text-emphasis-position

The text-emphasis-position CSS property sets where emphasis marks are drawn. Like ruby text, if there isn't enough room for emphasis marks, the line height is increased.

/* Initial value */
text-emphasis-position: over right;

/* Keywords value */
text-emphasis-position: over left;
text-emphasis-position: under right;
text-emphasis-position: under left;

text-emphasis-position: left over;
text-emphasis-position: right under;
text-emphasis-position: left under;

/* Global values */
text-emphasis-position: inherit;
text-emphasis-position: initial;
text-emphasis-position: unset;

Syntax

Values

over
Draw marks over the text in horizontal writing mode.
under
Draw marks under the text in horizontal writing mode.
right
Draws marks to the right of the text in vertical writing mode.
left
Draw marks to the left of the text in vertical writing mode.

Description

The preferred position of emphasis marks depends on the language. In Japanese for example, the preferred position is over right. In Chinese, on the other hand, the preferred position is under right. The informative table below summarizes the preferred emphasis mark positions for Chinese, Mongolian and Japanese:

Preferred emphasis mark and ruby position
Language Preferred position Illustration
Horizontal Vertical
Japanese over right Emphasis marks appear over each emphasized character in horizontal Japanese text. Emphasis marks appear on the right of each emphasized character in vertical Japanese text.
Korean
Mongolian
Chinese under right Emphasis marks appear below each emphasized character in horizontal Simplified Chinese text.

Note: The text-emphasis-position cannot be set, and therefore are not reset either, using the text-emphasis shorthand property.

Formal definition

Initial valueover right
Applies toall elements
Inheritedno
Computed valueas specified
Animation typediscrete

Formal syntax

[ over | under ] && [ right | left ]

Examples

Preferring ruby over emphasis marks

Some editors prefer to hide emphasis marks when they conflict with ruby. In HTML, this can be done with the following style rule:

ruby {
  text-emphasis: none;
}

Preferring emphasis marks over ruby

Some other editors prefer to hide ruby when they conflict with emphasis marks. In HTML, this can be done with the following pattern:

em {
  text-emphasis: dot; /* Set text-emphasis for <em> elements */
}

em rt {
  display: none; /* Hide ruby inside <em> elements */
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
CSS Text Decoration Module Level 3
The definition of 'text-emphasis' in that specification.
Candidate Recommendation Initial definition

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
text-emphasis-positionChrome Full support 25
Prefixed
Full support 25
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Edge Full support 79
Prefixed
Full support 79
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Firefox Full support 46
Full support 46
No support 45 — 49
Disabled
Disabled From version 45 until version 49 (exclusive): this feature is behind the layout.css.text-emphasis.enabled preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
IE No support NoOpera Full support 15
Prefixed
Full support 15
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Safari Full support 6.1
Full support 6.1
Full support 6.1
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
WebView Android Full support 4.4
Prefixed
Full support 4.4
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Chrome Android Full support 25
Prefixed
Full support 25
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Firefox Android Full support 46
Full support 46
No support 45 — 49
Disabled
Disabled From version 45 until version 49 (exclusive): this feature is behind the layout.css.text-emphasis.enabled preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
Opera Android Full support 14
Prefixed
Full support 14
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Safari iOS Full support 7
Full support 7
Full support 7
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.5
Prefixed
Full support 1.5
Prefixed
Prefixed Implemented with the vendor prefix: -webkit-
left and rightChrome Full support 62Edge Full support 79Firefox Full support 46IE No support NoOpera Full support 49Safari Full support 8WebView Android Full support 62Chrome Android Full support 62Firefox Android Full support 46Opera Android Full support 46Safari iOS Full support 8Samsung Internet Android Full support 8.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
User must explicitly enable this feature.
User must explicitly enable this feature.
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.

See also