[csswg-drafts] Add `prefers-handedness` media query for left/right-handed users (#13215)

slafleche has just created a new issue for https://github.com/w3c/csswg-drafts:

== Add `prefers-handedness` media query for left/right-handed users ==
I propose adding a new media query to detect user handedness preference, similar to existing `prefers-*` queries like `prefers-reduced-motion` and `prefers-color-scheme`.

**Proposed syntax:**
```css
@media (prefers-handedness: left) {
  /* Styles for left-handed users */
}

@media (prefers-handedness: right) {
  /* Styles for right-handed users */
}
```

**Use case:**
Handedness significantly affects UI interaction, particularly on mobile devices where touch targets and navigation controls should ideally be positioned for comfortable thumb reach. Approximately 10% of the population is left-handed, yet most mobile UIs default to right-hand optimization.

**Practical applications:**
- Positioning floating action buttons and navigation controls on the appropriate side
- Mirroring toolbar layouts for thumb accessibility  
- Adapting swipe gesture directions
- Optimizing one-handed mobile interface layouts

**Current situation:**
Developers currently have no way to detect handedness preferences without building custom in-app settings. This forces users to adapt to right-handed defaults or requires each app to implement individual solutions.

**Precedent:**
This follows the established pattern of existing accessibility and preference media queries (`prefers-reduced-motion`, `prefers-contrast`, `prefers-color-scheme`, etc.) that expose OS-level user preferences to web content.

**OS integration:**
Many mobile operating systems already have handedness settings (particularly for keyboard placement). This media query would expose that existing preference to web applications.

This seems like a straightforward accessibility improvement that would benefit a significant portion of users with minimal implementation burden.

Please view or discuss this issue at https://github.com/w3c/csswg-drafts/issues/13215 using your GitHub account


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Received on Saturday, 13 December 2025 16:18:30 UTC