coderef

writing-modeBaseline · Widely available

The writing-mode CSS property sets whether text is laid out horizontally or vertically, and left to right, or right to left.

Supported in all major browsers for at least 30 months — safe to use without fallbacks. Baseline since Mar 27, 2017. Widely available since Sep 27, 2019.

How to use ↓Compare browsers

Browser support

DesktopChrome
1–47Not supported
48+Supportedsince Jan 20, 2016
Current: 155
Edge
12+Supportedsince Jul 29, 2015
Current: 154
Firefox
1–40Not supported
41+Supportedsince Sep 22, 2015
Current: 157
Safari
1–10Not supported
10.1+Supportedsince Mar 27, 2017
Current: 27
MobileChrome Android
18–47Not supported
48+Supportedsince Jan 26, 2016
Current: 155
Firefox Android
4–40Not supported
41+Supportedsince Sep 22, 2015
Current: 157
Safari iOS
1–10Not supported
10.3+Supportedsince Mar 27, 2017
Current: 27

How to use

This feature is Baseline widely available — use it freely, no fallback needed.

Example

Full syntax and examples are on MDN: writing-mode.

Feature detection

CSS · check before using
@supports (writing-mode: initial) {
  /* styles that rely on writing-mode */
}

/* or in JavaScript */
if (CSS.supports("writing-mode", "initial")) {
  // use it
}

Documentation (MDN)

Specification

Usage share

Sub-features

Support for each part of the feature (7). The overall table above shows when the whole feature works.

Sub-featureChromeEdgeFirefoxSafariChrome AndroidFirefox AndroidSafari iOS
writing-mode48124110.1484110.3
writing-mode.horizontal-tb48124310.1484310.3
writing-mode.sideways-lr1321324318.41324318.4
writing-mode.sideways-rl1321324318.41324318.4
writing-mode.vertical-lr48124310.1484310.3
writing-mode.vertical-rl48124310.1484310.3
svg.global_attributes.writing-mode48124110.1484110.3