What is .eot?
EOT (Embedded OpenType) is a legacy font format designed by Microsoft specifically for use on the web. It was the first format to enable custom fonts on websites via the `@font-face` rule in Internet Explorer.
This quick guide explains when to use .eot files, how to open them on any device, and how to share them instantly with FileXhost.
When to use .eot files
- You need to support very old versions of Internet Explorer (IE8 and below).
- You are maintaining a legacy website that still uses EOT fonts.
- You are using a font generation tool that includes EOT for maximum backward compatibility.
How to open .eot files
EOT files are not meant to be opened directly. They are loaded by the Internet Explorer browser to render text.
Algorithm details
EOT files are essentially OpenType fonts wrapped in a structure that includes digital rights management (DRM) features to prevent unauthorized copying. They use MicroType Express compression to reduce file size.
Browser & platform support
- Direct: Supported ONLY by Internet Explorer (IE4 - IE11).
- Modern Browsers: Not supported by Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge (which use WOFF/WOFF2).
Format comparison
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Exclusive to Internet Explorer. No other browser supports it. |
| Security | Includes DRM features to bind the font to a specific domain (rootstring). |
| Obsolescence | Considered obsolete. Modern web development uses WOFF and WOFF2. |
How to create eot files
- Converters: Tools like FontSquirrel or various online font converters.
- Microsoft WEFT: The original tool (Web Embedding Fonts Tool) used to create EOT files.
How to convert eot files
- Convert to WOFF2: Highly recommended for modern browser support.
- FileXhost: Host legacy assets if needed.
Advantages & disadvantages
Advantages
- Allowed custom fonts on the web long before other formats
- Compact file size due to compression
- DRM features appealed to font foundries
Disadvantages
- Proprietary format locked to Internet Explorer
- Not supported by any modern browser
- Often requires a separate file just for IE in CSS stacks
Tools & software
Legacy
Microsoft WEFT
Generators
FontSquirrel, Transfonter
Browsers
Internet Explorer
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need EOT files?
Unless you specifically need to support Internet Explorer 8 or older, no. WOFF and WOFF2 are sufficient for all modern needs.
Why doesn't Chrome load my EOT file?
Chrome and other modern browsers do not support EOT. They use WOFF or WOFF2.
What replaced EOT?
WOFF (Web Open Font Format) replaced EOT as the standard, followed by the even more efficient WOFF2.
Technical specs
- File type
- Web
- Extension
- .eot
- MIME type
- application/vnd.ms-fontobject
- Compression
- Uncompressed
- Max file size on FileXhost
- Typically very small (10KB - 100KB). Up to 25 MB per file on free plans.
Share .eot files instantly
Upload your .eot file to FileXhost to get a clean, shareable URL in seconds. View the file in a modern browser, protect access with optional settings, and let others download it without any confusing ads or cluttered file pages.
Upload .eot file