How can I optimize font-display and reduce layout-shift?
Asked on Oct 04, 2025
Answer
Optimizing font-display and reducing layout-shift are key to enhancing user experience and improving Core Web Vitals. The `font-display` property helps control how fonts are rendered while they are loading, and minimizing layout-shift involves ensuring visual stability.
Example Concept: Use the `font-display` property in your CSS to specify how a font should be displayed while it is loading. The `swap` value is commonly used to ensure text is immediately visible using a fallback font until the custom font is fully loaded, reducing the risk of layout shifts. Additionally, preload critical fonts using the `` tag to further decrease loading times and improve layout stability.
Additional Comment:
- Use `font-display: swap;` in your @font-face CSS rule to minimize invisible text during font loading.
- Preload fonts with `` to prioritize their loading.
- Ensure fallback fonts have similar metrics to reduce visual differences and prevent layout shifts.
- Audit your site with tools like Lighthouse to identify and address layout shifts affecting CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift).
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