The font-display
descriptor determines how a font face is displayed based on whether and when it is downloaded and ready to use.
The font display timeline
The font display timeline is based on a timer that begins the moment the user agent attempts to use a given downloaded font face. The timeline is divided into the three periods below which dictate the rendering behavior of any elements using the font face.
- Font block period
- If the font face is not loaded, any element attempting to use it must render an invisible fallback font face. If the font face successfully loads during this period, it is used normally.
- Font swap period
- If the font face is not loaded, any element attempting to use it must render a fallback font face. If the font face successfully loads during this period, it is used normally.
- Font failure period
- If the font face is not loaded, the user agent treats it as a failed load causing normal font fallback.
Related at-rule | @font-face |
---|---|
Initial value | auto |
Computed value | as specified |
Syntax
/* Keyword values */
font-display: auto;
font-display: block;
font-display: swap;
font-display: fallback;
font-display: optional;
Values
auto
- The font display strategy is defined by the user agent.
block
- Gives the font face a short block period and an infinite swap period.
swap
- Gives the font face an extremely small block period and an infinite swap period.
fallback
- Gives the font face an extremely small block period and a short swap period.
optional
- Gives the font face an extremely small block period and no swap period.
Formal syntax
Examples
@font-face {
font-family: ExampleFont;
src: url(/path/to/fonts/examplefont.woff) format('woff'),
url(/path/to/fonts/examplefont.eot) format('eot');
font-weight: 400;
font-style: normal;
font-display: fallback;
}
Specifications
Specification | Status | Comment |
---|---|---|
CSS Fonts Module Level 4 The definition of 'font-display' in that specification. |
Working Draft | Initial definition |
Browser compatibility
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The compatibility table on this page is generated from structured data. If you'd like to contribute to the data, please check out https://github.com/mdn/browser-compat-data and send us a pull request.