initial-letter
The initial-letter CSS property sets styling for dropped, raised, and sunken initial letters.
/* Keyword values */
initial-letter: normal;
/* Numeric values */
initial-letter: 1.5; /* Initial letter occupies 1.5 lines */
initial-letter: 3.0; /* Initial letter occupies 3 lines */
initial-letter: 3.0 2; /* Initial letter occupies 3 lines and
sinks 2 lines */
/* Global values */
initial-letter: inherit;
initial-letter: initial;
initial-letter: revert;
initial-letter: unset;
Syntax
The keyword value normal, or a <number> optionally followed by an <integer>.
Values
normal-
No special initial-letter effect. Text behaves as normal.
<number>-
Defines the size of the initial letter, in terms of how many lines it occupies. Negative values are not allowed.
<integer>-
Defines the number of lines the initial letter should sink when the size of it is given. Values must be greater than zero. If omitted, it duplicates the size value, floored to the nearest positive whole number.
Formal definition
| Initial value | normal |
|---|---|
| Applies to | ::first-letter pseudo-elements and inline-level first child of a block container |
| Inherited | no |
| Computed value | as specified |
| Animation type | discrete |
Formal syntax
Examples
Setting initial letter size
HTML
<p class="normal">Initial letter is normal</p>
<p class="onefive">Initial letter occupies 1.5 lines</p>
<p class="three">Initial letter occupies 3 lines</p>
CSS
.normal::first-letter {
-webkit-initial-letter: normal;
initial-letter: normal;
}
.onefive::first-letter {
-webkit-initial-letter: 1.5;
initial-letter: 1.5;
}
.three::first-letter {
-webkit-initial-letter: 3.0;
initial-letter: 3.0;
}
Result
Specifications
| Specification |
|---|
| CSS Inline Layout Module Level 3 # sizing-drop-initials |
Browser compatibility
BCD tables only load in the browser