CSS initial-letter-align Property Reference

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

Updated 2026-08-12

initial-letter-align overview

The CSS initial-letter-align property is a experimental 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-align formal syntax

Field	Value
Formal syntax	[ auto \| alphabetic \| hanging \| ideographic ]
Initial value	auto
Applies to	firstLetterPseudoElementsAndInlineLevelFirstChildren
Inherited	No
Percentages	no
Computed value	asSpecified
Animation type	discrete
Media	visual
Specification group	CSS Inline
Status	Experimental

Practical examples

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

initial-letter-align live example

CSS

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

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

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