image-rendering property CSS Reference



Definition and Usage

The image-rendering CSS property provides a hint to the user agent about how to handle its image rendering.  It applies to any images appearing on the element properties, but has no effect on non-scaled images.. For example, if the natural size of the image is 100×100px but the page author specifies the dimensions to 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).

  • Initial auto
  • Applies to all elements
  • Inherited yes
  • Media visual
  • Computed Value as specified
  • Animatable no
  • Canonical order the unique non-ambiguous order defined by the formal grammar

Syntax

Formal syntax: auto | crisp-edges | pixelated
image-rendering: auto
image-rendering: crisp-edges
image-rendering: pixelated
image-rendering: inherit

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 simply composed of very large pixels. When scaling down, this is the same as 'auto'.

The values  optimizeQuality and optimizeSpeed present in early draft (and coming from its SVG counterpart) are defined as synonyms for the auto value.


Examples

/* applies to GIF and PNG images; avoids blurry edges */
img[src$=".gif"], img[src$=".png"] {
                   image-rendering: -moz-crisp-edges;         /* Firefox */
                   image-rendering:   -o-crisp-edges;         /* Opera */
                   image-rendering: -webkit-optimize-contrast;/* Webkit (non-standard naming) */
                   image-rendering: crisp-edges;
                   -ms-interpolation-mode: nearest-neighbor;  /* IE (non-standard property) */
                 }
div {
        background: url(chessboard.gif) no-repeat 50% 50%;
        image-rendering: -moz-crisp-edges;         /* Firefox */
        image-rendering:   -o-crisp-edges;         /* Opera */
        image-rendering: -webkit-optimize-contrast;/* Webkit (non-standard naming) */
        image-rendering: crisp-edges;
        -ms-interpolation-mode: nearest-neighbor;  /* IE (non-standard property) */
}

Compatibility

Desktop browsers

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari (WebKit)
Basic support (auto) (Yes) 3.6 (1.9.2) Not supported 11.60 6533.21.1, r86920
crisp-edges (Yes) with the non-standard name -webkit-optimize-contrast 3.6 (1.9.2)-moz Not supported 11.60-o 6533.21.1, r86920 with the non-standard name -webkit-optimize-contrast
pixelated Not supported Not supported Not supported Not supported Not supported
optimizeQuality, optimizeSpeedNon-standard Not supported 3.6 (1.9.2) Not supported 11.60 6533.21.1, r86920

Mobile browsers

Feature Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Phone Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support NA NA NA NA NA

Relative articles