Fountain is a simple markup syntax for writing screenplays in plain text. It was designed to be human-readable while still producing perfectly formatted scripts. No special software required — just you and your words.
Write in plain text. Export a perfect screenplay. That's the Fountain promise.
Why Fountain?
Traditional screenwriting software locks your work into proprietary formats. Final Draft files only open in Final Draft. Celtx needs an account. Movie Magic costs hundreds of dollars.
Fountain files are just text — you can open them anywhere, edit them with any tool, and never worry about compatibility. Your screenplay belongs to you, forever.
Tip
Fountain files use the .fountain extension, but they're just .txt files renamed. You can open them in any text editor on any device.
Scene Headings
Scene headings (also called slug lines) tell us where and when we are. They start with INT. (interior) or EXT. (exterior), followed by location and time of day.
Note
You can also use INT./EXT. for locations that are both inside and outside, like a car or doorway.
Action Lines
Any paragraph that isn't dialogue or a scene heading is action. This is where you describe what we see and hear. Write in present tense, keep it visual.
Tip
Keep action lines short and punchy. White space is your friend. Break long paragraphs into smaller chunks for faster reading.
Characters and Dialogue
Character names are written in ALL CAPS on their own line. Dialogue follows immediately below, unindented.
Character names only need to be in ALL CAPS the first time for production purposes — but in Fountain, they're always caps. It helps the parser know who's talking.
Parentheticals
Sometimes you need to add a quick direction for how a line should be delivered. These go in parentheses between the character name and their dialogue.
Warning
Use parentheticals sparingly. If you need to explain every line reading, the dialogue might need work. Trust your actors.
Putting It All Together
Here's a complete scene using everything we've covered:
What's Next
You now know the basics of Fountain format. Scene headings, action, characters, dialogue, parentheticals — that's 90% of what you'll use.
Ready to try it yourself?
Tip
Open CoffeeDraft and start writing. The editor formats everything as you type. No learning curve, no manual formatting. Just write.