CSS initial-letter Property Reference

The CSS initial-letter property is a standard property in CSS Inline. Review its formal syntax, computed behavior, and practical declarations.

Updated 2026-08-12

initial-letter overview

The CSS initial-letter property is a standard property in CSS Inline. 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

initial-letter formal syntax

Field	Value
Formal syntax	normal \| [ <number> <integer>? ]
Initial value	normal
Applies to	firstLetterPseudoElementsAndInlineLevelFirstChildren
Inherited	No
Percentages	no
Computed value	asSpecified
Animation type	byComputedValueType
Media	visual
Specification group	CSS Inline
Status	Standard

Practical examples

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

initial-letter live example

CSS

.reset-example {
  initial-letter: initial;
}

.inherit-example {
  initial-letter: inherit;
}

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