HTML Guide for media queries
The projection media type was deprecated in Media Queries 4.
Media types describe the general category of a device, for example screen, print and speech.
CSS 2.1 and Media Queries 3 defined several additional media types (tty, tv, projection, handheld, braille, embossed, and aural), but they were deprecated in Media Queries 4 and shouldn’t be used.
Replace device-based media features with viewport-based features; use max-width instead of max-device-width.
max-device-width and min-device-width were removed from modern media queries because they target physical device dimensions, not the browser viewport. They fail on high‑DPI screens, resizable windows, and zoom scenarios. Use viewport-relative features like width, min-width, and max-width, which respond to the layout viewport and are supported across browsers. For device pixel density, prefer resolution (e.g., min-resolution: 2dppx) instead of -webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio. Keep breakpoints content-driven; pick sizes where your layout needs to adapt, not specific devices.
HTML Examples
Example causing the validator warning
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Deprecated Media Feature</title>
<style>
/* Deprecated: targets device width, not viewport */
@media only screen and (max-device-width: 480px) {
body {
background: pink;
}
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Deprecated media feature example.</p>
</body>
</html>Fixed example using viewport-based queries
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Viewport-Based Media Query</title>
<style>
/* Recommended: respond to viewport width */
@media (max-width: 480px) {
body {
background: pink;
}
}
/* Optional: high-DPI tweak using resolution */
@media (min-width: 481px) and (min-resolution: 2dppx) {
body {
background: lightblue;
}
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>Fixed media feature example.</p>
</body>
</html>Replace device-based media features like min-device-width with viewport-based features such as min-width.
The min-device-width and max-device-width media features are deprecated in Media Queries Level 5 and are flagged by validators. They target the physical device screen, which is unreliable across modern devices and zoom settings. Use min-width/max-width to respond to the layout viewport instead. This aligns with responsive design best practices and works consistently with zoom, orientation changes, and different device pixel ratios.
Common replacements:
- @media (min-device-width: X) → @media (min-width: X)
- @media (max-device-width: X) → @media (max-width: X)
- If you were targeting pixel density, prefer resolution (e.g., min-resolution: 2dppx) or feature queries as needed.
HTML Examples
Example causing the warning
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Deprecated media feature example</title>
<style>
/* Deprecated: targets physical device width */
@media screen and (min-device-width: 768px) {
.card { padding: 24px; }
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="card">Content</div>
</body>
</html>Fixed example (viewport-based)
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title>Viewport-based media queries</title>
<style>
/* Recommended: targets the layout viewport width */
@media (min-width: 768px) {
.card { padding: 24px; }
}
/* Optional: high-density displays */
@media (min-width: 768px) and (min-resolution: 2dppx) {
.card { border: 1px solid #ccc; }
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="card">Content</div>
</body>
</html>