The image-set() CSS functional notation is a method of letting the browser pick the most appropriate CSS image from a given set, primarily for high pixel density screens.

Resolution and bandwidth differ by device and network access. The image-set() function delivers the most appropriate image resolution for a user's device, providing a set of image options — each with an associated resolution declaration — from which the browser picks the most appropriate for the device and settings. Resolution can be used as a proxy for filesize — a user agent on a slow mobile connection with a high-resolution screen may prefer to receive lower-resolution images rather than waiting for a higher resolution image to load.

image-set() allows the author to provide options rather than determining what each individual user needs.

The <image> can be any image type except for an image set. The image-set() function may not be nested inside another image-set() function.

A URL to an image.

<resolution> units include x or dppx, for dots per pixel unit, dpi, for dots per inch, and dpcm for dots per centimeter. Every image within an image-set() must have a unique resolution.

A valid MIME type string, for example "image/jpeg".

This example shows how to use image-set() to provide two alternative background-image options, chosen depending on the resolution needed: a normal version and a high-resolution version.

In the next example the type() function is used to serve the image in AVIF and JPEG formats. If the browser supports avif, it will choose that version. Otherwise it will use the jpeg version.

Providing a fallback

There is no inbuilt fallback for image-set(); therefore to include a background-image for those browsers that do not support the function, a separate declaration is required before the line using image-set().

.box {
  background-image: url("large-balloons.jpg");
  background-image: image-set(
    "large-balloons.avif" type("image/avif"),
    "large-balloons.jpg" type("image/jpeg")
  );
}

Browsers do not provide any special information on background images to assistive technology. This is important primarily for screen readers, as a screen reader will not announce its presence and therefore convey nothing to its users. If the image contains information critical to understanding the page's overall purpose, it is better to describe it semantically in the document.

This page was last modified on Apr 28, 2023 by MDN contributors.