How do I get the width and height of a HTML5 canvas?
To access the dimensions of an HTML5 canvas, you make use of the width
and height
properties.
This will return the intrinsic pixel dimensions of your precious canvas, and we're now safely stashed in your width
and height
.
Getting down to the nitty-gritty
For the size that flexes and flits: getBoundingClientRect
To play with dimensions that morph with CSS scaling and transformations, unravel getBoundingClientRect
:
But watch out: Remember these sizes vary when canvas.width
and canvas.height
stop to fit into their CSS outfits.
Don your artistic hat with canvas context
Every artist needs a palette. For a canvas manipulation artist like you, the context is your palette. Access your drawing arena with:
Your context allows a return journey to your canvas's native dimensions:
Handling dimensions with a swish and flick: destructuring
If conciseness is your jam, opt for object destructuring:
Stumbling stones on your canvas journey
When defaults play spoilsport
A canvas sans attributes falls back to 300x150 pixels. Enforce explicit dimensions unless you love the unexpected.
The tale of two sizings: internal vs. CSS
Lean in and know the difference between your canvas's internal dimensions (reined by attribute sizes) and CSS-bred sizes: the former determines drawing resolution, while the latter scales your canvas in full CSS regalia.
The browser compatibility brouhaha
Get dimensions right with due diligence—devote some time to account for browser compatibility troubles. The properties scrollWidth
and scrollHeight
are strangers to canvas dimensions, and in the Safari kingdom, they're downright ostracized.
A canvas that sizes up with window resize
Don't let your canvas dimensions hibernate while your window resizes:
Deploy your media query tactics or viewport unit maneuvers to mould the canvas into the space it adorns.
Your canvas in crackerjack web applications
A canvas finds its true calling in interactive web apps, where you perform real-time dimension magic. Up your game in interactive visuals, digital art, or even shadow DOM scenarios.
When it's animation time or you're riding the requestAnimationFrame
pony, syncing canvas size with animation loops will keep your performance high and visuals stunning.
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