CSS 'backface-visibility' Property Explained

The CSS 'backface-visibility' property determines whether the back face of an element is visible when the element is rotated in 3D space. This property is crucial for 3D transformations, as it controls the visibility of an element's reverse side. When an element is rotated and its back face turns towards the viewer, the backface-visibility property decides if that back face should be displayed or hidden.

CSS 'backface-visibility' Property Examples

See the Pen CSS 'backface-visibility' Property by Webzstore (@webzstore) on CodePen.

These examples illustrate the impact of the 'backface-visibility' property on 3D-transformed elements. They offer a straightforward method to control the visibility of an element's backside during rotations and flips, thus enhancing the 3D effects in web design.

Browser Support For 'backface-visibility' Property

Source: MDN browser-compat-data 8.1.4, checked 3 October 2026. Prefixed support and implementations that were later removed are not counted, and some browsers list partial support or extra values. See the MDN reference for backface-visibility for the full compatibility details, including mobile browsers.

CSS Syntax of the 'backface-visibility' Property

backface-visibility: visible | hidden;

Usage of the 'backface-visibility' Property

Use 'backface-visibility' in scenarios involving 3D transformations, such as flipping cards, rotating elements, or creating 3D animations. This property helps create more realistic and visually appealing 3D effects by allowing control over the visibility of an element's backside. It's particularly useful in web designs with interactive elements that flip or rotate.

Property Values of the 'backface-visibility' Property

• Visible: This is the default value. When the element's back face is turned towards the user, it is visible.
• Hidden: The back face of the element is not visible when it is turned towards the user, making the element appear transparent from the back.