Skip to content

dlig — Discretionary Ligatures

dlig (Discretionary Ligatures) gathers the ligatures used only when the reader asks for them.

The ct and st ligatures are examples. Anything can go in it, so long as the font’s maker judges it a ligature for special effect.

Ligatures commonly found in dlig gives a rough guide.

Without dlig
perfect
With dlig
perfect
.fea source
Compiling…
Without dlig
株式会社
With dlig
株式会社
.fea source
Compiling…

Five features form ligatures, dlig among them.

Feature Purpose
rlig Ligatures required for correct display of a script. Always applied
liga Ligatures in common use. On by default
clig Ligatures recommended only in a specific context. On by default
dlig Ligatures used for special effect, at the user’s preference. Off by default
hlig Ligatures once in common use that now appear anachronistic. Off by default

dlig is off by default. It applies only once the user asks for it.

hlig is off by default too, but it covers ligatures from historical orthography. Ligatures used for decoration go in dlig.

The rules are written with Lookup Type 4.

Without rules
The perfect best
With rules
The perfect best
Compiling…