CSS background-size Property Reference

The CSS background-size property is a standard property in CSS Backgrounds and Borders. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

Updated 2026-08-12

background-size overview

The CSS background-size property is a standard property in CSS Backgrounds and Borders. 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

background-size formal syntax

Field	Value
Formal syntax	<bg-size>#
Initial value	auto auto
Applies to	allElements
Inherited	No
Percentages	relativeToBackgroundPositioningArea
Computed value	asSpecifiedRelativeToAbsoluteLengths
Animation type	repeatableList
Media	visual
Specification group	CSS Backgrounds and Borders
Status	Standard

Practical examples

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

background-size live example

CSS

.reset-example {
  background-size: initial;
}

.inherit-example {
  background-size: inherit;
}

@supports (background-size: initial) {
  .supported {
    background-size: initial;
  }
}