The line between personal and commercial use is one of the most common points of confusion when choosing a font. The difference comes down to whether the project earns money or supports a business.
What counts as personal use
- A birthday card or invitation for friends and family.
- A personal journal, scrapbook or hobby project.
- Schoolwork that is not sold or published commercially.
- Practice work kept private while you learn.
What counts as commercial use
- A logo or brand identity for any business, including your own.
- Products you sell, such as merchandise, packaging or templates.
- Advertising, marketing materials and sponsored content.
- Client work you are paid to produce.
How to stay safe
If a project is tied to money or a brand in any way, treat it as commercial and confirm the font license allows commercial use. If the license is not clear, choose a font with explicit commercial terms instead. This protects you and your clients.
License terms vary from one font to another. Always review the license included with a specific font before using it, especially for commercial work.