env()

The env() CSS function can be used to insert the value of a user agent-defined environment variable into your CSS, in a similar fashion to the var() function and custom properties. The difference is that, as well as being user-agent defined rather than user-defined, environment variables are globally scoped to a document, whereas custom properties are scoped to the element(s) on which they are declared.

In addition, unlike custom properties, which cannot be used outside of declarations, the env() function can be used in place of any part of a property value, or any part of a descriptor (e.g. in Media query rules). As the spec evolves, it may also be usable in other places such as selectors.

Originally provided by the iOS browser to allow developers to place their content in a safe area of the viewport, the safe-area-inset-* values defined in the specification can be used to help ensure content is visible even to viewers using non‑rectangular displays.

For example, a common issue solved by env() is that of device notifications covering up some of the app user interface. By positioning fixed elements using env() you can ensure that they display in a safe area of the viewport.

Syntax

/* Using the four safe area inset values with no fallback values */
env(safe-area-inset-top);
env(safe-area-inset-right);
env(safe-area-inset-bottom);
env(safe-area-inset-left);

/* Using them with fallback values */
env(safe-area-inset-top, 20px);
env(safe-area-inset-right, 1em);
env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 0.5vh);
env(safe-area-inset-left, 1.4rem);

Values

safe-area-inset-top, safe-area-inset-right, safe-area-inset-bottom, safe-area-inset-left

The safe-area-inset-* variables are four environment variables that define a rectangle by its top, right, bottom, and left insets from the edge of the viewport, which is safe to put content into without risking it being cut off by the shape of a non‑rectangular display. For rectangular viewports, like your average laptop monitor, their value is equal to zero. For non-rectangular displays — like a round watch face — the four values set by the user agent form a rectangle such that all content inside the rectangle is visible.

Note: Unlike other CSS properties, user agent-defined property names are case-sensitive.

Formal syntax

env( <custom-ident> , <declaration-value>? )

Usage

To tell the browser to use the whole available space on the screen, and so enabling us to use the env() variables, we need to add a new viewport meta value:

<meta name="viewport" content="viewport-fit=cover" />

You can then use env() in your CSS:

body {
  padding:
    env(safe-area-inset-top, 20px)
    env(safe-area-inset-right, 20px)
    env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 20px)
    env(safe-area-inset-left, 20px);
}

Examples

Using env() to ensure buttons are not obscured by device UI

In the following example env() is used to ensure that fixed app toolbar buttons are not obscured by device notifications appearing at the bottom of the screen. On the desktop safe-area-inset-bottom is 0. However, in devices that display notifications at the bottom of the screen, such as iOS, it contains a value that leaves space for the notification to display. This can then be used in the value for padding-bottom to create a gap that appears natural on that device.

<main>Main content of app here</main>
<footer>
  <button>Go here</button>
  <button>Or here</button>
</footer>

body {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  min-height: 100vh;
  font: 1em system-ui;
}

main {
  flex: 1;
  background-color: #eee;
  padding: 1em;
}

footer {
  flex: none;
  display: flex;
  gap: 1em;
  justify-content: space-evenly;
  background: black;
  padding: 1em 1em calc(1em + env(safe-area-inset-bottom));
  /* adds the safe-area-inset-bottom value to the initial 1em of padding.
  a larger black area will display for a device that has a positive value for this variable. */
  position: sticky;
  bottom: 0;
}

button {
  padding: 1em;
  background: white;
  color: black;
  margin: 0;
  width: 100%;
  border: none;
  font: 1em system-ui;
}

Using the fallback value

The below example makes use of the optional second parameter of env(), which allows you to provide a fallback value in case the environment variable is not available.

<p>
  If the <code>env()</code> function is supported in your browser,
  this paragraph’s text will have 50px of padding between it and
  the left border — but not the top, right and bottom.
  This is because the accompanying CSS is the equivalent of
  <code>padding: 0 0 0 50px</code>, because, unlike other CSS
  properties, user agent property names are case-sensitive.
</p>

p {
  width: 300px;
  border: 2px solid red;
  padding:
    env(safe-area-inset-top, 50px)
    env(safe-area-inset-right, 50px)
    env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 50px)
    env(SAFE-AREA-INSET-LEFT, 50px);
}

Example values

padding: env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 50px); /* zero for all rectangular user agents */
padding: env(Safe-area-inset-bottom, 50px); /* 50px because UA properties are case sensitive */
padding: env(x, 50px 20px); /* as if padding: '50px 20px' were set because x is not a valid environment variable */
padding: env(x, 50px, 20px); /* ignored because '50px, 20px' is not a valid padding value and x is not a valid environment variable */

The syntax of the fallback, like that of custom properties, allows commas. But, if the property value doesn't support commas, the value is not valid.

Note: User agent properties are not reset by the all property.

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• var(…)
• CSS Custom Properties for Cascading Variables
• Custom Properties (--*)
• Using CSS custom properties (variables)
• viewport-fit (@viewport)