How to detect the device orientation using CSS media queries?

Question

In JavaScript the orientation mode can be detected using:

if (window.innerHeight > window.innerWidth) {
    portrait = true;
} else {
    portrait = false;
}

However, is there a way to detect the orientation using CSS only?

Eg. something like:

@media only screen and (width > height) { ... }

Answer 1

CSS to detect screen orientation:

 @media screen and (orientation:portrait) { … }
 @media screen and (orientation:landscape) { … }

The CSS definition of a media query is at http://www.w3.org/TR/css3-mediaqueries/#orientation

Answer 2

@media all and (orientation:portrait) {
/* Style adjustments for portrait mode goes here */
}

@media all and (orientation:landscape) {
  /* Style adjustments for landscape mode goes here */
}

but it still looks like you have to experiment

Answer 3

I think we need to write more specific media query. Make sure if you write one media query it should be not effect to other view (Mob,Tab,Desk) otherwise it can be trouble. I would like suggest to write one basic media query for respective device which cover both view and one orientation media query that you can specific code more about orientation view its for good practice. we Don't need to write both media orientation query at same time. You can refer My below example. I am sorry if my English writing is not much good. Ex:

For Mobile

@media screen and (max-width:767px) {

..This is basic media query for respective device.In to this media query  CSS code cover the both view landscape and portrait view.

}


@media screen and (min-width:320px) and (max-width:767px) and (orientation:landscape) {


..This orientation media query. In to this orientation media query you can specify more about CSS code for landscape view.

}

For Tablet

@media screen and (max-width:1024px){
..This is basic media query for respective device.In to this media query  CSS code cover the both view landscape and portrait view.
}
@media screen and (min-width:768px) and (max-width:1024px) and (orientation:landscape){

..This orientation media query. In to this orientation media query you can specify more about CSS code for landscape view.

}

Desktop

make as per your design requirement enjoy...(:

Thanks, Jitu

Answer 4

In Javascript it is better to use screen.width and screen.height. These two values are available in all modern browsers. They give the real dimensions of the screen, even if the browser has been scaled down when the app fires up. window.innerWidth changes when the browser is scaled down, which can't happen on mobile devices but can happen on PCs and laptops.

The values of screen.width and screen.height change when the mobile device flips between portrait and landscape modes, so it is possible to determine the mode by comparing the values. If screen.width is greater than 1280px you're dealing with a PC or laptop.

You can construct an event listener in Javascript to detect when the two values are flipped. The portrait screen.width values to concentrate on are 320px (mainly iPhones), 360px (most other phones), 768px (small tablets) and 800px (regular tablets).