Layout Engine

Definitions

1. The component of a web browser (or similar rendering system) responsible for computing the size and position of every element on screen by interpreting HTML, CSS, and the box model. Major layout engines include Blink (Chrome), Gecko (Firefox), and WebKit (Safari).

   In plain English: The part of a web browser that figures out where every element on a page should go and how big it should be.

   Example: "The bug only reproduces in Safari because WebKit's layout engine handles flex-basis differently than Blink."

Related Terms

• Design Token
• Rasterization
• Reconciliation
• Render Tree
• Screen Buffer
• Web Container
• Web Crypto API
• WebCodecs
• WebXR
• Worklet