Google Slides uses a built-in font library, but you can also upload your own fonts from your computer
When you open a Google Slides presentation, the default fonts available are limited to what Google has pre-loaded. To add a font that is not already there, you have two paths: use Google Fonts (which are free and built into Slides) or upload a custom font file from your computer. The fastest route is Google Fonts, because they are already integrated — you just need to know where to find them in the menu. Uploading your own font file takes a few extra steps but gives you access to any font you own or read.
Both methods work the same way once the font is available: you select your text, open the font dropdown, and choose the font you want. The difference is in how the font gets there in the first place.
Key Takeaways
- Google Fonts are free fonts built into Google Slides and appear in the font dropdown menu under "More fonts" — no upload needed.
- To add a custom font from your computer, click "More fonts," search for it by name, and click the plus icon to add it to your presentation.
- Custom font files must be in .ttf or .otf format; other formats like .woff or .woff2 will not work in Google Slides.
- Once you add a font to your presentation, it stays available in that presentation only — you will need to add it again in a new presentation.
- If a font does not appear after you add it, refresh the page and try selecting the text again.
How to access Google Fonts in Google Slides
Google Fonts are a collection of free, open-source fonts maintained by Google. They are already available in Google Slides without any upload or installation. To use one, click on any text box or select the text you want to change. Then click the font dropdown menu at the top of the screen — it usually shows the current font name, like "Arial" or "Calibri".
At the bottom of the dropdown menu, you will see a link that says "More fonts." Click it. A window will open showing all available Google Fonts, organized by category (serif, sans-serif, display, handwriting, monospace). You can scroll through the list, search by name in the search box at the top, or filter by category. When you find a font you like, click it once to see a preview of your selected text in that font. If you want to use it, click the blue plus icon next to the font name. The font will be added to your presentation and applied to your selected text.
How to upload a custom font file from your computer
If you have a font file on your computer that is not in Google Fonts, you can upload it directly to your presentation. The font file must be in .ttf (TrueType) or .otf (OpenType) format. Files in .woff, .woff2, or other formats will not work in Google Slides.
To upload, select your text, click the font dropdown, and click "More fonts" at the bottom. In the window that opens, look for a tab or section labeled "Upload" — it is usually on the left side or at the top of the fonts window. Click "Upload my fonts." A file browser will open. Navigate to your font file on your computer, select it, and click "Open." Google Slides will upload the font and add it to your presentation. Once uploaded, the font will appear in your font dropdown menu for that presentation.
You can upload multiple fonts at once by holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and clicking each font file before opening them. Google Slides will upload all of them together.
Where your custom fonts appear and how long they stay
After you add a font — whether from Google Fonts or by uploading — it appears in your font dropdown menu at the top of the screen. The font stays in that dropdown for as long as you have the presentation open. If you close the presentation and come back to it later, the font will still be there.
However, the font is tied to that specific presentation only. If you open a different presentation and want to use the same font, you will need to add it again. This is true for both Google Fonts and custom uploads. The font does not sync across all your presentations or to your Google account — each presentation keeps its own font library.
If you share the presentation with someone else, the fonts you added will display correctly on their screen as long as they have access to the presentation. Google Slides handles the font rendering on their end, so they do not need to have the font installed on their computer.
Troubleshooting fonts that do not appear
Sometimes a font you added does not show up in your text, even though you selected it from the dropdown. The most common cause is that the page has not fully loaded the font yet. Refresh your browser (press Ctrl+R on Windows or Cmd+R on Mac) and try selecting the text again. Then open the font dropdown and reselect the font.
If the font still does not appear, check that your font file is in the correct format. Google Slides only accepts .ttf and .otf files. If your file is in a different format, you will need to convert it or find a different version of the font. Some font websites offer the same font in multiple formats — look for the .ttf or .otf version.
Another reason a font might not display is if the font file is corrupted or incomplete. Try downloading the font again from the source and uploading it fresh. If you are using a Google Font and it is not appearing, try removing it and adding it again by clicking "More fonts," finding it, and clicking the plus icon.
Differences between Google Fonts and custom uploads
Google Fonts are maintained by Google and are may provide to work in Google Slides. They are free, they load quickly, and they are available across all Google products (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Gmail). If you are designing something that will be shared widely or viewed on many devices, Google Fonts are usually the safer choice because they are standardized.
Custom fonts give you more control and let you use branded fonts, specialty fonts, or fonts you have purchased. However, they depend on the font file being in the correct format and being uploaded correctly. If you upload a font and then delete the file from your computer, the font will still work in Google Slides — the file is stored in your presentation, not linked to your computer.
For most design work, starting with Google Fonts is the fastest approach. If you need a specific font that is not available in Google Fonts, then upload your own.
How to remove a font you no longer need
If you added a font to your presentation and want to remove it from the dropdown menu, click the font dropdown and then click "More fonts." Find the font you want to remove in the list. If it is a Google Font, click the blue minus icon next to it. If it is a custom upload, look for a delete or remove option — this is usually a trash icon or an X button next to the font name.
Removing a font from the dropdown does not change any text that is already using that font in your presentation. The text will stay in that font. Removing the font just takes it out of the menu so you cannot select it for new text. If you want to change text that is already in a removed font, select the text and choose a different font from the dropdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fonts from Adobe Fonts or other font services in Google Slides?
No. Google Slides does not connect to Adobe Fonts, Typekit, or other font subscription services. You can only use Google Fonts or fonts you upload as files. If you have a font from Adobe Fonts, you can read the .ttf or .otf file and upload it to Google Slides, but you will need to own or have permission to use that font.
What happens to my fonts if I share the presentation with someone else?
The fonts display correctly on their screen. Google Slides stores the font data in the presentation file itself, so anyone who opens the presentation will see the fonts you chose, whether they are Google Fonts or custom uploads. They do not need to have the fonts installed on their computer.
Can I use the same custom font in multiple presentations without uploading it each time?
Not directly. Each presentation has its own font library, so you will need to upload the font to each presentation where you want to use it. However, you can copy and paste text that is already formatted with a custom font from one presentation to another, and the font will come with it.
Why does my custom font look different in Google Slides than it does in other programs?
Google Slides renders fonts in the browser, which can sometimes display them slightly differently than desktop programs like Photoshop or Word. This is usually a minor difference in spacing or weight. If the difference is significant, try refreshing the page or re-uploading the font file.
Is there a limit to how many fonts I can add to one presentation?
Google Slides does not publish a hard limit, but adding very large numbers of fonts can slow down your presentation. For most work, adding 5 to 10 fonts is normal and will not cause problems. If you are adding dozens of fonts, consider whether you really need all of them.