window.requestIdleCallback()

This is an experimental technology
Check the Browser compatibility table carefully before using this in production.

The window.requestIdleCallback() method queues a function to be called during a browser's idle periods. This enables developers to perform background and low priority work on the main event loop, without impacting latency-critical events such as animation and input response. Functions are generally called in first-in-first-out order; however, callbacks which have a timeout specified may be called out-of-order if necessary in order to run them before the timeout elapses.

You can call requestIdleCallback() within an idle callback function to schedule another callback to take place no sooner than the next pass through the event loop.

A timeout option is strongly recommended for required work, as otherwise it's possible multiple seconds will elapse before the callback is fired.

Syntax

var handle = window.requestIdleCallback(callback[, options])

Return value

An ID which can be used to cancel the callback by passing it into the window.cancelIdleCallback() method.

Parameters

callback
A reference to a function that should be called in the near future, when the event loop is idle. The callback function is passed an IdleDeadline object describing the amount of time available and whether or not the callback has been run because the timeout period expired.
options Optional
Contains optional configuration parameters. Currently only one property is defined:
  • timeout: If timeout is specified and has a positive value, and the callback has not already been called by the time timeout milliseconds have passed, the callback will be called during the next idle period, even if doing so risks causing a negative performance impact.

Example

See our complete example in the article Cooperative Scheduling of Background Tasks API.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Cooperative Scheduling of Background Tasks Proposed Recommendation Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
requestIdleCallback
Experimental
Chrome Full support 47Edge Full support 79Firefox Full support 55
Notes
Full support 55
Notes
Notes Enabled by default.
No support 53 — 55
Notes
Notes Implemented but disabled by default.
IE No support NoOpera Full support 34Safari No support NoWebView Android Full support 47Chrome Android Full support 47Firefox Android Full support 55
Notes
Full support 55
Notes
Notes Enabled by default.
No support 53 — 55
Notes
Notes Implemented but disabled by default.
Opera Android Full support 34Safari iOS No support NoSamsung Internet Android Full support 5.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.
Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.

See also