CSS appearance Property Reference

The CSS appearance property is a standard property in CSS Basic User Interface. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

Updated 2026-08-12

appearance overview

The CSS appearance property is a standard property in CSS Basic User Interface. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

The property is not inherited by default. Use an explicit global keyword when inheritance is intended.

Syntax and formal definition

appearance formal syntax

Field	Value
Formal syntax	none \| auto \| <compat-auto> \| <compat-special>
Initial value	none
Applies to	allElements
Inherited	No
Percentages	no
Computed value	asSpecified
Animation type	discrete
Media	all
Specification group	CSS Basic User Interface
Status	Standard

Practical examples

These declarations demonstrate valid ways to set appearance. The initial and inherit global keywords remain available even when a property-specific value is preferable.

appearance live example

CSS

.reset-example {
  appearance: initial;
}

.inherit-example {
  appearance: inherit;
}

@supports (appearance: initial) {
  .supported {
    appearance: initial;
  }
}