Perhaps surprisingly there are quite a number of runic fonts to be found on the Internet, although it can be a time-consuming task finding them. This page is an attempt to make the process of finding a runic font with the qualities you require as easy as possible.
By dint of my personal computer I'm limited to checking out fonts for the PC, but if users of other computers (eg Mac, Amiga, Atari, Cray XMP) would care to send me information on similar resources for their particular platform I'll gladly make it available here.
The table below gives a brief look at the font style (by showing the word 'fuþark' or fuþorc' for Germanic/Nordic or Englisc fonts respectively), a clickable link for downloading, shareware fee where applicable, and my own (subjective) comments.
There are runic fonts other than those I have listed below, but a lot of them are ramshackle affairs. If you find any further good runic font resources on the Internet please let me know and I'll include them on this page.
All of the representative graphics were done using a uniform size of 32pt, so you can gauge how well each font will sit within text fairly easily.
Font Name : Futharken
File Name : Futhark.zip
Font Type : TrueType
URL : Morten Bek's Home Page
Fee : Free
Comments : I'm not too sure on what source Morten Bek based this font. A rather limited character set (no 'thorn'??) and the style is a little 'rough' for my tastes.
Font Name : Moon Runes
File Name : MOONRUNE.ZIP
Font Type : TrueType
URL : Morten Bek's Home Page
Fee : Free
Comments : Another of Morten Bek's, this font is based upon the moon-runes on Thror's map in JRRT's The Hobbit and is thus basically the OE fuþorc.
Font Name : Anglo-Saxon Runes, Anglo-Saxon Runes-1, Anglo-Saxon Runes-2
File Name : RUNES14.ZIP
Font Type : TrueType and PostScript type 1
URL : Dan Smith's Hstorical Rune Fonts
Fee : Free
Comments : One of a family of runic fonts by Dan Smith, this has the feel of manuscript rather than engraved The character-mapping is somewhat quirky but the provided Word 6.0 template and macro should help MS devotees at least. A comprehensive Windows Help file is also included in the package.
Two other A-S runic Fonts are also included (Anglo-Saxon Runes-1 and Anglo-Saxon Runes-2) which differ only in having single and double bars above and below each character.
Font Name : Germanic Runes, Germanic Runes-1, Germanic Runes-2
File Name : RUNES14.ZIP
Font Type : TrueType and PostScript type 1
URL : Dan Smith's Hstorical Rune Fonts
Fee : Free
Comments : Comments as at Anglo-Saxon Runes above. Shown is 'Germanic Runes-1'.
Font Name : Dwarf Runes, Dwarf Runes-1, Dwarf Runes-2
File Name : RUNES14.ZIP
Font Type : TrueType and PostScript type 1
URL : Dan Smith's Hstorical Rune Fonts
Fee : Free
Comments : This font is based upon the runes on the front-papers and dust jacket of JRRT's The Hobbit and is thus basically the OE fuþorc. Other comments as for Anglo-Saxon Runes above. Shown is 'Dwarf Runes-2'.
Font Name : Elder Futhark
File Name : RUNETTF.ZIP
Font Type : TrueType
URL : TrueType Fonts by Curtis Clark
Fee : Free for private use (see documentation)
Comments : A very stark, unadorned font containing both upright and inverted characters. A version for the Macintosh is also to be found at this URL.
Font Name : Futhork, Futhork Bold, Futhork Hollow
File Name : SIRUNES.ZIP
Font Type : TrueType and PostScript type 1
URL : Demon FTP
Fee : $80
Comments : Over 100 well-formed runstæfas make this font quite comprehensive. The archive also includes reversed (right-to-left) versions of the fonts, a Word 6.0 template and sample Word 6.0 docs showing usage. Worth $80? Personally I find it a bit on the 'thin' side, but you decide.
Due to the prior unreliability and now sudden disappearance of this font's home page I've made it available from Demon's FTP server. The same applies for Runic Regular below.
Font Name : Gullskoen
File Name : TT-PC.ZIP and PS-PC.ZIP
Font Type : TrueType and PostScript type 1
URL : Gullskoen Rune Font
Fee : Free
Comments : A comprehensive font containing 150+ runstæfas of Nordic origin. Included are long- and short-staffed, staveless and mediaeval runes. I recommend this font, but be prepared for some searching to find the character you need. A version for the Macintosh is also available at this URL.
Font Name : Futhorc B
File Name : FUTHORCB.ZIP
Font Type : TrueType
URL : Ða Engliscan Gesiðas
Fee : Free for private use (see documentation)
Comments : My own offering inspired by the Frank's Casket, designed to give a 'tight-packed' feel. Included are the cryptic vowels and composite runstæfas which I haven't found elsewhere.
This font is constantly undergoing expansion, so call back frequently for updates. If you have any comments please feel free to email me.
Font Name : Runic Regular
File Name : RUNIC.ZIP
Font Type : TrueType
URL : Demon FTP
Fee :
Comments : I rather like this font although I'm having trouble locating its real home location. It was compiled by the Digital Type Foundry - anybody supply a URL?
Lastly, there's a whole collection of runic fonts at CODICE RUNICO DI COMUNICAZIONE which I haven't been able to download correctly. Anybody out there who understands Italian care to help?
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