Swap the virtual console font for the current session with a single command and see the result immediately. 17.12.2025 | reading time: 3 min Want larger or clearer text on the virtual console for a maintenance session? Use `setfont` to load a PSF or Unicode PSF font into the current virtual console; the change happens immediately and lasts only until the next reboot. Quick Demo Follow this short demo as root to list available console fonts and load one for the current session: ```bash ls /usr/share/consolefonts | head -n 5 Lat2-Terminus16.psf.gz Lat2-Terminus20.psf.gz Lat2-Terminus32x16.psf.gz sudo setfont /usr/share/consolefonts/Lat2-Terminus16.psf.gz ``` The `ls` output shows font files and `setfont` applies the chosen font immediately; the command usually prints nothing on success and the console glyphs change at once. Options and Scope You can point `setfont` to a local PSF file or a name from `/usr/share/consolefonts`; use `-C` to target another virtual console (for example `/dev/tty2`) and `-v` for verbose feedback; remember this affects only the kernel virtual console, not X or Wayland terminals, and the change is not persistent across reboots unless recorded in system config such as `/etc/vconsole.conf` or Debian's `/etc/default/console-setup`. When and Why to Use It Use a temporary font change for brief maintenance, readability during rescue, or when testing glyph coverage for special characters; he can also swap to a font with wider glyphs for a legacy application, or try a smaller font to fit more output on a screen. Related Utilities Tools that live in the same space include `loadkeys` for keyboard maps, `showconsolefont` to inspect the currently loaded font, and config helpers like `console-setup` or editing `/etc/vconsole.conf` for persistent settings; framebuffer terminals such as `fbterm` or terminal emulators do not use `setfont` and need their own font configuration. Wrap-up and Next Steps You can change the console appearance quickly and safely with `setfont`, then make the choice permanent if it proves useful; explore the kernel console font formats and practice on a non-critical system to gain confidence and speed. Keep learning about LINUX and consider preparing for certification like CompTIA Linux+ or LPIC-1 with intensive exam training at bitsandbytes.academy. Join Bits & Bytes Academy First class LINUX exam preparation. setup utilities boot-process
