Mac OS: Maximum Number of Items in the Fonts Folder

This article lists the maximum number of items that can be placed into the Fonts folder for various versions of Mac OS, and explains how to work within the limits.
Mac OS versions earlier than Mac OS 9 are limited to a maximum of 128 files in the Fonts folder. Mac OS 9 includes support for up to 512 files in the Fonts folder. "Files" include font suitcases and individual font files such as bitmapped (screen) or TrueType fonts. PostScript (or printer) fonts are not included in the file limit.

Suitcases can contain multiple font families and can be as large as 16 MB. If you have more files installed in your Fonts folder than the Mac OS limit allows, place individual bitmap or TrueType font files into suitcases, or merge suitcases. To create a suitcase, duplicate an existing suitcase and empty its contents. To merge suitcases, drag an existing suitcase file onto another suitcase file.

Do not store fonts within folders in the Fonts folder. Such an arrangement makes the fonts inaccessible to Mac OS.

Published Date: Feb 17, 2012