CSS border-image Property Reference

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

Updated 2026-08-12

border-image overview

The CSS border-image 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

border-image formal syntax

Field	Value
Formal syntax	<'border-image-source'> \|\| <'border-image-slice'> [ / <'border-image-width'> \| / <'border-image-width'>? / <'border-image-outset'> ]? \|\| <'border-image-repeat'>
Initial value	border-image-source, border-image-slice, border-image-width, border-image-outset, border-image-repeat
Applies to	allElementsExceptTableElementsWhenCollapse
Inherited	No
Percentages	border-image-slice, border-image-width
Computed value	border-image-source, border-image-slice, border-image-width, border-image-outset, border-image-repeat
Animation type	border-image-source, border-image-slice, border-image-width, border-image-outset, border-image-repeat
Media	visual
Specification group	CSS Backgrounds and Borders
Status	Standard

Practical examples

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

border-image live example

CSS

.reset-example {
  border-image: initial;
}

.inherit-example {
  border-image: inherit;
}

@supports (border-image: initial) {
  .supported {
    border-image: initial;
  }
}