image-rendering

The image-rendering CSS property sets an image scaling algorithm. The property applies to an element itself, to any images set in its other properties, and to its descendants.

The user agent will scale an image when the page author specifies dimensions other than its natural size. Scaling may also occur due to user interaction (zooming). For example, if the natural size of an image is 100×100px, but its actual dimensions are 200×200px (or 50×50px), then the image will be upscaled (or downscaled) using the algorithm specified by image-rendering. This property has no effect on non-scaled images.

Syntax

/* Keyword values */
image-rendering: auto;
image-rendering: crisp-edges;
image-rendering: pixelated;

/* Global values */
image-rendering: inherit;
image-rendering: initial;
image-rendering: unset;

Values

auto

The scaling algorithm is UA dependent. Since version 1.9 (Firefox 3.0), Gecko uses bilinear resampling (high quality).

smooth

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.

high-quality

Identical to smooth, but with a preference for higher-quality scaling. If system resources are constrained, images with high-quality should be prioritized over those with any other value, when considering which images to degrade the quality of and to what degree.

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. Suitable algorithms include nearest-neighbor and other non-smoothing scaling algorithms such as 2×SaI and hqx-family algorithms. This value is intended for pixel-art images, such as in browser games.

pixelated

When scaling the image up, the nearest-neighbor algorithm must be used, so that the image appears to be composed of large pixels. When scaling down, this is the same as auto.

Formal definition

Formal syntax

auto | crisp-edges | pixelated

Examples

Setting image scaling algorithms

In practical use, the pixelated and crisp-edges rules can be combined to provide some fallback for each other. (Just prepend the actual rules with the fallback.) The Canvas API can provide a fallback solution for pixelated through manual image data manipulation or with imageSmoothingEnabled.

<div>
  <img class="auto" alt="auto" src="https://udn.realityripple.com/samples/de/cedd397be3.jpg" />
  <img class="pixelated" alt="pixelated" src="https://udn.realityripple.com/samples/de/cedd397be3.jpg" />
  <img class="crisp-edges" alt="crisp-edges" src="https://udn.realityripple.com/samples/de/cedd397be3.jpg" />
</div>

img {
  height: 200px;
}

CSS

.auto {
  image-rendering: auto;
}

.pixelated {
  -ms-interpolation-mode: nearest-neighbor;
  image-rendering: pixelated;
}

.crisp-edges {
  image-rendering: -webkit-optimize-contrast;
  image-rendering: crisp-edges;
}

Result

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• Other image-related CSS properties: object-fit, object-position, image-orientation, image-rendering, image-resolution.