the correct symbol. Geee, Mr. Wizard!

question-circle typed into the text layer renders the icon

Don't worry if other icons (like th or question) appear as you complete typing the text for the icon you want. Once you're done, our ligatures will honor the final word you've typed.

Our icons gallery or cheatsheet are perfect places to easily find the icon you want to use and grab its name.

Adjusting Styles/Weights

Font Awesome 5 comes in 3 styles/weights (plus our brands count as a fourth option). If you've installed all .otfs, you can change the weight of your text layer/block to switch between visual styles.

Switching from solid to regular style of question-circle

all 3 styles of question-circle

Exporting and Prepping for Production

Remember to convert these icon text layers to vector outlines or rasterized copies before using the document in some graphic/print design and even web-based production steps. Individuals and services/tools you may be using might not have access to the font files those text layers depend on to render things right.

Stop! Demo Time!

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Need some examples to learn from or troubleshoot with? Download and check out these files we've prepped…

Download What's it good for? Do?
Sketch Ligatures Demo Several examples of styles and icons being referenced in Sketch App (opens new window) using Font Awesome 5's ligatures feature