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Unexpected layout shifts can be frustrating for website visitors and can negatively impact user experience. One common cause of these shifts is font fallbacks, which occur when the browser loads a fallback font before the custom font. This can cause elements to resize unexpectedly, disrupting the page layout. In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to fix and prevent layout shifts caused by font fallbacks.
Understanding Font Fallbacks and Layout Shifts
Fonts are a crucial part of your website’s design. When a custom font takes time to load, browsers display a fallback font initially. Once the custom font loads, text may resize or reflow, leading to layout shifts. These shifts can be especially problematic for users on slower networks or devices.
Strategies to Minimize Font Fallback Shifts
1. Use Font Display Swap
Modern CSS allows you to control how fonts are displayed during loading. The font-display property can be set to swap, which ensures the text is visible immediately with a fallback font and then swapped to the custom font once loaded. Example:
font-family: 'YourCustomFont', sans-serif;
font-display: swap;
2. Use Font Loading Strategies
Implement font loading strategies such as preloading fonts using <link rel="preload"> tags in your HTML. This hints to browsers to load fonts early, reducing delays and layout shifts.
Example:
<link rel="preload" href="path-to-font.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin="anonymous">
3. Use Fallback Fonts Wisely
Select fallback fonts that closely match your custom fonts in size and style. This minimizes visual differences during font swaps, reducing perceived layout shifts.
Additional Tips for Smooth Font Loading
- Optimize your font files for faster loading.
- Limit the number of web fonts used on your site.
- Use font subsets to reduce file size.
- Test your website on different devices and network conditions.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce layout shifts caused by font fallbacks. A smooth font loading experience not only improves usability but also enhances your website’s overall performance and aesthetic appeal.