What Is Fountain?
Fountain is an open-source, plain-text markup language designed specifically for writing screenplays. Created by John August and Nima Yousefi in 2012, it allows you to write a fully formatted screenplay using nothing more than a basic text editor — no special software required.
The core idea is simple: your screenplay is stored as a .fountain file, which is just a .txt file with smart formatting rules. Scene headings are written in uppercase. Character names appear in uppercase above their dialogue. Action lines are plain paragraphs. A Fountain-compatible application reads these conventions and renders a beautifully formatted screenplay in standard industry layout.
Think of Fountain as Markdown for screenplays. Just as Markdown lets you write formatted documents in plain text, Fountain lets you write formatted screenplays without ever touching a formatting toolbar.
How Fountain Syntax Works
Fountain's syntax is designed to be intuitive. If you have ever read a screenplay, you will already understand most of it. Here are the key elements:
Scene Headings
A line that begins with INT., EXT., INT./EXT., or EST. is automatically recognized as a scene heading. You can also force any line to be a scene heading by prefixing it with a single period.
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
.DREAM SEQUENCEAction
Any paragraph that is not recognized as another element is treated as action. Simply write your action lines as plain text.
The door swings open. SARAH steps inside, dripping wet.Character Names and Dialogue
A character name is written in ALL CAPS on its own line. The line immediately following it is the dialogue. Parentheticals go in parentheses between the name and dialogue.
SARAH
(shivering)
I thought you said it wasn't going to rain.
JAMES
I said it *probably* wasn't going to rain.Transitions
Lines ending in TO: are automatically formatted as transitions. You can also force a transition with a > prefix.
CUT TO:
> FADE TO BLACKTitle Page
Fountain supports title page metadata at the top of the file using a simple Key: Value format:
Title: My Great Screenplay
Credit: Written by
Author: Jane Writer
Draft date: 03/18/2026Other Elements
Fountain also handles centered text (> centered text <), dual dialogue (using a ^ after the second character name), section headings (# syntax), synopses (= synopsis text), notes ([[notes]]), and emphasis (*italic*, **bold**, ***bold italic***).
Why Fountain Matters
Fountain is not just a niche format for tech-savvy writers. It solves real problems that every screenwriter faces:
No Vendor Lock-In
When you write in Final Draft, your script lives in an .fdx file that only Final Draft fully understands. If Final Draft raises prices, changes its terms, or stops updating, your files are at risk. A Fountain file is plain text — it will be readable in 50 years on any computer, no special software needed.
Works Everywhere
Fountain files open in any text editor on any operating system. You can start writing on your Mac in Highland Pro, continue on your Windows laptop in Notepad, and polish on your phone in a plain-text app. Your file is always compatible.
Version Control Friendly
Because Fountain files are plain text, they work seamlessly with version control systems like Git. You can track every change to your screenplay, create branches for different draft approaches, and merge changes — something that is impossible with binary file formats.
Human Readable
Open a .fountain file in any text editor and you can read the screenplay immediately. The formatting conventions are natural enough that the raw text closely resembles a finished script. Compare this to an .fdx file, which is XML soup when opened in a text editor.
Which Screenwriting Tools Support Fountain
Fountain has been widely adopted across the screenwriting software landscape. Here is where each major tool stands:
Native Fountain Editors (Fountain is the primary format)
- Highland Pro — Created by John August, one of Fountain's inventors. The definitive Fountain writing experience on Mac. Fountain is its native file format.
- Beat — Free, open-source Mac app that uses Fountain natively. A beautiful, minimal writing environment built entirely around the Fountain format.
- Slugline — Mac-only app that pioneered the Fountain-native workflow. Clean, distraction-free interface designed around Fountain's plain-text philosophy.
Apps with Fountain Import/Export
- WriterSolo — Free desktop app that imports and exports Fountain files alongside FDX and PDF.
- PinkDraft — Imports Fountain files for editing in its focused writing environment.
- Fade In Professional — Full Fountain import and export support. Fade In can open, edit, and save Fountain files natively.
- WriterDuet — Supports Fountain import and export, making it easy to move scripts between WriterDuet and Fountain-native tools.
- Arc Studio Pro — Imports Fountain files, allowing you to bring existing Fountain scripts into Arc Studio's modern interface.
- Scrivener — The popular writing tool supports Fountain through its scriptwriting mode and can import/export the format.
Fountain vs FDX: A Direct Comparison
| Feature | Fountain (.fountain) | FDX (.fdx) |
|---|---|---|
| File format | Plain text | XML (proprietary) |
| Human readable | Yes, immediately | Technically, but messy |
| Vendor lock-in | None (open standard) | Tied to Final Draft |
| Revision marks | Not natively supported | Full support |
| Production features | Limited | Scene locking, A/B pages, etc. |
| Industry acceptance | Growing (export to PDF) | Standard in Hollywood |
| Version control (Git) | Excellent | Poor |
| Future-proof | Completely | Depends on Final Draft |
The bottom line: Fountain is ideal for writing — the creative stage where you want zero friction. FDX is for production — when you need revision colors, locked pages, and compatibility with production breakdown tools. Most writers benefit from writing in Fountain and exporting to FDX or PDF when the script moves into production.
Getting Started with Fountain
The beauty of Fountain is that you can start right now, with no new software. Here is how:
- Open any text editor — Notepad, TextEdit, VS Code, or even Google Docs.
- Start writing using the syntax rules above. Scene headings in caps, character names in caps, dialogue below.
- Save as
.fountain(or.txt— both work). - Preview and export by opening your file in a Fountain app like Highland Pro, Beat (free), or WriterSolo (free).
For the best experience, we recommend starting with Beat if you are on Mac (it is free and open-source) or WriterSolo on Windows (also free). Both apps give you real-time Fountain preview alongside your plain-text writing.
For a full comparison of all screenwriting tools and their format support, see our comparison page or browse our reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fountain format for screenplays?
Fountain is an open-source, plain-text markup language for writing screenplays. You write in any text editor using simple rules (like ALL CAPS for scene headings), and Fountain-compatible apps convert your text into a properly formatted screenplay. Your script is always a readable .fountain text file, free from vendor lock-in.
Which screenwriting apps support Fountain?
Highland Pro, Beat, Slugline, WriterSolo, PinkDraft, Fade In, WriterDuet, Arc Studio Pro, and Scrivener all support Fountain import, export, or native editing. Highland Pro and Beat use Fountain as their native file format.
Is Fountain format better than FDX?
Fountain and FDX serve different purposes. Fountain is human-readable plain text that works in any editor and will never become obsolete. FDX is Final Draft's proprietary XML format that preserves complex formatting and revision marks. For portability and future-proofing, Fountain wins. For production-level features, FDX may still be necessary.
Can I submit a Fountain file to a production company?
Production companies typically expect PDF or FDX files. You would write in Fountain and then export to PDF using any Fountain-compatible app like Highland Pro, Beat, or WriterSolo. The exported PDF will be indistinguishable from one created in Final Draft.