FindSDL_ttf

Finds the SDL_ttf library that provides support for rendering text with TrueType fonts in SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) applications.

Note

This module is specifically intended for SDL_ttf version 1. Starting with version 2.0.15, SDL_ttf provides a CMake package configuration file when built with CMake and should be found using find_package(SDL2_ttf). Similarly, SDL_ttf version 3 can be found using find_package(SDL3_ttf). These newer versions provide Imported Targets that encapsulate usage requirements. Refer to the official SDL documentation for more information.

Result Variables

This module defines the following variables:

SDL_ttf_FOUND

Boolean indicating whether the (requested version of) SDL_ttf library is found. For backward compatibility, the SDL_TTF_FOUND variable is also set to the same value.

SDL_TTF_VERSION_STRING

The human-readable string containing the version of SDL_ttf found.

SDL_TTF_INCLUDE_DIRS

Include directories containing headers needed to use SDL_ttf library.

SDL_TTF_LIBRARIES

Libraries needed to link against to use SDL_ttf.

Deprecated Variables

For backward compatibility the following variables are also set:

SDLTTF_FOUND

Deprecated since version 2.8.10: Replaced with SDL_ttf_FOUND, which has the same value.

SDLTTF_INCLUDE_DIR

Deprecated since version 2.8.10: Replaced with SDL_TTF_INCLUDE_DIRS, which has the same value.

SDLTTF_LIBRARY

Deprecated since version 2.8.10: Replaced with SDL_TTF_LIBRARIES, which has the same value.

Hints

This module accepts the following variables:

SDLDIR

Environment variable that can be set to help locate an SDL library installed in a custom location. It should point to the installation destination that was used when configuring, building, and installing SDL library: ./configure --prefix=$SDLDIR.

Examples

Finding SDL_ttf library and creating an imported interface target for linking it to a project target:

find_package(SDL_ttf)

if(SDL_ttf_FOUND AND NOT TARGET SDL::SDL_ttf)
  add_library(SDL::SDL_ttf INTERFACE IMPORTED)
  set_target_properties(
    SDL::SDL_ttf
    PROPERTIES
      INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES "${SDL_TTF_INCLUDE_DIRS}"
      INTERFACE_LINK_LIBRARIES "${SDL_TTF_LIBRARIES}"
  )
endif()

target_link_libraries(project_target PRIVATE SDL::SDL_ttf)

When working with SDL_ttf version 2, the upstream package provides the SDL2_ttf::SDL2_ttf imported target directly. It can be used in a project without using this module:

find_package(SDL2_ttf)
target_link_libraries(project_target PRIVATE SDL2_ttf::SDL2_ttf)

Similarly, for SDL_ttf version 3:

find_package(SDL3_ttf)
target_link_libraries(project_target PRIVATE SDL3_ttf::SDL3_ttf)

See Also

• The FindSDL module to find the main SDL library.