This is an experimental technology
Check the Browser compatibility table carefully before using this in production.
The image-rendering
CSS property provides a hint to the browser about the algorithm it should use to scale images.
/* Keyword values */ image-rendering: auto; image-rendering: crisp-edges; image-rendering: pixelated; /* Global values */ image-rendering: inherit; image-rendering: initial; image-rendering: unset;
This property applies to the element itself, as well as any images supplied in other properties for the element. It has no effect on non-scaled images. For example, if the natural size of the image is 100×100px but the page author specifies its dimensions as 200×200px
(or 50×50px
), then the image will be upscaled (or downscaled) to the new dimensions using the specified algorithm. Scaling may also apply due to user interaction (zooming).
Canvas can provide a fallback solution for crisp-edge/optimize-contrast through manual image data manipulation.
Initial value | auto |
---|---|
Applies to | all elements |
Inherited | yes |
Media | visual |
Computed value | as specified |
Animation type | discrete |
Canonical order | the unique non-ambiguous order defined by the formal grammar |
Syntax
Values
auto
- Default value, the image should be scaled with an algorithm that maximizes the appearance of the image. In particular, scaling algorithms that "smooth" colors are acceptable, such as bilinear interpolation. This is intended for images such as photos. Since version 1.9 (Firefox 3.0), Gecko uses bilinear resampling (high quality).
crisp-edges
- The image must be scaled with an algorithm that preserves contrast and edges in the image, and which does not smooth colors or introduce blur to the image in the process. This is intended for images such as pixel art.
pixelated
- When scaling the image up, the "nearest neighbor" or similar algorithm must be used, so that the image appears to be composed of large pixels. When scaling down, this is the same as 'auto'.
optimizeQuality
and optimizeSpeed
present in an early draft (and coming from its SVG counterpart) are defined as synonyms for the auto
value.Formal syntax
auto | crisp-edges | pixelated
Examples
/* applies to GIF and PNG images; avoids blurry edges */ img[src$=".gif"], img[src$=".png"] { image-rendering: crisp-edges; }
div { background: url(chessboard.gif) no-repeat 50% 50%; image-rendering: crisp-edges; }
Live Examples
image-rendering: auto;
78% 100%
138%
downsized
upsized
image-rendering: pixelated; (-ms-interpolation-mode: nearest-neighbor)
78% 100%
138%
downsized
upsized
image-rendering: crisp-edges; (-webkit-optimize-contrast)
78% 100%
138%
downsized
upsized
Specifications
Specification | Status | Comment |
---|---|---|
CSS Images Module Level 3 The definition of 'image-rendering' in that specification. |
Candidate Recommendation | Initial definition |
Note: Though initially similar to the SVG image-rendering
attribute, the values are quite different now.
Browser compatibility
Feature | Chrome | Edge | Firefox | Internet Explorer | Opera | Safari |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic support | Yes | No | 3.6 | No | Yes | Yes |
crisp-edges | No | No | 3.6 -moz- | No | Yes -o- | Yes1 |
pixelated | 41 | No | No | No | 26 | ? |
optimizeQuality | No | No | 3.6 | No | Yes | Yes |
optimizeSpeed | No | No | 3.6 | No | Yes | Yes |
Feature | Android webview | Chrome for Android | Edge mobile | Firefox for Android | IE mobile | Opera Android | iOS Safari |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic support | 41 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
crisp-edges | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
pixelated | ? | 41 | ? | ? | ? | 28 | ? |
optimizeQuality | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
optimizeSpeed | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
1. Supported as -webkit-optimize-contrast
.