diff --git a/platformio.ini b/platformio.ini
index e87678e0..e6f61d37 100644
--- a/platformio.ini
+++ b/platformio.ini
@@ -1078,6 +1078,7 @@ build_flags_S =
   -D WLEDMM_FASTPATH ;; WLEDMM experimental option. Reduces audio lag (latency), and allows for faster LED framerates. May break compatibility with previous versions.
   ; -D WLED_DEBUG_HEAP ;; WLEDMM enable heap debugging
   -D WLED_ENABLE_GIF
+  ; -D WLED_ENABLE_FULL_FONTS  ;; uncomment for (limited) unicode support in scrolling text - warning: increases firmware size by 6848 bytes
 
 lib_deps_S =
   ;; https://github.com/kosme/arduinoFFT#develop @ 1.9.2+sha.419d7b0 ;; used for USERMOD_AUDIOREACTIVE - using "known working" hash
@@ -1093,6 +1094,7 @@ build_flags_M =
   -D USERMOD_FOUR_LINE_DISPLAY
   -D USERMOD_ROTARY_ENCODER_UI
   -D USERMOD_AUTO_SAVE
+  -D WLED_ENABLE_FULL_FONTS  ;; enables (limited) unicode support in scrolling text - warning: increases firmware size by 6848 bytes
   ${common_mm.animartrix_build_flags}
   ${common_mm.NetDebug_build_flags}
 
@@ -1677,6 +1679,7 @@ build_flags = ${esp32_4MB_V4_S_base.esp32_build_flags}
   -D WLED_DISABLE_MQTT
   -D WLED_DISABLE_INFRARED
   -D WLED_DISABLE_ADALIGHT
+  -D WLED_ENABLE_FULL_FONTS  ;; increases firmware size by 6848 bytes
   ;; -D WLED_DEBUG
   ;; -D SR_DEBUG
   -D WLED_BOOTUPDELAY=350
diff --git a/wled00/src/font/codepages.h b/wled00/src/font/codepages.h
index c139da51..d067da94 100644
--- a/wled00/src/font/codepages.h
+++ b/wled00/src/font/codepages.h
@@ -3,6 +3,11 @@
 #include <stdlib.h> // needed to get uint16_t definition
 #include <stdint.h> // helps for code analysis with clang
 
+// always disable unicode for 8266 builds - not enough program space
+#if !defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32) && defined(WLED_ENABLE_FULL_FONTS)
+#undef WLED_ENABLE_FULL_FONTS
+#endif
+
 //constexpr uint16_t UNKNOWN_CODE = 0x2219;  // ∙ multiplication dot
 constexpr uint16_t UNKNOWN_CODE = 0x00B7;   //  · middle dot
 constexpr uint16_t BAD_CODE     = 0x2022;   //  • bigger dot