Using media queries

A media query is composed of an optional media type and any number of media feature expressions, which may optionally be combined in various ways using logical operators. Media queries are case-insensitive.

• Media types define the broad category of device for which the media query applies: all, print, screen.

  The type is optional (assumed to be all) except when using the only logical operator.

• Media features describe a specific characteristic of the user agent, output device, or environment:

  • any-hover
  • any-pointer
  • aspect-ratio
  • color
  • color-gamut
  • color-index
  • device-aspect-ratio Deprecated
  • device-height Deprecated
  • device-width Deprecated
  • display-mode
  • dynamic-range
  • forced-colors
  • grid
  • height
  • hover
  • inverted-colors
  • monochrome
  • orientation
  • overflow-block
  • overflow-inline
  • pointer
  • prefers-color-scheme
  • prefers-contrast
  • prefers-reduced-motion
  • prefers-reduced-transparency
  • resolution
  • scripting
  • update
  • video-dynamic-range
  • width.

  For example, the hover feature allows a query to check whether the device supports hovering over elements. Media feature expressions test for their presence or value, and are entirely optional. Each media feature expression must be surrounded by parentheses.

• Logical operators can be used to compose a complex media query: not, and, and only. You can also combine multiple media queries into a single rule by separating them with commas.

A media query computes to true when the media type (if specified) matches the device on which a document is being displayed and all media feature expressions compute as true. Queries involving unknown media types are always false.

Media types describe the general category of a given device. Although websites are commonly designed with screens in mind, you may want to create styles that target special devices such as printers or audio-based screen readers. For example, this CSS targets printers:

@media print {
  /* … */
}

You can also target multiple devices. For instance, this @media rule uses two media queries to target both screen and print devices:

@media screen, print {
  /* … */
}

See media types for the list of available media types. Because media types describe devices in very broad terms, most of the originally-defined media types were deprecated, with just screen, print, and all remaining. To target more specific attributes, use media features instead.

Media features describe the specific characteristics of a given user agent, output device, or environment. For instance, you can apply specific styles to widescreen monitors, computers that use mice, or devices that are being used in low-light conditions. This example applies styles when the user's primary input mechanism (such as a mouse) can hover over elements:

@media (hover: hover) {
  /* … */
}

Media features are either range or discrete.

Discrete features take their value from an enumerated set of possible keyword values. For example, the discrete orientation feature accepts either landscape or portrait.

@media print and (orientation: portrait) {
  /* … */
}

Many range features can be prefixed with "min-" or "max-" to express "minimum condition" or "maximum condition" constraints. For example, this CSS will apply styles only if your browser's viewport width is equal to or narrower than 1250px:

@media (max-width: 1250px) {
  /* … */
}

This can also be written as:

@media (width <= 1250px) {
  /* … */
}

With media query range features, you can either use the inclusive min- and max- prefixes or the more concise range syntax operators <= and =>.

The following media queries are equivalent:

@media (min-width: 30em) and (max-width: 50em) {
  /* … */
}

@media (30em <= width <= 50em) {
  /* … */
}

The range comparisons above are inclusive. To not include the comparison value, use < and >.

@media (30em < width < 50em) {
  /* … */
}

If you create a media feature query without specifying a value, the nested styles will be used as long as the feature's value is not 0 or none. For example, this CSS will apply to any device with a color screen:

@media (color) {
  /* … */
}

If a feature doesn't apply to the device on which the browser is running, expressions involving that media feature are always false.

For more Media feature examples, please see the reference page for each specific feature.

Sometimes you may want to create a media query that depends on multiple conditions. This is where the logical operators come in: not, and, and only. Furthermore, you can combine multiple media queries into a comma-separated list; this allows you to apply the same styles in different situations.

In the previous example, we saw the and operator used to group a media type with a media feature. The and operator can also combine multiple media features into a single media query. The not operator, meanwhile, negates a media query, basically reversing its normal meaning. The only operator prevents older browsers from applying the styles.

The and keyword combines a media feature with a media type or other media features. This example combines two media features to restrict styles to landscape-oriented devices with a width of at least 30 ems:

@media (min-width: 30em) and (orientation: landscape) {
  /* … */
}

To limit the styles to devices with a screen, you can chain the media features to the screen media type:

@media screen and (min-width: 30em) and (orientation: landscape) {
  /* … */
}

You can use a comma-separated list of media queries to apply styles when the user's device matches any one of various media types, features, or states.

The following rule contains two media queries. The block's styles will apply if either the user's device has a height of 680px or more or if the browser viewport is in portrait mode (the viewport height is greater than the viewport width):

@media (min-height: 680px), screen and (orientation: portrait) {
  /* … */
}

In this example, if the user is printing to a PDF and the page height is 800px, the media query returns true because the first query component — which tests whether the viewport has a height of 680px or more — is true. Likewise, if a user is on a smartphone in portrait mode with a viewport height of 480px, the media query returns true because the second query component is true.

In a comma-separated list of media queries, the individual media queries end at the comma or, in the case of the last media query in the list, at the opening bracket ({).

The not keyword inverts the meaning of a single media query. For example, the CSS styles in this media query will apply to everything except printed media:

@media not print {
  /* … */
}

The not negates only the media query it is applied to. The not, without parenthesis, negates all the features within the media query in which it is contained. This means, in a comma-separated list of media queries, each not applies to the single query it is contained within, applying to all the features within that single query. In this example, the not applies to the first media query, which concludes at the first comma:

@media not screen and (color), print and (color) {
  /* … */
}

The above query is evaluated like this:

@media (not (screen and (color))), print and (color) {
  /* … */
}

Both examples are valid. Media conditions can be grouped by wrapping them in parentheses (()). These groups can then be nested within a condition the same as a single media query.

The not is evaluated last in a media query, meaning it applies to the entire media query, not to a single feature within a query, as if an open parenthesis was added immediately after the not and closed at the end of the media query.

The following query:

@media not all and (monochrome) {
  /* … */
}

is evaluated like this:

@media not (all and (monochrome)) {
  /* … */
}

It is not evaluated like this:

@media (not all) and (monochrome) {
  /* … */
}

To negate a single feature within a media query, use parenthesis. Encompassing a not and a media feature in parentheses limits the components of the query that get negated.

In this example, we negate the hover media feature but not the all media type:

@media all and (not(hover)) {
  /* … */
}

The not(hover) matches if the device has no hover capability. In this case, because of the parentheses, the not applies to hover but not to all.

The only keyword prevents older browsers that do not support media queries with media features from applying the given styles. It has no effect on modern browsers.

@media only screen and (color) {
  /* … */
}

You can use or to test for a match among more than one feature, resolving to true if any of the features are true. For example, the following query tests for devices that have a monochrome display or hover capability:

@media (not (color)) or (hover) {
  /* … */
}

• @media
• Container queries
• Testing media queries programmatically
• CSS Animations Between Media Queries
• Extended Mozilla media features
• Extended WebKit media features