Can you create font stacks with Google web fonts?

[jefferis]

When you choose a Google web font, it seems you can only choose one at a time and not create a set.  First of all, is there an easy way to create font stacks/sets from the web.   And do you have to create a web generator set for your site or just a link to google fonts?  

Is there plugin that makes this easier?  

[Nancy OShea]

Of course you can add as many Google Fonts as you wish. But the more web font scripts you add to your document, the longer it takes it load.  And this can adversely impact site performance.  For best results, use web fonts for special use cases such as headings and use font-families from the web-safe font stacks for routine content.

https://www.cssfontstack.com/

[osgood_]

How many font-families does a well designed website really need, 2 or 3 maximum, unless you're specifically producing something related to fonts. Multiple Google font-families can be combined using just the 1 api link.

[Ben M]

When you go to google web fonts you can select multiple fonts.  You just use their link/import code, and follow their instructions for CSS rules to apply families and you should be good to go. I've attached a screenshot of what this looks like.

[jefferis]

It is difficult to select multiple fonts if they are not closely related by name.  For example I typed in Lato and selected it, but if I wanted Open Sans to be the backup, I have to confirm Lato before I can search for Open Sans. Otherwise i have to have all 2000 fonts open and scroll to do a multiple selection.  I guess that is what I mean.   As to the link code, that isn't automatic right? And is there a default linking insert? I.e., it doesn't auto generate when you select a google font, does it? 

[osgood_]

Yes, both the Google font linked api AND the import api link is generated automatically as you select the fonts you require to use from the Google fonts website.

All you do is copy the api link generated by Google fonts and paste it in your pages code OR copy the import code generated by Google fonts and paste it in your css stylesheet. Add the font-family name to the body css or css selector to which you want the specific font applied.

I dont understand why its difficult to select multiple fonts if they are not closely related? You just look through the fonts and when you see one you like select it or keep note of it and keep searching, then go back and select those which are of interest, Google complies all those you select into 1 api link.

[Jon Fritz]

"...For example I typed in Lato and selected it, but if I wanted Open Sans to be the backup, ..."

CSS Webfonts are a replacement for font stacks in the font-family property. Browsers that recognize them simply read the font on the server and display it. If, for some reason a viewer is in IE8 or lower, no font you choose at Google Fonts will work. You would need a Web Safe font to be the backup in the font stack for archaic browsers.

The browsers that needed back-ups are long dead though, even IE9 recognized them.

[Nancy OShea]

This isn't a Dreamweaver question.  This is a question for Google Web Fonts.