The initial value of a CSS property is its default value, as listed in its definition table in the specification. The usage of the initial value depends on whether a property is inherited or not:
- For inherited properties, the initial value is used on the root element only, as long as no specified value is supplied.
- For non-inherited properties, the initial value is used on all elements, as long as no specified value is supplied.
You can explicitly specify the initial value by using the initial keyword.
Note: The initial value should not be confused with the value specified by the browser's style sheet.
Specifications
| Specification | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| CSS Cascade 4 | Formal definition. | |
| CSS Level 2 (Revision 1)The definition of 'initial value' in that specification. | Recommendation | Implicit definition. |
See also
initial- CSS Key Concepts: CSS syntax, at-rule, comments, specificity and inheritance, the box, layout modes and visual formatting models, and margin collapsing, or the initial, computed, resolved, specified, used, and actual values. Definitions of value syntax, shorthand properties and replaced elements.
Initial value by Mozilla Contributors is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.5.
