`font-variant-emoji` CSS property

The font-variant-emoji CSS property specifies the default presentation style for displaying emojis.

Traditionally, this was done by appending a Variation Selector, U+FE0E for text and U+FE0F for emoji, to the emoji code point. Only emojis listed as contributing to a Unicode emoji presentation sequence are affected by this property.

Syntax

css

/* Keyword values */
font-variant-emoji: normal;
font-variant-emoji: text;
font-variant-emoji: emoji;
font-variant-emoji: unicode;

/* Global values */
font-variant-emoji: inherit;
font-variant-emoji: initial;
font-variant-emoji: revert;
font-variant-emoji: revert-layer;
font-variant-emoji: unset;

Values

This property is specified as one of the following keyword values:

normal: Allows a browser to choose how to display the emoji. This often follows the operating system setting.
text: Renders the emoji as if it were using the unicode text variation selector (U+FE0E).
emoji: Renders the emoji as if it were using the unicode emoji variation selector (U+FE0F).
unicode: Renders the emoji in accordance with the Emoji presentation properties. If the U+FE0E or U+FE0F variation selector is present, then it will override this value setting.

Formal definition

Initial value	`normal`
Applies to	all elements and text. It also applies to `::first-letter` and `::first-line`.
Inherited	yes
Computed value	as specified
Animation type	discrete

Formal syntax

font-variant-emoji = 
  normal   |
  text     |
  emoji    |
  unicode

Accessibility

While the use of emojis may seem fun, you should consider their impact on accessibility, specifically for users with visual and cognitive impairments. Consider the following factors while using emojis:

Display on screen-readers: Screen-readers will read out the alt text of an emoji. Keep this in mind to consider the position of an emoji in the content. Repeated and overuse of emojis will have a detrimental effect on screen-reader users. It is better to use emojis than emoticons; emoticons will be read out as punctuation characters.
Contrast with background: When using emojis, consider their colors and how that will work with the background color, especially if you have background colors that can change, such as light/dark modes.
Intent of use: Do not use emojis to replace words because your understanding of the emoji meaning may differ from that of the users'. Also consider that emojis might have different meanings in different cultures and geographies. Our recommendation is to preferably limit usage to commonly known emojis.

Examples

undefined

Changing the way an emoji is displayed

This example shows how you can render an emoji in its text or emoji presentation.

HTML

<p class="no-support">
  Your Browser does not support <code>font-variant-emoji</code>. This image
  shows how it is rendered with support.
</p>
<img
  class="no-support"
  src="./font-variant-emoji-example.jpg"
  alt="a telephone emoji show as text, black and white next to a telephone emoji shown as emoji full color and graphical representation" />

html

<section class="emojis">
  <div class="emoji">
    <h2>text presentation</h2>
    <div class="text-presentation">☎</div>
  </div>
  <div class="emoji">
    <h2>emoji presentation</h2>
    <div class="emoji-presentation">☎</div>
  </div>
</section>

CSS

@supports (font-variant-emoji: emoji) {
  .no-support {
    display: none;
  }
  .emojis {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: row;
    justify-content: space-around;
  }
  .emoji > div {
    font-size: 2rem;
  }
}

@supports not (font-variant-emoji: emoji) {
  .emojis {
    display: none;
  }
}

css

.text-presentation {
  font-variant-emoji: text;
}

.emoji-presentation {
  font-variant-emoji: emoji;
}

Result

Specifications

CSS Fonts Module Level 4

font-variant-emoji CSS property