What Does `initial` Really Mean in CSS and When Should You Use It?

Uncovering the Enigma of the 'initial' Value in CSS

The concept of the 'initial' value in CSS often raises questions about its usage and implications. Despite assumptions that it reverts styles to an element's inherited or browser-defined defaults, a deeper understanding of the 'initial' keyword is necessary.

What Does 'initial' Really Mean?

Contrary to popular belief, the 'initial' value explicitly signifies the default value for a property specified in CSS specifications. It is independent of any browser or element-specific characteristics.

Take the example provided: the 'display' property for 'div.inline' is set to 'inline,' and 'div.initial' is assigned 'display: initial.' As expected, 'div.inline' displays elements with an inline layout. However, it's essential to note that 'div.initial' does not revert to the browser default of 'block' for div elements.

Instead, 'initial' means 'inline' because that is the designated initial value for the 'display' property. The browser's default for a div element is irrelevant in this context.

Limited Usefulness and Misunderstandings

The 'initial' value has minimal practical use due to its predictable behavior. One exception where 'initial' may be beneficial is for properties that have browser-dependent defaults, such as 'color.' By using 'color: initial,' developers can explicitly set the color to the browser's default value, avoiding potential cross-browser inconsistencies.

However, the 'initial' value is not widely supported, especially in older browsers like Internet Explorer. This limited compatibility further restricts its usefulness.

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