allowfullscreen
an HTML attribute for the iframe tag

What is the difference between allowfullscreen and allow="fullscreen"?

Answers:

  • The allowfullscreen attribute and the allow="fullscreen" attribute are both used in HTML to control fullscreen permissions for embedded content (like iframes), but they are used in slightly different contexts and have different implications.

    allowfullscreen Attribute:

    • Type: Boolean Attribute
    • Usage: It is used as a standalone attribute on an <iframe> element.
    • Example: <iframe src="example.html" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    • Functionality: When present, it allows the content inside the iframe to be viewed in fullscreen mode. If it is not present, fullscreen mode is disabled for that iframe.
    • Standard: It is a standard attribute applied directly on iframe tags, recognized by browsers.

    allow="fullscreen" Attribute:

    • Type: Feature Policy (Permission) Attribute
    • Usage: It is part of the allow attribute and can contain multiple permissions separated by a semicolon.
    • Example: <iframe src="example.html" allow="fullscreen; autoplay"></iframe>
    • Functionality: This provides a more granular permission control, allowing you to specify various features that the iframe content can use. The fullscreen permission within the allow attribute serves the same purpose as allowfullscreen, but it can also be combined with other permissions.
    • Standard: This is part of the newer specification for the <iframe> element, enabling broader permission management.

    Key Differences:

    1. Syntax and Structure:

      • allowfullscreen is a standalone attribute.
      • allow="fullscreen" is part of a more comprehensive permission system that can include multiple permissions.

    2. Compatibility:

      • All browsers that support iframes recognize the allowfullscreen attribute.
      • allow with permission specifications may not be supported in all older browsers, though modern browsers largely accept it.

    3. Usage Flexibility:

      • If you need to only enable fullscreen mode for an iframe, using allowfullscreen is straightforward.
      • If you need to specify multiple permissions (like autoplay, camera access, etc.), using allow with fullscreen is more appropriate.

    Overall, while both provide similar functionality regarding fullscreen capabilities, the allow attribute offers a more flexible and expandable approach, especially when additional permissions are needed for the embedded content.

Related Questions: