`math-shift` CSS property

Baseline Widely available

This feature is well established and works across many devices and browser versions. It's been available across browsers since January 2023.

The math-shift property indicates whether superscripts inside MathML formulas should be raised by a normal or compact shift.

Syntax

/* Keyword values */
math-shift: normal;
math-shift: compact;

/* Global values */
math-shift: inherit;
math-shift: initial;
math-shift: revert;
math-shift: revert-layer;
math-shift: unset;

Values

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

normal: The initial value, indicates normal rendering. Superscripts in MathML formulas use the superscriptShiftUp parameter from the OpenType MATH table.
compact: Indicates compact rendering. Superscripts in MathML formulas use the superscriptShiftUpCramped parameter from the OpenType MATH table, which is generally smaller.

Formal definition

Initial value	normal
Applies to	all elements
Inherited	yes
Computed value	as specified
Animation type	Not animatable

Formal syntax

math-shift = 
  normal |
  compact

Examples

Normal and compact shift

The following MathML displays two versions of "x squared" using a font with an OpenType MATH table. The math-shift property is used to raise the superscripts using the normal and compact shift.

CSS

math {
  font-size: 64pt;
  math-shift: normal;
}

.compact-shift {
  math-shift: compact;
}

MathML

<math>
  <msup>
    <mi>x</mi>
    <mn>2</mn>
  </msup>
  <msup class="compact-shift">
    <mi>x</mi>
    <mn>2</mn>
  </msup>
</math>

Results

Note that the second "2" has a more compact (lower) shift.

Specifications

Specification
MathML Core # the-math-shift

Browser compatibility

	Desktop					Mobile
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Opera	Safari	Chrome Android	Firefox for Android	Opera Android	Safari on iOS	Samsung Internet	WebView Android	WebView on iOS
`math-shift`	109	109	146	95	26.2	109	146	74	26.2	21.0	109	26.2
`compact`	109	109	146	95	26.2	109	146	74	26.2	21.0	109	26.2
`normal`	109	109	146	95	26.2	109	146	74	26.2	21.0	109	26.2