Microsoft’s improves text rendering in Chrome for Windows

In a significant development aimed at addressing concerns about text legibility and clarity, Microsoft has implemented changes within the Chromium framework to enhance text rendering on Google Chrome for Windows users.

These updates, expected to roll out in Chrome version 124, mark an important step forward in improving the browsing experience.

A key improvement involves Chrome’s adoption of support for contrast and gamma values sourced from the Windows ClearType Text Tuner. This widely-used tool in Windows environments allows users to customize text appearance for better readability.

With this integration, Chrome users will gain the ability to apply text contrast enhancements and gamma correction, similar to features already available in Microsoft Edge.

Previously, Chrome’s text rendering relied on fixed values within the Skia rendering engine, limiting its ability to leverage the benefits of ClearType.

However, Microsoft engineers, led by senior software development engineer Kurt Catti-Schmidt, have successfully integrated ClearType Text Tuner support into Chrome.

This ensures Chrome dynamically adjusts to changes in contrast and gamma settings, aligning its text rendering capabilities more closely with native Windows applications.

This initiative underscores Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing the browsing experience on Chromium-based browsers in the Windows ecosystem. Since transitioning its Edge browser to Chromium over five years ago, Microsoft has continuously worked to optimise various aspects of browsing.

From improving scrolling performance to refining touch support, these efforts aim to deliver a smoother, more user-friendly experience across both Edge and Chrome.

By addressing text rendering disparities between Chrome and Edge, Microsoft contributes to a more unified experience for Windows users, ultimately improving readability and usability for millions of users.