Question

Are unused CSS images downloaded by the browser or ignored?

Eg. in CSS rules which don't match any elements.

.nothingHasThisClass{background:url(hugefile.png);}

Or would this be browser-dependant?

Answer 1

This would be browser dependent, since it's how they decide to implement the spec, however in a quick test here:

• Chrome: Doesn't
• FireFox: Doesn't
• Safari: Doesn't
• IE8: Doesn't
• IE7: Doesn't
• IE6: Unknown (Can someone test and comment?)