Does Google Fonts API Work in China?

What is Google Fonts API?

Google Fonts API is a web service provided by Google that enables websites to easily integrate and display custom fonts. It enhances website design by offering a vast library of open-source fonts that can be quickly embedded using a simple line of code.

Is Google Fonts API Available in China?

No, the Google Fonts API is blocked in China. Websites that rely on Google Fonts for displaying text may experience slow load times or broken fonts for users accessing the site from China. This is because Google services, including the Fonts API, are generally inaccessible behind The Great Firewall of China. To ensure smooth font rendering in China, businesses need to host their fonts locally or use alternative solutions.

How Can I Access Google Fonts API in China?

Solution 1: AppInChina Shared Google Fonts in China

Use AppInChina’s shared, free Google Fonts deployment optimised for Mainland China users. The library is regularly synchronised with upstream Google Fonts and delivered via a China-optimised CDN for performance and uptime. Integration is straightforward: replace your existing Google Fonts URLs with the provided China endpoint and keep your theme/plugins unchanged. Ideal if you want a plug-and-play fix without maintaining your own mirrors, storage, or update jobs.

Solution 2: Self-Hosted Google Fonts via Your CDN

If you prefer full control, you can mirror only the font families and subsets you need and serve them from your own domain on a China-ready CDN. Typical steps:

1. Export required families/weights/subsets (e.g., woff2).
2. Host under /fonts/ on your site or a static bucket, fronted by a mainland CDN.
3. Update CSS to point to your hosted @font-face URLs.
4. Add long cache headers, CORS for cross-origin use, and versioned paths.
5. Schedule periodic refreshes to stay current with upstream updates.
   This option fits teams with DevOps capacity and strict control/compliance requirements.

Which Solution Should I Choose?

• Speed & Availability in China: Both use China-optimised CDNs. Option 1 is fully optimised for Mainland China by AppInChina.
• Maintenance Overhead: Updates in option 1 are handled by AppInChina. Option 2 requires ongoing syncing, cache/version control, and monitoring.
• Flexibility & Control: Option 2 lets you host only the exact families/weights, set custom caching/CSP/CORS, and align with internal policies.
• Cost: Option 1 is free. Option 2 incurs CDN/storage/ops costs.
• Time-to-Value: Option 1 is immediate (swap URLs). Option 2 needs setup and periodic updates.

Simple rule of thumb:

• Choose Option 1 if you want the fastest, zero-maintenance solution that “just works.”
• Choose Option 2 if you need granular control, strict governance, or bespoke performance tuning across specific font sets.

How AppInChina Can Help

AppInChina can help you eliminate font loading issues in China by:

• Hosting your fonts locally within China to improve website load times.
• Optimising your website infrastructure to comply with Chinese regulations, such as the ICP filing.
• Ensuring a seamless user experience by integrating locally available alternatives to Google Fonts.

To ensure your website design looks flawless for users in China, contact us to get started!