font

The font CSS shorthand property sets all the different properties of an element's font. Alternatively, it sets an element's font to a system font.

As with any shorthand property, any individual value that is not specified is set to its corresponding initial value (possibly overriding values previously set using non-shorthand properties). Though not directly settable by font, the longhands font-size-adjust and font-kerning are also reset to their initial values.

Constituent properties

This property is a shorthand for the following CSS properties:

Syntax

The font property may be specified as either a single keyword, which will select a system font, or as a shorthand for various font-related properties.

If font is specified as a system keyword, it must be one of: caption, icon, menu, message-box, small-caption, status-bar.

If font is specified as a shorthand for several font-related properties, then:

  • it must include values for:
  • it may optionally include values for:
  • font-style, font-variant and font-weight must precede font-size
  • font-variant may only specify the values defined in CSS 2.1, that is normal and small-caps
  • font-stretch may only be a single keyword value.
  • line-height must immediately follow font-size, preceded by "/", like this: "16px/3"
  • font-family must be the last value specified.

Values

<'font-style'>
See the font-style CSS property.
<'font-variant'>
See the font-variant CSS property.
<'font-weight'>
See the font-weight CSS property.
<'font-stretch'>
See the font-stretch CSS property.
<'font-size'>
See the font-size CSS property.
<'line-height'>
See the line-height CSS property.
<'font-family'>
See the font-family CSS property.

System font values

caption
The system font used for captioned controls (e.g., buttons, drop-downs, etc.).
icon
The system font used to label icons.
The system font used in menus (e.g., dropdown menus and menu lists).
message-box
The system font used in dialog boxes.
small-caption
The system font used for labeling small controls.
status-bar
The system font used in window status bars.
Prefixed system font keywords
Browsers often implement several more, prefixed, keywords: Gecko implements -moz-window, -moz-document, -moz-desktop, -moz-info, -moz-dialog, -moz-button, -moz-pull-down-menu, -moz-list, and -moz-field.

Formal definition

Initial valueas each of the properties of the shorthand:
Applies toall elements. It also applies to ::first-letter and ::first-line.
Inheritedyes
Percentagesas each of the properties of the shorthand:
  • font-size: refer to the parent element's font size
  • line-height: refer to the font size of the element itself
Computed valueas each of the properties of the shorthand:
  • font-style: as specified
  • font-variant: as specified
  • font-weight: the keyword or the numerical value as specified, with bolder and lighter transformed to the real value
  • font-stretch: as specified
  • font-size: as specified, but with relative lengths converted into absolute lengths
  • line-height: for percentage and length values, the absolute length, otherwise as specified
  • font-family: as specified
Animation typeas each of the properties of the shorthand:

Formal syntax

[ [ <'font-style'> | <font-variant-css21> | <'font-weight'> | <'font-stretch'> ]? <'font-size'> [ / <'line-height'> ]? <'font-family'> ] | caption | icon | menu | message-box | small-caption | status-bar

where
<font-variant-css21> = [ normal | small-caps ]

Examples

Setting font properties

/* Set the font size to 12px and the line height to 14px.
   Set the font family to sans-serif */
p { font: 12px/14px sans-serif }

/* Set the font size to 80% of the parent element
   or default value (if no parent element present).
   Set the font family to sans-serif */
p { font: 80% sans-serif }

/* Set the font weight to bold,
   the font-style to italic,
   the font size to large,
   and the font family to serif. */
p { font: bold italic large serif }

/* Use the same font as the status bar of the window */
p { font: status-bar }

Live sample

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Fonts Module Level 3
The definition of 'font' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation Added support for font-stretch values.
CSS Level 2 (Revision 1)
The definition of 'font-weight' in that specification.
Recommendation Added support for keywords.
CSS Level 1
The definition of 'font' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
fontChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 3Opera Full support 3.5Safari Full support 1WebView Android Full support ≤37Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support 1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0
Support for font-stretch values in shorthandChrome Full support 60Edge Full support 79Firefox Full support 43IE No support NoOpera Full support 47Safari Full support 11WebView Android Full support 60Chrome Android Full support 60Firefox Android Full support 43Opera Android Full support 44Safari iOS Full support 11Samsung Internet Android Full support 8.0
System fontsChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 4Opera Full support 6Safari Full support 1WebView Android Full support 37Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support 1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support
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