# ADLaM Display font

> A heavy display face for the ADLaM script and Latin, with sliced stroke ends that echo Fulani textile patterns.

ADLaM Display is a single-weight display typeface that covers the ADLaM script alongside basic Latin. Microsoft commissioned it from Neil Patel, Mark Jamra and Andrew Footit, who looked to the patterns of Fulani blankets, hats and textiles. ADLaM Display has 382 glyphs, is released under the SIL Open Font License 1.1 and suits headlines and titles.

## Facts

- Classification: [Display](https://trendhub.net/fonts/category/display)
- Designed by: Mark Jamra, Neil Patel, Andrew Footit
- License: SIL Open Font License 1.1 (https://openfontlicense.org/open-font-license-official-text/)
- Styles: 1 (Regular 400)
- Variable font: No
- Glyphs: 382
- Character sets: adlam, latin
- Last updated: 2025-05-30
- Official source: https://fonts.google.com/specimen/ADLaM+Display
- Page: https://trendhub.net/fonts/adlam-display
- Tagged for: Headlines, Posters, Branding

## About ADLaM Display

ADLaM Display is a display typeface made to give the ADLaM script, the alphabet devised by Ibrahima and Abdoulaye Barry, a face for headlines. According to the official notes, Microsoft commissioned the design from Neil Patel, Mark Jamra and Andrew Footit; the font's own name table credits Footit with the concept. The designers took their cues from the chevrons, lozenges, triangles and spots seen on Fulani blankets, hats and textiles. In the Latin specimen that source shows as heavy, low-contrast letters whose stroke ends are sliced at an angle, with notches where strokes meet and a diamond-shaped dot on i and j. The family is one Regular file with 382 glyphs, covering the ADLaM character set and Latin letters for languages such as English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. It is published under the SIL Open Font License 1.1.

## License

SIL Open Font License 1.1. Copyright (c) 2022 by Microsoft. All rights reserved.

Allowed:
- Use the fonts in personal and commercial work, in print, on the web and in apps.
- Modify the fonts and build new versions from them.
- Redistribute the fonts, on their own or bundled with software, as long as the license text and copyright notice go with them.

Conditions:
- The fonts cannot be sold by themselves.
- A modified version must stay under the same license and cannot use a Reserved Font Name without the copyright holder's permission.
- The authors' names cannot be used to promote a modified version without permission.

Summary only, not legal advice. Full text: https://openfontlicense.org/open-font-license-official-text/

## Where it works

- **Titles set in the ADLaM script**: The typeface was commissioned because ADLaM had few display faces, so it gives posters, mastheads and web headings in that script a heavy titling voice.
- **Two-script headlines**: ADLaM and Latin letters sit in the same file at the same weight and with the same angled cuts, so a title can run in both scripts without a change of texture.
- **Cultural event graphics**: Detailing taken from Fulani textile patterns ties festival posters and exhibition titles to the culture the script serves.
- **Short wordmarks**: The diamond dot and notched joins stay visible at large sizes and give a one-word name a recognisable surface.

## Things to know

- **One weight only**: ADLaM Display ships as a single Regular 400 file. Despite the weight name, the letters are drawn heavy; there is no lighter or italic companion.
- **Latin coverage is basic**: Beside the ADLaM character set, the font includes the letters needed for English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch and the Nordic languages. Its extended Latin set is incomplete.
- **Made for display sizes**: The angled cuts and notches are small details on thick strokes, which is why the design is aimed at titles and not at running text.

## FAQs

### Is ADLaM Display free for commercial use?

Yes. ADLaM Display is published under the SIL Open Font License 1.1, which allows personal and commercial use, modification and redistribution. The font cannot be sold on its own, and modified versions stay under the same license.

### Who designed ADLaM Display?

ADLaM Display is credited to Mark Jamra, Neil Patel and Andrew Footit, working on a commission from Microsoft. The font's name table lists Footit under concept, and Microsoft holds the copyright.

### What is ADLaM Display used for?

ADLaM Display is a headline face for the ADLaM script. It was made because the script lacked display typefaces, and it also carries Latin letters for mixed titles.

### How many weights does ADLaM Display have?

ADLaM Display has one weight, Regular 400, in one upright style. It is not a variable font.

### Which languages does ADLaM Display support?

ADLaM Display covers the ADLaM script and includes the Latin letters needed for English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Catalan and Estonian.

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Source: https://trendhub.net/fonts/adlam-display (trendhub)
