CSS `accent-color`

2021-08-11T00:00:00Z

Today's HTML form elements are difficult to customize. It feels as if it's a choice between few or no custom styles, or resetting input styles and build it up from scratch. Building it up from scratch ends up being much more work than anticipated. It can also lead to forgotten styles for element states (indeterminate, I'm looking at you), and the loss of built-in accessibility features. To fully recreate what the browser provides may be more work than you're looking to take on.

accent-color: hotpink;

CSS accent-color from the CSS UI specification is here to tint elements with one line of CSS, saving you from customization efforts by providing a way to bring your brand into elements.

Browser support

Chrome 93, Supported 93
Firefox 92, Supported 92
Edge 93, Supported 93
Safari 15.4, Supported 15.4

Source

Demo

The accent-color property also works with color-scheme, allowing authors to tint both the light and dark elements. In the following example the user has a dark theme active, the page uses color-scheme: light dark, and uses the same accent-color: hotpink for dark themed hotpink tinted controls.

Demo

Supported elements #

Currently, only four elements will tint via the accent-color property: checkbox, radio, range and progress. Each can be previewed here https://accent-color.glitch.me in light and dark color schemes.

Guaranteeing contrast #

To prevent inaccessible elements from existing, browsers with accent-color need to determine an eligible contrast color to be used alongside the custom accent. Below is a screenshot demonstrating how Chrome 94 (left) and Firefox 92 Nightly (right) differ in their algorithms:

The most important thing to take away from this, is to trust the browser. Provide a brand color, and trust that it will make smart decisions for you.

Extra: More tinting #

You may be wondering how to tint more than these four form elements? Here's a minimal sandbox which tints:

the focus ring
text selection highlights
list markers
arrow indicators (Webkit only)
scrollbar thumb (Firefox only)

html {
  --brand: hotpink;
  scrollbar-color: hotpink Canvas;
}

:root { accent-color: var(--brand); }
:focus-visible { outline-color: var(--brand); }
::selection { background-color: var(--brand); }
::marker { color: var(--brand); }

:is(
  ::-webkit-calendar-picker-indicator,
  ::-webkit-clear-button,
  ::-webkit-inner-spin-button,
  ::-webkit-outer-spin-button
) {
  color: var(--brand);
}

See the Pen Pen RwVBreJ by web-dot-dev on Codepen

Potential future #

The spec does not limit the application of accent-color to the four elements shown in this article, more support could be added later. Elements like the selected <option> in a <select> could be highlighted with the accent-color.

What else do you like to tint on the web? Tweet @argyleink with your selector and it might get added to this article!

Joey Arhar on web.dev

CSS `accent-color`

Supported elements #

Checkbox #

Radio #

Range #

Progress #

Guaranteeing contrast #

Extra: More tinting #

Potential future #