What it does
Wakamai Fondue is an open-source browser font inspector. It combines character and feature reports with text, variable-font and color-font testers, then generates configurable CSS for web use.
Drop an OTF, TTF, WOFF or WOFF2 file onto the page, or use Try with NaN Success Titling to explore the example font. The report separates the text tester, layout features, character map and CSS output; variable and color sections appear when the font supports them. The site says files are processed in the browser without being sent to a server.
For a variable heading, adjust an axis or select a named instance, then compare the relevant OpenType feature switches. The CSS section connects those choices to implementation, with output options for different levels of detail. This is particularly useful when a foundry specimen shows an alternate character without explaining how to activate it.
The project is available under Apache 2.0. Its reports expose the font’s contents, but feature demonstrations have limits: some complex substitutions cannot be traced to ordinary characters. The installed-font picker is also shown only in browsers that support it and requires browser permission.
Strengths
- Font reports connect features with usable CSS.
- Dedicated controls cover variable axes, named instances and color fonts.
- The open-source project can be inspected and adapted.
Watch out for
- Some complex substitutions cannot be fully illustrated.
- Picking an installed font depends on browser support and permission.
Best for
- Web developers implementing font features
- Designers inspecting unfamiliar font files
Sources
- Wakamai Fondue: Official application and help text (Oct 27, 2026)
- A new Wakamai Fondue: Pixelambacht (Oct 27, 2026)
- Wakamai Fondue: Apache License 2.0 (Oct 27, 2026)